Danville City Hall was packed with firefighters and their families Wednesday morning as the department welcomed four new recruits. The new probationary firefighters are Justin Moore, Nathan Michael, Jaren West and Jeffrey Christison. Fire Chief Aaron Marcott says they will leave for training at the Fire Academy starting Monday. Then when they return they will be undergoing more training…
{Audio: ‘’These guys here will spend essentially the next five years going to some version of classes. Whether it be auto extrication, how to use our pumps and drive our trucks. And then into the more technical skills of ropes and knots, and hazardous materials and those kinds of things. We have a whole series of tech, and so basically their first five years is full of nothing but on-going training.’’}
When they return home from the fire academy they will each be assigned to a regular shift.
Chief Marcott (shown above) was asked whether the new candidates brings his department back to full strength….
{Audio: ‘’We’re working with one more candidate to get in here soon. That will bring us to the full strength we haven’t had in quite a few years. So we’re real excited about that. …We’ve had a couple of guys come off injuries so we’re kind of really at full steam right now, and it’s been a real good change.’’}
In addition to the four new probationary firefighters, Wednesday morning’s ceremony also included two promotions. Fire Lieutenant Chris McMahon was promoted to Captain, and Firefighter Shawn Pasley was promoted to Lieutenant. Chief Marcott said the four new firefighters are becoming part of a security blanket that Danville needs. Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr. thanked the men for being willing to serve and put their lives on the line.
News story here.
