Fannin County’s newest firefighters graduated from an intensive training program during a special ceremony Saturday, December 2, at Fire Station #1 in Blue Ridge.
Eleven men and women who were joined by family and friends were recognized for successfully completing 280 hours of training to become a certified Firefighter in Georgia.
During the ceremony, they were praised for their success, recognized as part of a “family,” and told they would never stop learning.
Christina Tipton told the group, “You will never stop learning.”
Tipton, who is compliance and evaluation manager with the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council, said, “Always listen to your elders,” speaking of veteran firefighters who will be able to teach faster, safer and better ways of doing things.
Tipton also addressed the mental health challenges that come with the job. She told the group they will see things, and have to accomplish things, others cannot imagine. She told them to always have someone to talk to and, if it is ever needed, to get help.
“You are doing something for your community in the worst times in their life,” she said. This will mean sacrifices in the new firefighters’ own lives.
Fire department Training Chief Michael Cornelius told the group their objective now is to grow.
He told them the “title of firefighter is not given, it is earned.”
Cornelius went over the training the group successfully completed that included 30 exams, a live burn exercise, tests on 32 practical skills, 200 skill checkoffs, and hazardous materials training, all within five and a half months of classes.
Assistant Fire Chief Rob Ross praised the firefighters saying it has been “good to see the level headedness and knowledge coming out of this class.” He said he has already witnessed both.
Fire Chief Larry Thomas echoed the class has done “exceptionally well.”
The new men and women firefighters were told by Tipton and others, “You’re in a family.”
In addition to the class recognition, three new firefighters were recognized for their efforts during training.
Jason Hall received the Academic Excellence Award, Matthew Curtis was honored with the Practical Skills Award, and Thomas Green was presented the Heart and Dedication Award.