Second Largest Class in Fire & Rescue History to Graduate Friday

Huntsville, Alabama (January 23, 2008) Nick Holman, age 25, and Daniel Beddingfield, age 24, know a lot about being a Huntsville Fire Fighter. After spending the last 20 weeks in the Fire Academy they now know a lot more. They are the 5^th and 4^th members in their family to wear the badge of Huntsville Fire and Rescue. Fire Chief Danny Loggins said he is proud to have them as part of the Department’s family when they join 23 other cadets who will be sworn in by Mayor Loretta Spencer this Friday, January 25^th at 4:30 p.m., Huntsville High School auditorium. It’s the first graduating class for Chief Loggins and the first class to be sworn in under the Huntsville Department of Public Safety. Loggins said nine cadets were already pre-certified as Emergency Medical Technicians. He added, “Under Mayor Spencer’s vision, the support of the City Council and the leadership of Director Rex Reynolds, Huntsville Fire & Rescue continues to grow and meet the demands of a flourishing city. Last year, we responded to a total of 16,943 calls for service, a 67% increase over 2006. Three-quarters of the calls were for medical emergencies and vehicle accidents.”

Reynolds said he is encouraged with the continued development, advancements and increased working relationships between his three agencies. Under Public Safety, Huntsville Fire & Rescue has a Written Directive System; identification and funding of new equipment and technology; consistency in hiring procedures among Police and Fire; restructuring of the Fire & Rescue Command staff; development and design of the first joint public safety precinct and development of a Public Safety website linking Police, Fire and Animals services.

The 25 cadets, ranging in ages from 19-48, will undergo one of their last training requirements on Thursday, January 24^th, when they repel from the sixth floor of the Marriott Hotel Space and Rocket from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.