[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6211851,"mediaKeyId","3688806-5cc6b01c19e431376eec26c02156d686","parentId",3688806,"title","Montgomery Fire Rescue swears in 17 recruits after 28-week academy","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",337000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3688806-5cc6b01c19e431376eec26c02156d686&start=337&end=337","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3688806-5cc6b01c19e431376eec26c02156d686/thumbnail_337000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6211851/Montgomery-City/Montgomery-County/Alabama/Montgomery-Fire-Rescue-swears-in-17-recruits-after-28-week-academy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211851-a34955eed328da1e00fb8d9ed5e0b0f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156828&Signature=aO6bEUR-7w6WVWADpXy~ohp-V8ESDvbe6MfqMZm~aMc7PPbsJU6GL4rnCSwsK3nNIOVjSZX7q3i~CDiBgkgucRaBIlrQvRCBNSgpZrNXEvbMPZfHANVVQzI1aKHA57-1RGQGU-yx~q5ou3Too6jVN-6~Tk-JMskEI0zDihZD30qQyk4D4-ROJeBRoa904AvvW-pUNmZVbVodizMmm5qt~BroJLRMUSqsBW7UqDafm8WuzR8evK9qxJf5TDD1vjeTsOpJPWBKg9Rw7qNZTPcDX0Olkab-rs9JYg3DPnqBGQXr9~2DW6KJuMUkJDhAXJ2v62eMVZIy7wg9ff2vh5WqQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montgomery City, AL","date","2025-06-06T04:19:49Z","article","Seventeen recruits completed a 28-week academy and were sworn in as members of Montgomery Fire Rescue during a graduation ceremony where Judge Milton J. Westry Sr. administered the oath of office.

Judge Westry led the class in the oath that binds new firefighters to uphold the U.S. Constitution, the Constitution of the State of Alabama and the laws and ordinances of the City of Montgomery. “The life that is lived for others is a very worthwhile life,” Westry told the new firefighters after administering the oath.

Assistant Fire Chief Ronnie H. Bozeman Jr. opened the ceremony and identified the graduates and training staff. He said the class began intensive training and that 17 recruits completed the program. “Because of [the training staff’s] hard work and dedication, we have 17 new firefighters that will begin the next step of their journey as a member of Montgomery Fire Rescue,” Bozeman said.

Chief Mifford Jordan congratulated the graduates and reminded them that graduation marked the start of ongoing learning and public trust. “Although you may graduate today, your learning does not stop here,” Jordan said, urging recruits to continue training and to “be proud, be brave, be strong, but most of all, be prepared.”

Awards presented by Montgomery Fire Rescue’s Division of Training included: the top EMT award to Erin B. Newgard; the top suppression award to Benjamin J. Schultz; and the Fire Chief Robert W. Greer leadership award (top trainee) to Houston L. Jocks.

A class representative addressed the audience on behalf of the recruits, saying, “This has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of our lives,” and thanked training officers, administrative staff and families for their support.

The ceremony included a training montage, the presentation of certificates to each graduate and closing remarks listing core expectations for recruits such as maintaining fitness, training beyond the minimum and leading by example. The training length (28 weeks), the number of graduates (17) and award recipients were stated at the ceremony. Other details about hiring outcomes, assignments or salary impacts for the new firefighters were not specified during the event.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","MONTGOMERY FIRE/RESCUE GRADUATION (June 5, 2025)","oneSentenceSummary","Seventeen recruits completed a 28-week academy and were sworn in as Montgomery firefighters; awards were presented for top EMT, top suppression and top trainee.","taxTitle","Montgomery City, Montgomery County, Alabama","taxId",3930,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6211856,"Montgomery Fire Chief Mifford Jordan to retire Aug. 1 after 40 years",863,1525000,2388000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3688806-5cc6b01c19e431376eec26c02156d686&start=1525&end=2388","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3688806-5cc6b01c19e431376eec26c02156d686/thumbnail_1525000.jpg","/articles/6211856/Montgomery-City/Montgomery-County/Alabama/Montgomery-Fire-Chief-Mifford-Jordan-to-retire-Aug-1-after-40-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211856-0435c2c0bdae94a3f4ff4c51ebc7576c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156828&Signature=GYVu2bByEEH~MYRsSQp-Cu7siwwRVJi7XxUpNUWcORxFAKQzhfFqDiFoSyupMgi4~xjuakIsoJImZyh1TWm-BlXdsHOEAFpkQzxoo7Nbr3KfyJsaqGxpcSlscUEw2Ruu2nuatJlk9uU0h3BBKu3Mn87NvuVMlC1YrjWWfmnFsULaybO8w8gaZU1fFGn4jY9rQ7ZfHZlm6M7e7e-8N3ivs~aWLzO~~~EBvSO~lRh7HSjXmRvVBDocgbua~htx2XpmKpQ9CZyM9hY1K6bSco3LsgmY4ceanJvZd1QpXMyvRmHTMyrOcqaAK57Ch1lS5QUglJ1JVqt4zDvJKe-Y~sVRaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fire Chief Mifford Jordan announced his retirement effective Aug. 1, closing a 40-year career that included nearly 19 years as Montgomery Fire Rescue’s chief and department accreditations and improvements.

Jordan, the department’s 13th fire chief, told attendees at the Class 2024 C graduation that he joined Montgomery Fire Rescue on July 16, 1985, and became chief on Dec. 22, 2006. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to be here today,” he said, noting the department’s ISO Class 1 rating and CFAI and CAAS accreditations earned under his leadership.

The announcement came during the graduation ceremony for 17 recruits who completed a 28-week academy. Jordan said the department had received “40 plus million dollars in all every shape and fashion” in recent years to support salary increases, equipment and training. Mayor Steven L. Reed amplified that praise, saying the city invested in new apparatus and pay increases during Jordan’s tenure: “We saw 7 new trucks, 5 pumpers … and the 32% salary increases all came at the advocacy of Chief Jordan,” Reed said.

Mayor Reed, who attended the ceremony, asked the audience to give Jordan a standing ovation and credited Jordan’s persistent advocacy for securing resources. “When you have someone like Chief Jordan who’s running the operation the way he has, you don’t need a helicopter mayor,” Reed said, adding the investments have been “money well invested.”

Others at the ceremony echoed thanks for Jordan’s leadership and the department’s partnership with the city’s public safety agencies. Capt. Keldrick R. Williams thanked Jordan for his mentorship during remarks to the graduating class.

The announcement at the ceremony was presented as an informational statement by Jordan; no council or personnel action was recorded during the event. The department’s future leadership transition and staffing or budgetary steps to implement the retirement were not discussed in detail at the ceremony and were not specified.","Fire Chief Mifford Jordan announced his retirement effective Aug. 1 and reflected on 40 years of service and department accomplishments, while Mayor Steven L. Reed and other city leaders praised investments in Montgomery Fire Rescue.","actionData","errors"]

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Montgomery Fire Rescue swears in 17 recruits after 28-week academy

Montgomery Fire Chief Mifford Jordan to retire Aug. 1 after 40 years