(Lawrenceville, Ga., May 18, 2016) – The Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services is proud to announce the graduation of personnel from an arduous training program that included a total of  16-months of classroom training, medical clinical rotations and learning basic firefighter skills.  The group includes a mix of new recruits and current personnel.  The class consisted of 38 new hires that started the combined training program back in January 2015. There were also an additional 9 current personnel who chose to enhance their skills by taking a hybrid class to become paramedics.  The hybrid paramedic class blends technology-assisted learning with face-to-face traditional education and allows seasoned personnel to take the training at their own pace.        

The department continues to hire entry level personnel under the combined “Firefighter-Paramedic Trainee” position.  Previously, the department would train new recruits to the firefighter-EMT level before assigning them to shift-work in the field.  The combined position enhances the initial training and means that recruit firefighters will go out to the fire station as certified paramedics.  The department has worked hard to streamline the training process and continues to produce quality personnel at the firefighter and paramedic level.  

The class graduated on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 during a prestigious ceremony held in the auditorium at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center.  Those graduating from the program along with their family and friends were joined by Fire Chief Casey Snyder, Commission Chairman Charlotte J. Nash, District 1 Commissioner Jace Brooks, District 3 Commissioner Tommy Hunter, County Administrator Glenn Stephens, Deputy County Administrator Phil Hoskins and Medical Director-Doctor Earl Grubbs as they participated in a badge pinning ritual.  Each praised the new recruits and current personnel for their hard work and dedication to complete the necessary training and encouraged them to excel in their chosen career field. 

Class speakers, Brian Davis (hybrid paramedic class graduate) and Daniel Burdette (firefighter-paramedic recruit class graduate), thanked the county staff, commissioners and fire department command staff for making opportunities available and for providing the best training resources and equipment to learn their newly acquired skills.

Brian Davis commented on the sacrifices made by the families during online classes and study time to complete the hybrid paramedic class.  Daniel Burdette commented on the group going from being total strangers, to becoming a well-trained and well-equipped team.  He reminded fellow graduates that the journey has only just begun.   

Several awards were given out by the instructors to students who excelled in different areas of their training.  Award recognitions included:

• Paramedic Academic Award – Brian Davis (hybrid class)
• Paramedic Star of Life Award – Joseph Walker (hybrid Class)
• Fire Recruit Star of Life Award – Ethan Talbot
• Fire Recruit Academic Award – Justin Ross
• Fire Recruit Core Values Award – Mike Garcia-Carreras
• Fire Recruit Physical Fitness Award – James Kraft
• Top Rung Award – Zach McCoy

Paramedic Graduates (current personnel-hybrid class)

Keith Benton                                 Zach Schaller

Ashley Blackwell                           Nick Savadelis

Brian Davis                                      Joseph Walker

Jared Joiner                                    Tim Waters

Joe Lord                                          

Firefighter-Paramedic/Recruit Graduates (new hires)

Clint Ashe                                        Bennett Guthrie

Hagan Bailey                                  Logan Hendrix

Clayton Barber                              JJ Kraft

John Blackburn                             Brandon Larsen

Ryan Bottongino                          James Lessard

Aaron Bousquet                           Andrew Lucas

Daniel Burdette                            Enrique Maza

Matthew Burton                          Zach McCoy

Wesley Butler                                Allen Nguyen

Rob Carpenter                              Michael Norwood                   

Rob Carsel                                       Tyler Robertson

Nate Comer                                   Justin Ross

Matt DeMorse                              James Senecal

Justin Douglas                               Justin Stephany

Josh Elkins                                       Ethan Talbot

Nick Elton                                        Seth Tyner

Devante Franklin                          Charles Waddy

Michael Franklin                           Kyle Winson

Mike Garcia-Carreras                 Dirk Winterboer