Haslet introduces new volunteer and junior firefighters; program partners with Eaton High EMT course

Haslet City Council on Feb. 2025 welcomed eight new volunteer firefighters and six junior firefighters to the city’s volunteer program. Fire leadership said 57 people applied and, after testing and interviews, eight were selected for the volunteer program and six for the junior program.

The program includes volunteers (age 18 and older) and junior firefighters (16–17 and enrolled in high school). Council and fire officials said several junior recruits attend Eaton High School’s EMT program, which provides a pathway to medical certification and complements the fire training offered by Haslet’s program. Chief Thetford was identified as the highest-ranking chief on the volunteer side and responsible for volunteer operations.

New volunteers and juniors introduced themselves to council. Among them:

- Brian Summers, from Keller, Texas, said he is a service assistant in Haslet. - Jackson Lee, from Justin, said he recently graduated from Northwest High School. - Ben Rudder, Northland Estates resident, said he is trying to be a volunteer firefighter. - Miguel Ruiz, born and raised in Fort Worth. - Ian Turk, Haslet resident, looking forward to volunteering. - Ethan Summers, Sandera Ranch resident, said he is excited to join the program. - Fazzy Jertie II, said he is taking steps to change his life and career. - Garrett Gibson, 18, enrolled at Eaton High School and part of the EMT program. - Carson Chini, from Haslet. - River Dominguez, 16, from North Star. - Dakota Reed, from Eagle Mountain. - Matthew Myers, 17, a junior in high school from Haslet.

Chief Thetford and Chief Mays led the introductions; Mayor Halsey thanked the recruits and the council invited the audience to give them a round of applause.

Why it matters: the volunteer program supplements Haslet’s paid fire staff with community volunteers and creates a training pipeline for young people interested in emergency response careers.