On Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, several fire departments recognized volunteer firefighters that completed the SWLA Volunteer Firefighter Academy. The volunteers were recognized for completing national certifications for Hazardous Material Awareness and Operations Level, Firefighter 1, and Firefighter 2.

The volunteers began the journey to achieve certifications on March 23, 2024 and completed approximately 240 hours of online classroom work, more than 100 hands-on practical skills, 40 written tests and 4 national certification exams. The class ended on August 5, 2024 with the following attendees becoming certified firefighters in less than 5 Months.

DeQuincy Volunteer Fire Department: Dawton Ashworth, Gabriel Hayes, Kirkland Mullen, Kamron Rainwater, Kyle Rainwater, Thomas Sanders, William Sanders, Loyal Westeen II, Riley Whittington

Ward Six Fire Protection District No. One: Landon Kennon, Tad McDaniel, Sara McDaniel

HOUSTON RIVER FIRE DEPARTMENT: Cason Chandler, Remy Klump, John Heffernan, Auston Pace, Logan Phipps

Ward 5 Fire Protection District 1: Raymond Dean II, Leroy Spellman

Iowa Volunteer Fire Department: Micheal Benton, Dawson Landry, Anthony Lanthier, Wade McCoy

Special Thanks to the Naval Sea Cadets for presenting the colors and National Anthem. First United Pentecostal Church for the use of the TD Cardwell Activity Center.

The DeQuincy News