With proud friends and family in attendance from all around central Florida, Sumter County Fire and EMS officially welcomed 10 new members to the organization.
The graduation ceremony, held in Bushnell on April 18, began with the entry of the new firefighters, followed by a presentation of the colors by the Sumter County Fire & EMS Honor Guard. Hired in January, the 10 new firefighters had just completed the department’s orientation training program, where they learn how the knowledge and skills they learned in fire school will be applied in Sumter County. These firefighters were hired to fill vacant part-time positions that became open through attrition. While all were hired as part-time employees, one has already been selected to work full-time, filling a position vacated by a recent departure.
The new firefighters all took the official oath of office, indicating their confirmation to uphold the high values and standards of the Fire & EMS Division, Sumter County, and the citizens they now serve. As each firefighter received their badge from the fire chief, they were able to invite a proud family member or friend to pin it on their uniform. All part-time firefighters train and work alongside the full-time staff, and are used to fill in when needed to reduce the department’s dependence on overtime. Personnel in these positions are also the first the organization looks to when future full-time openings become available.