Mayor Bill Haslam and Fire Chief Carlos Perez presented diplomas and badges to the 28 members of the 2005 Fire Recruit Class at a ceremony on Nov. 21st at North Knoxville Baptist Church.
"Firefighters symbolize the very best of who we are as a people and a society by risking their lives in service of others," Mayor Haslam said. "My hope for each of you is that are embarking on a long, proud and satisfying career."
"This is a demanding yet rewarding career, one that I am proud to have served for nearly 36 years," Chief Perez said.
This class of 27 men and one woman have completed 28 weeks of extensive firefighting, rescue, emergency medical and hazardous materials training. Each of the new firefighters is now state certified as an Firefighter I, Emergency Medical Technician I.V., Auto Extrication Technician and Hazardous Material Technician.
City Court Judge John Rosson administers the Oath of Office to 28 new City of Knoxville Firefighters.