Calgary Fire Department Celebrates First Recruit Graduates of 2013

After 12 weeks of firefighting, vehicle extrications, hose and ladder exercises, class room lectures and medical training, 33 Calgary Fire Department recruits graduated today. The new firefighters were celebrated by family, friends, Fire Chief Bruce Burrell and Mayor Naheed Nenshi this afternoon at the Calgary Fire Department Training Academy.

 

“I am very proud to welcome this class of new probationary firefighters,” said Fire Chief Bruce Burrell.  “They will be a great addition to our Fire Department as we are committed to sustainability; to managing growth, ensuring safe communities and leading in service to citizens.  With 33 new firefighters The Calgary Fire Department is well positioned to do this.”  

 

Today’s class of graduated recruits includes individuals from a variety of backgrounds, including former professional hockey player, air force corporal, cowboy hat maker and third-generation firefighter, whose father is a Captain with the Calgary Fire Department and whose grandfather is a retired Deputy Chief. The recruits began training in January 2013, and engaged in many training exercises spanning the broad range of incidents the Calgary Fire Department responds to. 

 

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi joined the graduation, welcoming the probationary firefighters as the newest City of Calgary employees. The graduated firefighters will be probationary for nine more months, as they complete training as active firefighters, working out of Calgary’s 40 fire stations.  

 

A new class of 45 recruits, the largest class to be scheduled, will begin training in May 2013. 

With today’s graduation, The Calgary Fire Department now has 1,437 firefighters serving Calgary communities.

 

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Onward/Creating a sustainable fire service through the ongoing development of our programs, people and places to meet the growing needs of Calgarians  /2012-2014 Council Priorities: Continue to ensure that citizen are satisfied with the quality of the services they receive.