Leggett Hails Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service’s Record Graduation; Recruit Class 37 is Largest Class in County Fire Service History

On July 11, 2013, the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service held its largest Recruit Class graduation ceremony in the County’s Fire Service history. Certificates for completion of the 26-week Firefighter and Rescuer training program were awarded to 70 graduates of Recruit Class 37 during the 1:00 p.m. ceremony held at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg. 

County Executive Isiah Leggett, Councilmember Phil Andrews, Fire Chief Steven Lohr and President of the Montgomery Career Firefighters Association, Local 1664, Jeffrey Buddle delivered remarks to the class, and an auditorium filled with their families and friends. 

“The dedication and sacrifice of firefighters really came to the forefront during the attacks of 9/11, and now again with the loss of the 19 elite ‘Hotshot’ firefighters in Arizona,’ said County Executive Leggett. “While this is a time to celebrate your achievements, this is also a time to remember how much will be demanded of you. On behalf of the County, we are all so grateful - in advance - for the extraordinary service you will provide to our citizens throughout your careers.” 

“You haven’t just joined a fire department, you’ve joined a family,” said Chief Lohr. “As a member of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, you will never be alone, there will always be someone with you during any challenge you may face. You’ve learned from the best and we will now expect the best from you.” 

This year, for the first time, the Chief Thomas Carr Leadership Award was presented to the member of the class who best represented the ideals and leadership of former Montgomery County Fire Chief Thomas Carr who recently lost his battle with MSA, a form of Parkinson’s disease. The winner, one of four recruits nominated by the training academy staff and voted on by class members, was Firefighter Andrew Tuzzio. 

There were over 1,000 candidates who applied to Recruit Class 37. Eighty-three were accepted into the training program. Seventy successfully graduated and have now joined the highly-respected ranks of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service. 

Recruit Class 37 – Coming To A Fire Station Near You Soon!

Recruit Class 37 – Coming To A Fire Station Near You Soon!, a set on Flickr.

By: Captain Jason Blake

Recruit Class 37 is finishing their training at the academy and have received their station assignments. The "Grand Finale" of their fire/EMS training occurs over a long and physical demanding day that the recruit's family gets to see them in action. Recruits are assigned to riding positions on engines, trucks, ambulances and rescue squads with lieutenants and captains from the field. They are dispatched and respond to calls on the 56 acres of the academy. A wide variety of calls occur over an eleven hour time frame with everything from building and car fires, to sick people and assaults. Recruits even deliver a baby in a car. There are over 50 scenarios that occur and are very realistic with smoke, fire and moulage of victims that make the most seasoned firefighter to look twice.

Thank you to Chief Clemens, Captain Carter, Lt. McDonald, Academy Staff and Adjuncts for training the largest recruit class in the history of the department.

Recruit Class 37 Getting Fit!

By: Lieutenant Pedro Meneses

Cardio is an integral part in fighting fires. In the video below, Recruit Class 37 is finishing up a 30 minute slow run. To their surprise, when it was all done, they had completed 2.5 miles.

Some had never run that far but when you run as a group and feed off each other anything is possible!