The Noblesville Fire Department (NFC) recently played host to a joint fire academy graduation at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center. Recruit Class 08-23 included a total of 23 firefighters from the Noblesville, Lebanon, and Zionsville fire departments. The graduating class included:
- Noblesville Fire Dept. – Aaron Adams, Heather Baker, Ryan Barnett, Josh Bickell, Josh Clark, Antonio Cortes, Craig Costlow, Nicholas Golab, Andrew Haskell, Joseph Izbicki, Tayler Kerr, Levi Lyons, Grant Meyers, Jacob Mills, Jack Parker, Mathew Pirrone, Brantley Springmeyer, Jordan Vlaskamp and Shelbie Whitaker
- Lebanon Fire Dept. – Rafe Crow, Kurt Keller and Chelsea Moore
- Zionsville Fire Dept. – Jonathan Rollins
NFD Chief Matt Mitchell gave the following charge to the graduates:
“For over 15 decades people of Noblesville have been able to call us in their time of need. Honor that tradition. You are automatically given trust based on the badges you have earned and now wear. But that doesn’t end today. You have to earn that trust everyday children will look at you like you are a superhero and parents will treat you like trusted family because of your integrity. When NFD knocks, people open the doors to their homes. They do this with total confidence because they know the professionals are here to help.”
The ceremony included the badge pinning by the graduates’ family members and loved ones, prayers by NFD Pastor Fritz Good, remarks from Recruit Class 08-23 Representative Aaron Adams, and the oath of office given by Noblesville Public Safety Director Chad Knecht.
Hamilton County Firefighters Local 4416 President Jim Butts served as emcee of the ceremony to his fellow Noblesville firefighters. Division Chiefs Joe Scheumann and James Macky oversaw the recruitment class.
The NFD Recruit class. (Photo provided by Noblesville Fire Department)
“Public safety is a top priority for the City of Noblesville and one of the four pillars of my administration,” Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen said. “Continuing to grow our outstanding fire and police departments is imperative to ensure our residents and businesses are as safe as possible. We are excited to have these new firefighters as part of our Noblesville community and wish them long and successful careers.”
The recruit academy lasts approximately 22 weeks. The first 15 weeks are devoted to gaining certification at Firefighter level I, II, hazardous materials and technical rescue – swift water, extrication, emergency vehicle operations, and prevention. The remaining seven weeks involved training as an emergency medical technician at the basic level.
Noblesville’s recruits have now completed all training and will be moving to their assigned shifts effective Monday, March 18. The new firefighters will complete a probationary year before being promoted to pipemen.
About the Noblesville Fire Department
The Noblesville Fire Department has 140 career firefighters, including 10 full-time staff positions, operating out of seven fire stations. NFD covers a rapidly growing area of 58 square miles within its jurisdiction. In addition to fire suppression, NFD provides emergency medical services (EMS), consisting of Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS/Paramedics), and maintains a Hazardous Materials Team, Dive Team, and Tactical Rescue Team. For more information, visit cityofnoblesville.org/fire.