NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Nashville Fire Department added 35 new firefighters to the department during a graduation ceremony at Madison Church of Christ on Friday, October 2nd at the Madison Church of Christ.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper and NFD Director Chief William Swann presented each of the graduates with a certificate of completion as their families, friends and fellow NFD personnel celebrated Battalion 82’s accomplishment.
Battalion 82 completed more than 1,000 hours of an intensive curriculum, including classroom lectures and hands on training.
Battalion 82 is also special because 8 existing members of the NFD EMS Division joined Battalion 82 halfway through to become firefighters. We also brought on 9 new hires who were already licensed EMTs or Paramedics to complete the fire academy.
“Every day we work hard to meet the needs of our growing community. Nashville’s growth has not slowed down nor has our desire to keep adding talented people to our ranks,” Director Chief William Swann said. “We will be a better department because of these amazing first responders who join our other dedicated personnel on this department.”
Mayor John Cooper congratulated the new graduates and administered the firefighter oath.
WKRN News 2’s Good Morning Nashville anchor Neil Orne emceed the graduation ceremony.
During the ceremony the NFD honored recruit John Perry for earning the honor of Valedictorian for academic performance in both the EMT and Fire Suppression programs.
Recruit Tracy Mayes earned the Fitness Award for his work while in the academy.
Recruit Luke Conrad earned The Esprit De Corp. (Spirit of the Body) Award. This award is earned by the member of the recruit class who best represents the heartbeat of the battalion.
The recruits will immediately join their fellow firefighters and EMS personnel in fire companies across Metro Nashville Davidson County.
