CHARLESTON, W.Va. –The Charleston Fire Department graduated its largest class in more than 30 years on Friday.
A social distanced ceremony took place at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center in Ballroom C where 19 recruits took the firefighter’s oath from Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin and Charleston Fire Chief Shawn Wanner.
“I am proud of them, I know what they go through. I had to go through it myself 25 years ago,” Wanner told 580-WCHS.
Wanner, who has been chief since November, said there is an unusually large class because of recent retirement. Classes are normally around 10 recruits, he said.
Graduates include Adam Miller, Taryn Conklin, Bradley Taylor, Trevor McGhee, Andrew Guthrie, Trey Wilcox, Nickolas Miller, Nicholas Devaney, Alexander Evans, Jacob Daniel, Scottie Dingus, Samuel Chaber, Zane Weese, Derick West, Austin Young, John Nesselrotte II, Andrew Riley, Justin Hawkins, and Isaac Brunetti.
Wanner added the graduates will be on the probationary period for one year, assigned to a particular station beginning February 14. Following that period, they will be ‘swing firefighters.’
Recruits began their rigorous training on October 13. Courses included becoming Emergency Medical Technicians, going through Firefighter 1 and Firefighter 2 classes, safety and survival class, Rapid Intervention Team training, hazardous materials awareness and operations classes, and core rescue courses.
Wanner said he is proud of his department’s work over the past year during the COVID-19 pandemic and looks forward to welcoming a new crew.