Macon Times

Monroe County Emergency Services (MCES) held a graduation ceremony on Friday morning (Dec. 2) at the Monroe County Administration Building to commemorate 10 new firefighter recruits completing their eight-week firefighter training course.

The 10 graduating recruits are the first group of MCES firefighters to complete their full-time firefighter training entirely in-house under the leadership of Monroe County Division Chief of Training Capt. Joshua Wagner. MCES Chief Matthew Jackson said the recruits, who had no previous firefighting experience, completed their entire training course either at MCES Station 14 (Dames Ferry) or at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GSPTC), becoming as Chief Jackson put it, the first MCES class ever to go from “zero to hero” in eight weeks.

The graduating Blueprint Class of 2022-2 included in alphabetical order: Essie Black, Brandon Bloodworth, Jake Harmon, Cody Johnson, Erin Hughes, Ryan Shelley, Austin Whatley, Samuel Williams, Ryan Wilhite, and Danielle Winston. Harmon received special recognition as the class’ “Top Recruit.”

Chief Jackson said the next step for many of the firefighters in the graduating class is to complete a 12-week emergency medical technician (EMT) course beginning in January. The completion of the firefighter course will enable the graduates to begin fighting fires immediately, but they will not be able to perform EMT duties until completion of the EMT course.

MCES Cpt. Christina Bramlett began the 20-minute-long graduation ceremony by playing a four-minute video with highlights of the recruits’ training experience.

Chief Jackson then gave his remarks, saying there’s no better place to serve and help a community than through fire service. Chief Jackson said the new recruits are now part of the MCES “family” and are expected to adhere to the standards necessary to keep the “family” together. He said some of the main ones include: “show up,” “be eager to learn,” “accept criticism when given,” and “always give 110%.”

Chief Jackson also noted that today’s graduation is just the beginning of their careers and not a final chapter. He said being an effective firefighter requires lifelong training, and their goal as new members of the MCES family should be to become the type of firefighter who “makes things happen.”

Capt. Wagner told the graduates that they have chosen a career of “honor,” “trust,” and “loyalty.” However, he cautioned that if that trust is ever violated, the new firefighters would “no longer be one of us.” He said the true test of loyalty won’t come until they face their worst trials.

Bramlett then called out the names of each graduate and handed out graduation certificates to them. Each recruit them shook hands with Chief Jackson, Capt. Wagner, and MCES Battalion Chiefs Jack Harper and Clay Walton.

Monroe County Commission Chairman Greg Tapley, District 1 Monroe County Commissioner Lamarcus Davis, and Monroe County Manager Jim Hedges were all in attendance for the graduation ceremony. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Chairman Tapley welcomed the new recruits to Monroe County’s “team.”

Chairman Tapley said, “Some of us think that you get the right person in the right job, give them the right equipment, and get out of their way and let y’all do what you’re gonna do. We thank y’all so much for all your hard work. Congratulations on this achievement and we’re looking forward to great things from y’all. We appreciate you taking care of the people of Monroe County.”

The recruits and the estimated 50 to 60 family members and friends on hand then enjoyed a post-graduation reception featuring cupcakes.

Original source can be found here.