CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Charleston Fire Department is 12-members stronger following swearing-in ceremonies Friday.
The new firefighters recently completed 13 weeks of training, Charleston Fire Department Public Information Officer Ryan Pennington said.
“To watch them go from a citizen and make their way into becoming a firefighter/EMS responder–the transition is actually pretty remarkable,” Pennington said. “They come to us as kids and we send them out to the street as firefighters.”
Pennington said the new class trends younger with the average age between 21 to 24.
“They come from different walks, different backgrounds, they came from different trades and different professions before they decided to join the Charleston Fire Department,” he said.
Pennington said the new firefighters will likely spend 25 to 30 years with the city.
Friday’s activities included a ceremony and lunch at the state capitol.