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Austin Fire Department pins 40 new firefighters from Cadet Class 139
Summary
Forty recruits from Austin Fire Department cadet class 139 completed a 28-week academy that began Jan. 13, 2025, received awards and were sworn in at a graduation ceremony at Great Hills Baptist Church.
Forty recruits from the Austin Fire Department’s cadet class 139 were formally pinned and sworn in after completing a 28-week academy that began Jan. 13, 2025, department leaders said at a graduation ceremony at Great Hills Baptist Church.
Battalion Chief Donnie Watson, who served as master of ceremonies, said the 40 graduates “have met our rigorous physical, mental, and ethical standards” and will take on the responsibilities of Austin firefighters. The ceremony included award presentations, a valedictory speech, a recorded message from retired U.S. Navy SEAL Rorke Denver and the administration of the oath of office.
Why it matters: new firefighters increase department staffing and represent the department’s most recent recruits after months of intensive training. The graduates were recognized with several department awards that highlight physical fitness, leadership and classroom performance and then took the department oath before beginning probationary assignments.
The department presented named awards. The Hammer Award, voted on by team leaders for “outstanding effort and dedication,” went to Cadet Richard Bragdon. The most physically fit award went to Cadet Bridal Messick, and the best all-around award — symbolized by a traditional leather helmet — was presented to Cadet Emmanuel Canarabi. Zachary Patty was named valedictorian for having the highest combined grade point average on EMT and fire exams.
Valedictorian Zachary Patty addressed classmates and guests, urging his peers to keep training and to adopt three attributes he said were essential for the job: “Be proficient, persevere, and stay humble.” A recorded message from retired Navy SEAL and author Rorke Denver — included by invitation of a cadet — emphasized continuous improvement and mentorship; Denver told the graduates to “constantly improve your position.”
Staff and department leaders credited volunteer team leaders and training staff with the recruits’ preparation. Assistant Chief Tom Vokey (training division) and senior team leaders including Fire Specialist Larry Potvin and others were recognized onstage; Watson thanked civilian training, administrative and logistics staff for supporting the academy.
Chief Joel G. Baker administered the oath of office. During the ceremony cadets were pinned by family members and friends; the program included an invocation by Chaplain Chuck Davis, the presentation of colors by the Austin Fire Department honor guard and a musical performance by a cadet.
The department showed a video overview of the class’s training, with footage and instruction emphasizing medical response, rescue techniques, apparatus operation and live-fire/forcible-entry training. Department speakers repeatedly framed the graduation as both a celebration of completing training and the start of a probationary period in which new firefighters will continue on-the-job learning.
The ceremony listed a full roster of cadets and their pinning sponsors; department leaders encouraged probationary firefighters to continue training, seek mentorship and uphold departmental values as they transition to operations. Firefighter Solis and other line staff led closing remarks and the new probationary class was formally dismissed to begin station assignments and on-the-job training.
