Several Departments welcomed the County's newest volunteer firefighters on February 8, 2017.

Over the past six months, recruits from Nokesville, Stonewall Jackson, Occoquan Woodbridge Lorton, Dale City and Dumfries-Triangle Volunteer Fire Departments have gone through exhaustive training to complete the certification requirements to become Firefighters in Prince William County.

The lead training instructor, Lieutenant Smallwood, addressed the crowd of 56 family, friends and colleagues. He reminded everyone of the nearly twenty students which began their training in August of 2016 and congratulated the final eight men and women who finished their training the last week in January.

The students all received hundreds of hours of classroom training, practical training, examinations and live burns. Upon completion each student is certified by the Virginia Department of Fire Programs in Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Hazardous Materials, Rapid Intervention, MayDay and Liquid Propane Gas emergencies.

The Chief of PWC Department of Fire and Rescue, Kevin McGee also spoke and encouraged each of the students and thanked all of the support from family and friends. His comments were followed by the guest speaker from Dumfries-Triangle VFD, Chief Miles Young, who emphasized the many differences and improvements that have been made in the fire service since his career began in 1970. He closed by challenging each of the recipients to continue their training and to never stop climbing.

In closing, each graduate was presented with a helmet by their Departments officials and their certifications. Afterwards, the new firefighters along with their family and friends enjoyed refreshments and desserts to celebrate their hard work and achievements.

Dumfries-Triangle VFD is proud to recognize Firefighters Paz and Wright assigned to Lieutenant Frezza on Crew 3.