News: Ceremony for Crest Forest Fire - Fourth Academy

Crest Forest Fire's - Fourth Fire Academy Graduates

By Cat Robertson

It was standing room only at the graduation ceremony for Crest Forest Fire's Fourth Academy Paid-Call Firefighters held Tuesday night at the Crest Forest Fire Protection District (CFFPD) office. Firefighters, friends and family gathered at the ceremony to watch the graduates receive their badges from Chief Michael Sherman.

Receiving badges were Dustin Reed, Matt Northup, Matt McNay, Adam Hastert, Burl Baxter, Bill Tomeck, Vincent Vine Jr. and Robert Goss.

“We would like to recognize these gentlemen as graduates of the Fourth Academy,” said Chief Sherman. “We're going to give them their oath of office and pin their badges on them, and then we can all congratulate them.”

The graduates then repeated their oaths as Chief Sherman led them: I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith. Accepted as a public trust of honor. Held so long as I am true in the ethics of the district and the fire service. I will strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God in my chosen profession, the fire service.

Millions of brave men and women have repeated these words, and have protected communities all over the country at the risk of life and limb. In light of the recent fires, this oath seems to mean much more to mountain residents than it ever has before. It takes a special kind of person to swear before God to protect perfect strangers.

The outpouring of love and support for all firefighters has been overwhelming, and these brave souls are heroes in the eyes of millions.

As Chief Sherman called the graduates' names, they stepped forward to receive their badges and oaths of office. Chief Sherman noted Dustin Reed was not present as he was on duty with the California Department of Forestry.

After the graduates received their badges, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause, and those honored stood proudly wearing their newly earned badges and holding their scrolls containing the oath they had just taken.

THE ACADEMY

Vincent Vine Jr. was one of the eight graduates of the Fourth Academy. He hadn’t always planned on working with the fire department, but things changed for him when his brother-in-law became a firefighter/paramedic. “I originally wanted to go into special engineering, but two years ago my brother-in-law, Mark Wright, became a firefighter/paramedic with Station 7 in Ontario and I liked everything I heard about the fire department, so I took EMT classes and graduated in December 2005.

“I learned a lot in the academy,” he continued. “They exposed us to quick tid-bits of what they do—raising ladders, and making sure we do it the way Crest Forest Fire does it, pulling and reloading hoses. They also explained the types of engines and their purpose. It was kind of a quick dry-run of everything. It was basically pretty cut and dried, and it’s our duty to take what we’ve learned and build upon it.

“I’m looking forward to getting my foot in the door with Crest Forest Fire. I want to eventually get on as a full-time firefighter. In the spring of 2009 I’m planning to return to school in the Paramedic Academy. I’m really looking forward to that.”

Source: Article Crestline Courier