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Pasadena swears in 17 new firefighters after 20-week academy
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Summary
Seventeen recruits completed a 20-week Pasadena Fire Department academy and were sworn in during a public graduation that included an invocation, remarks from city leaders and a badge-pinning ceremony.
Seventeen recruits from the Pasadena Fire Department’s Class 25-1 received badges and took the oath of office at a public graduation ceremony after completing a 20-week academy.
Christian Miller, battalion chief of the training division, opened the ceremony and introduced dignitaries, including acting City Manager Matt Hawksworth and Mayor Victor Gorgorra. Miller thanked the training cadre, administrative staff and volunteers who supported the program and described the academy’s new format that brought in subject-matter experts to help train recruits over the past 20 weeks.
The event included an invocation by retired Pasadena fire captain Andy Banks, who prayed for recruits and their families and quoted Isaiah 41:10. Acting City Manager Matt Hawksworth and Mayor Victor Gorgorra offered congratulatory remarks. The mayor celebrated Pasadena’s civic institutions and its community, telling the graduates that the city is "the center of the universe" as he praised their decision to serve the roughly 145,000 residents of Pasadena.
Deputy Chief Tim Sowell and other department leaders emphasized teamwork, continued training and the responsibilities that come with the badge. Firefighter Joseph Hurley, representing the class, thanked instructors and family, recalled training highlights including wildland week and urged his classmates to ‘‘be better than yesterday, every single day.’’ The class presented a plaque to the department as a traditional class gift.
A video produced by department photographer Jamie Nicholson honored the recruits’ time in the academy. Each recruit was called forward to have family members pin their badge while a department photographer took official photos.
Mark Jomski, the city clerk, administered the oath of office; recruits repeated the pledge to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California" and to "well and faithfully discharge the duties of Pasadena firefighter." Fire Chief Chad Augustine closed the ceremony, urging graduates to maintain fitness, training and professionalism as they begin active duty.
The ceremony concluded with the recruits dismissed to begin their service in the Pasadena Fire Department.
