May 17, 2012 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2012-37) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org TWENTY-EIGHT NEW FIREFIGHTERS SET TO START THEIR CAREERS Mobile Fire-Rescue Officials will hold graduation ceremonies on Friday, May 18, for twenty-eight newly trained firefighters who have completed four and a half months of firefighter and medical training. The ceremony, set to begin at 10:00 a.m., will be held at the Main Branch of the Mobile Public Library in Bernheim Hall, which is located at the corner of Government Street and Washington Avenue in downtown Mobile. As is with tradition in the fire service, the graduates will take the oath of office, receive their badges and fire helmets. Graduates were trained in firefighting, basic emergency medical technician (EMT) and hazardous materials response and awareness. In addition to the physical requirements, each recruit spent approximately 640 hours meeting the academic requirements consisting of 21 subject areas and have received Firefighter I and II certification from the State of Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards Commission. Those graduating are: Seth K. Blitch Joshua N. Hults Robert A. Brown Robert E. Martino Justus E. Browning Richard G. Miller Brandon C. Buchel Jennifer A. Nelson Thaddeus O. Burns Joseph L. O’Conner Chad H. Cates James A. Ramsay Demone L. Clarke David W. Reed Oliver Cooper Jeremy A. Richardson Charles M. Couey, Jr. Kevin M. Rupert Leslie D. Crosby Ramie D. Russell John S. Hall Gabriel M. Sewell Orie H. Hamilton Joseph V. Stolfi Patrick S. Henderson David R. Turner Buck D. Hicks Joseph P. Watson ###