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Dunedin swears in nine new firefighters, highlights local recruits
Summary
Dunedin City Commission held a swearing-in and pinning ceremony July 1 to introduce nine new hires to the Dunedin Fire and Rescue Department, emphasizing local ties, diverse experience and plans for paramedic certification.
Dunedin swore in nine new members of the Dunedin Fire and Rescue Department during a July 1 City Commission workshop, where city leaders and the fire chief introduced recruits and family members and completed an oath and pinning ceremony.
The new hires include Emma Berger, Mikaela Bauer, Deshaun (last name not specified), Colin Burford, Zachary Harner, Derek Johnson, Sawyer Keller, Ty Parish and Ron Shelley. Fire Chief (name not specified) opened the presentation with short career synopses, noting varied backgrounds from other Florida departments, Sunstar and U.S. military service.
The ceremony combined an oath and pinning. The fire chief said, “this is, like, our second, time we've done a group swearing in process,” and read each recruit’s service summary aloud as families and commissioners joined for photos. Recruit highlights given by the chief included Berger and Burford joining in December 2024 after prior paramedic work; Bauer and others completing state EMT or firefighter training; Derek Johnson’s 13 years as a U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer; and Ron Shelley’s eight years with Colorado Springs Fire Department.
Vice Mayor (name not specified) and several commissioners offered brief remarks praising the recruits’ service and the department’s community role. Commissioners noted local connections, including that Sawyer Keller is a Dunedin High School graduate, and thanked families in attendance.
The commission recessed briefly for the ceremony and later resumed the workshop agenda. No formal commission action was required for the swearing-in beyond the public recognition and the oath administered by the mayor and chief.
The new hires are expected to begin department assignments and, where noted, pursue firefighter certification programs or paramedic training later this year.
