New Island firefighters sworn in at Orange Beach ceremony

New Island firefighters sworn in at Orange Beach ceremony

There are 17 new firefighters in the ranks of local departments following the Nov. 17 Alabama Fire College graduation ceremony at the Island Church in Orange Beach. The class included eight representing Orange Beach Fire & Rescue and three from Gulf Shores Fire & Rescue. The class fulfilled all of the requirements set forth by the Personnel Standards Commission.
The ceremony included the badge pinning by the graduates’ family members and loved ones; a certificate ceremony led by Assistant Chief of Training Kevin Lanford; and the oath of office given by Orange Beach Fire Chief Mike Kimmerling. OB Mayor Tony Kennon welcomed the class and Saraland Fire Department Chief Jeff Ludlam gave the graduation address. Also participating were Foley Fire Chief Joey Darby, chairman of the Alabama Fire College, and Pastor Fred Franks, chaplain of Orange Beach Fire & Rescue.
The graduates included William Robert Bishop, Tony David Colquitt, Matthew Shea Etheredge, Charles Fulton Jones, Alexander Nathaniel Moore, Patrick Shane O’Neill, Gavin Tolbert and Joseph Brian Toomey from Orange Beach, and Preston Bradley Traywick, Colton O’Neal Deblieux and Jean Tinoco from Gulf Shores.
The academic award was earned by O’Neill, and the recruit class chose Colquitt for the leadership award.