We are proud to announce that Firefighter Joey Tuel and Firefighter Samantha Marcus have graduated from The Chester County Department of Emergency Services Firefighter I academy on Wednesday, May 2, 2018, with 14 of their classmates.

Fire I has equipped FF Tuel and FF Marcus with foundational knowledge and skills required to act safely and competently as interior Fighterfighers. They received training and certifications in Hazmat Operations, CPR/AED, Bloodborne Pathogens, NIMA IS 700, and a live Structural Burn Session. They completed their training with a written and practical test for PA State Volunteer Certification and National Firefighter I.

It was clear that the hard work completed by classmates of class 18112001 unified them. Their spokesperson, Firefighter William Pyne of Lionville Fire Company, reflected on the previous weeks of training. He spoke about how they will come across some obstacles in the future as first responders but may overcome if they use the tools and skills learned during Fire I, along with the guidance and wisdom from those with many years of experience. He closed with some passages from Oh, the Places You’ll Go! By Dr. Seuss:

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy (or gal) who'll decide where to go.

Graduates completed the ceremony with the Firefighter Oath:

I am a firefighter, it is my duty to have a concern for the safety of others. I shall serve with a willingness to all those in need. I will have the courage to share and endure the ordeal of those when called upon. I will have the strength to bear whatever burdens that might be placed upon me. I recognize the supreme sacrifice that has been made by those before me and I will always honor their memory with my dedication and service t the protection of life and property.

After ten weeks of intense training, drills, and studying, their dedication has paid off and they were each presented with a black helmet back at our station to complete their commencement on Wednesday.