St. Cloud Fire Department Celebrates Recruits’ Graduation and Promotions

(KNSI) – The St. Cloud Fire Department Recruit Graduation and Promotion Ceremony was held Friday afternoon at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. Two firefighters are graduating from the Recruit Academy. Six Fire Apparatus Operators were promoted. Captains, a division chief, a battalion chief, a deputy chief, and an assistant fire marshal were all honored as well.

St. Cloud Fire Chief Matthew Love stresses the thorough nature of the process, saying, “We are very aware that the public doesn’t get to choose who comes when they call those three numbers, so we better be on our game. This department takes that very seriously. We train constantly and so, yeah, we’re pretty particular about who gets to ride that big red truck.” Love says the hiring process is fairly long and arduous, including interviews, practical skills and written tests, plus a physical agility test.

The chief adds the job and the celebration are a family affair, saying, “Part of it is cool because families are here, right? Families pin these badges on us, kind of a symbol of the family at home is just as important as the family in the firehouse. So it’s kind of a celebration day for everybody involved.” The addition of new firefighters, along with some retirements, helped push the numbers honored.

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