Philip Sparn | ClarksvilleNow.com
psparn@ClarksvilleNow.com
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The Clarksville Fire Department swore in five of Clarksville’s newest firefighters at the Mayors office on Friday.
The five new firefighters took the oath of office in front of Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan and Clarksville Fire Chief Michael Roberts, along with other fire department officers and their family members.
Derrick Williams, Bryan Hardwick, Andrew Yaceczko, Evan Rasch and Michael Long all received their official Clarksville Fire Department badges and nameplates at the ceremony.
Mayor McMillan said the new firefighters will help keep Clarksville safer.
“This is one of the most important things we can do as a city is to bring on board people who will protect the health and safety and lives of the citizens of Clarksville,” said McMillan. “And, that’s what we did today by swearing in these new fire-fighters who are going to get right out there, go to work and make sure people are safe.”
Williams, one of the new firefighters, said the swearing in ceremony was one of the best things that has happened to him in his career.
“I’m proud to be a part of the Clarksville Fire Department and I am looking forward to providing protection to the community I was born and raised in,” said Williams. “Making it through it through the 10 months of testing and interviewing was tough but it is all worth it.”
Clarksville Fire Chief Michael Roberts said the new recruits went through a lengthy application process, then an in-depth physical and mental testing process before they embarked on a 5-week hands-on training program.
The new firefighters have one more week of hands-on training before they complete the preliminary training process.
“They have gone through a long process to get to where they are; which means we are able to get the finest, most outstanding and most up-standing individuals to be with the Clarksville Fire Department,” said McMillan.
Roberts said the new firefighters will help keep the Fire Department fully staffed and will help them do their jobs more safely and efficiently.
Photos by Michael Rios | Clarksville Fire Department