Nashville Fire Department Adds 52 New Firefighters

The Nashville Fire Department added 52 new firefighters to the department during a graduation ceremony at Madison Church of Christ on Friday, October 31.

Among the recruits are 4 Metro Nashville Police Officers, including 1 Sergeant and 3 Detectives who successfully completed NFD's EMS Training. The officers will return to MNPD as licensed EMTs.

NFD Director Chief William Swann and Mayor Freddie O'Connell presented each graduate with a certificate of completion. Deputy Director Chief Tim Henderson and Chief Training Officer Moses Jefferies IV presented the new firefighters with their official badges. Family, friends and fellow NFD personnel celebrated Battalion 91's accomplishment during and following the graduation ceremony.

Battalion 91 completed more than 1,000 hours of an intensive curriculum, including classroom lectures and hands-on training. Their hands-on training included live fire training, swift water rescue training and high angle rescue techniques.

"Every one of our recruits commit to a physical and educational challenge unlike any other they have ever experienced." Nashville Fire Department Director Chief William Swann said, "Battalion 91 took on the challenge and Friday we celebrate them accomplishing this initial goal. We know this is just the beginning and we look forward to having them join our NFD family to serve our community."

During the ceremony the NFD awarded Battalion 91 Recruit Isaiah Kiefer as Valedictorian for Fire Suppression training with a GPA of 98.7%. NFD awarded MNPD Detective Gary Anderson as Valedictorian for EMS Training with a GPA of 94%.

Battalion 91 Recruit Robert Bowman Jr. earned the Physical Transformation Award for accomplishing the most physical transformation during his time at the academy. Recruit Bowman earned this award for his "Relentless Effort" while undergoing daily physical fitness training and firefighting training activities.

Battalion 91 Recruit Ardonus Scruggs earned The Leadership Award. This is awarded to the recruit who worked to guide, inspire, and direct the members of the battalion to common objectives and goals.

The recruits will immediately join their fellow firefighters and EMS personnel in fire companies across Metro Nashville Davidson County.

The NFD thanks Pat Lawson, Executive Director of Leadership Middle Tennessee, for serving as emcee for the graduation ceremony.