New Firefighters Join South Alabama Departments
Twelve recruits earn badges after rigorous training
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Twelve new firefighters have officially joined the ranks of South Alabama fire departments following the Orange Beach Fire Rescue Recruit Class 24-01 graduation ceremony on Friday, December 13, 2024. The ceremony, held at the Orange Beach Performing Arts Center, marked the culmination of three months of intensive training and certification, with recruits now serving in departments across Orange Beach, Spanish Fort, Gulf Shores, and Theodore Dawes.
The young men took to the stage as recruits and stepped down as sworn firefighters, with eight representing Orange Beach Fire Rescue, two with Spanish Fort Fire Rescue, one with Gulf Shores Fire Rescue, and one with Theodore Dawes Fire Rescue.
After three months of training, the class fulfilled all the requirements set forth by the Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards Commission.
The ceremony included the badge pinning by the graduates’ family members and loved ones; a certificate ceremony led by Training Officer Austin Lesinger; and the oath of office given by Orange Beach Fire Chief Jeff Smith. Pastor Chad Stafford of Coastal Church gave the graduation address.
The graduates include the following:
- Brayden Blackwell (Orange Beach Fire Rescue)
- Theodore “Tres” Cozine (Theodore Dawes Fire Rescue)
- Joshua Crocker (Spanish Fort Fire Rescue)
- Samuel Dettling (Orange Beach Fire Rescue)
- Cadin Fischer (Orange Beach Fire Rescue)
- Eric Freedman (Orange Beach Fire Rescue)
- Scott Gilmore (Spanish Fort Fire Rescue)
- Jarrett Harrison (Orange Beach Fire Rescue)
- Jeffrey Ihle (Orange Beach Fire Rescue)
- Gabriel “Gabe” Morin (Gulf Shores Fire Rescue)
- Cecil Murphy (Orange Beach Fire Rescue)
- Dariusz Tumilowicz (Orange Beach Fire Rescue)
The Director’s Award for Academic Excellence was earned by Eric Freedman, and Recruit Class 24-01 chose Tres Cozine for the Leadership Award.
Training officers were Austin Lesinger and Alissa Jacques. Training Division instructors included Orange Beach Fire Medic Jordan Flynt, Orange Beach Fire Engineer Chad Hartley, Orange Beach Fire Medic Zachery Lavender, Gulf Shores Fire Lt. Michael Lucas, and Orange Beach Fire Medic James McMurray.
The city wishes each new firefighter the best of luck as they enter into the fire service to serve the citizens of Theodore, Gulf Shores, Spanish Fort and Orange Beach.
Congratulations to all the graduates. Thank you for choosing to serve your communities.
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