Fire trucks lined the parking lot of Arlington's Mac Bernd Professional Center as the City's Fire Department celebrated the graduation of Basic Training School XXII. The 26 new first responders were the top 1.8% of their applicant pool, earning coveted jobs in the City's fire houses.
The graduate class, referred to as BTS XXII, consisted of military officers and several first responders that earned Life Saving Awards during their six-month probation, the last step before graduation.
What stood out most to Arlington Fire Department Chief Don Crowson was the group's character and empathy.
"They truly express feeling and compassion toward our community," he said. "They're all great technically and capable firefighters, but there's a lot of heart in this group, a lot of outward unsolicited acts of kindness. They have a culture of community and spirit of giving that we want to replicate in future classes."
Most graduates expressed relief and happiness after completing the rigorous process of joining the fire department that takes roughly a year to complete, while their families joined them, radiating pride.
"I'm feeling really well. Glad to be off probation," graduate Monty Stayner said with a smile as he held his newborn daughter.
To join AFD's ranks, the graduates went through a lengthy application process that involved a written test, aerobic run, physical and interviews. After making the cut in each of those rounds, the trainees began the Fire Academy, an intense three-month or four-month training period depending on whether they had certain certifications.
After leaving the Fire Academy, the first responders then have a six-month probation before being elevated from "probie," a term used to describe rookies, to an official officer. During the probationary period the trainees work in fire stations under the supervision of seasoned colleagues, wearing green visors to help their co-workers differentiate them from the rest of the crew.
At the graduation, Chief Crowson emphasized that being part of the Fire Department is a serious business, but that it's also a family business. "Tonight is about family," he said before he honored the first responders.
Chief Crowson recognized each graduate separately, speaking about the individual traits that helped him or her accomplish a goal that is physically and emotionally demanding. Then, the graduates' families and friends were invited to walk to the front and pin the new badges on the firefighters.
To make the transition official, Mayor Cluck swore in the class before the many City Council members in attendance and top AFD staff shook their hands, welcoming them to the AFD family and congratulating them on their achievement.
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