Seven Hattiesburg Fire Department recruits received their badges and their new commissions during a ceremony last week at the Police and Fire Training Academy.
More than 100 family members, friends and fellow first responders welcomed the seven new firefighters. The members of Recruit Class 1801 who graduated from the Fire Academy were Da’Quintan Dean, Edward Jones, William Madden, John Holland, Cedric Knott, Brady Miles Jr. and Kirk Nelson.
Mayor Toby Barker praised the family members who attended the graduation.
“I want you to know that their training is only the beginning,” he told the current firefighters. “Their next lesson will come from you and you have the responsibility to teach them the skills of firefighting and teach them those skills the right way. Know that your words, your attitude and most importantly your actions will be the most powerful teaching tools they will see.” Use that power in this opportunity.”
The training academy staff included Battalion Chief Robert Stephens, director; Lt. Will Lewis, training officer, and Kay Davis, Administrative Assistant.
