For good morning ladies and gentlemen on behalf of fire chief David pavlet in the Arlington County Fire Department welcome to the graduation ceremony for Arlington County Fire dep Department’s recruit class 82 the graduating class and the department would like to thank you for attending today’s ceremony the recruits began training for
The position of firefighter EMT with Arlington County about 28 weeks ago the intense instruction theyed during recruit School included certification programs such as firefighter 1 and two emergency medical technician emergency vehicle operator and hazardous materials operation as well as many other essential skills that you will see later
Today and hear about later in the program while this is a formal ceremony it does Mark a very happy occasion the recruits have worked very hard under stressful conditions so today if you have a family member friend or favorite recruit please do not hesitate to express your pride by clapping or
Cheering for them when you see them or they receive their badge and helmet and diploma or an award look you can even Boo and Jer them if you want just keep it clean just keep it clean now now we traditionally do a very poor job of this so we’re going to practice okay
Everybody ready oh look there is a family member friend or favorite [Applause] recruit okay not too bad not too bad it is with great pleasure that I introduce to you the members of recruit class 82 recruit training staff please escort class 82 into the room that’s [Applause] sh [Applause] [Applause] ladies and Gentlemen please rise for the presentation of the Colors by the Arlington County fire department Honor Guard the Pledge of Allegiance and the retirement of the colors Mark time detail help present arms I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
Republic for which it stands one nation under God and Justice order arms right Face Forward March please be seated I would like to introduce dignitaries who are with us tonight or today I’m sorry please stand when your name is called and remain standing please hold your applause until the end from
Arlington County government Arlington County Board member Mr Matt [Applause] deeran the staff of the Arlington County Fire Department fire chief David pavlet assistant chief Jason Jenkins deputy chief Amanda Reeves deputy chief John Snider battalion chief bosephus Bennett battalion chief Jeffrey Kramer battalion chief Trevor Burell battalion chief Matthew Herbert our medical director and
Battalion Chief Reed Smith the training academy staff deputy chief Amanda Reeves battalion chief bosephus Bennett Captain Tyson Stanis loss Captain Marcia Hill Lieutenant Matthew orloski Lieutenant Joseph weeks firefighter Steven frsky firefighter a Ibrahim Abdul jaad Ubie Lieutenant Henry Spencer firefighter Sunny Murphy firefighter Joshua wise firefighter Ryan Buckley firefighter Darren
Gorski we would also like to acknowledge and thank visiting officials from other County and state agencies and neighboring fire departments Arlington County Fire thanks you for your attendance and your support of this department it is now my pleasure to introduce the chief of the Arlington County Fire Department chief David [Applause]
Pavlet thank you Captain Santini and good morning morning ladies and gentlemen good morning I would like to thank the graduates of recruit class 82 for your hard work and dedication we are very proud of your accomplishments class 82 personifies Drive grit and dedication you’ve made a noble choice to serve in
Public safety requires selflessness you have shown the willingness to learn and the desire to work for a greater purpose I commend and deeply respect your decisions to serve others your sacri rice for each other you’ve earned this trust you’re on a successful path in the fire department
We want each graduate to have a long and safe career serving the visitors and residents of Arlington County our communities have high expectations they deserve a department that is ready and prepared you focused on mastering the fundamentals and details of our profession most importantly I want you
To live our values of Courage equity and integrity I’ve been impressed what I’ve seen from you during your class I agree with the academy staff you are ready to serve as you join more than the 400 responders and staff from the fire department we will set an example of honorable and dedicated community
Service we want to open many professional opportunities and interesting career paths we will join you in physical fitness and behavioral wellness support we have an obligation and a duty to provide you a safe and engaging work environment class 82 will become another page of the 8 decade plus history of the career fire
Department the training academy staff instructors have been modeling the drive the reliability and the teamwork needed to be successful they have they are some of the most dedicated we have in the department they live what we expect from all they are invested in your future and
Will be a call or text away to help it serves us well to appreciate and recognize the privilege that our community has given us I’m excited for you to apply what you’ve learned the county Department your family and friends are ready to help and support
You as you start the next phase of your career in the Arlington County Fire Department please be safe focus on your health reach out for help when you need and take care of each other be inquisitive and learn be proud that you have earned the uniforms and the badges
That you wear finally working together is one of the ways we are we can face the challenges that lie ahead of us I hope to see you in your new station soon thank you very much Captain Santini it is now my pleasure to introduce assistant chief of the Arlington County Fire Department
Assistant chief Jason Jenkins good morning recruit class 82 congratulations on a job well done members of the Arlington County Fire Department families friends and loved ones of recruit class 82 thank you for your unwavering support because the graduates of recruit class 82 would not be here today without all of those previously
Mentioned while rightfully so we we want to and we will celebrate recruit class 82 it’s my honor and privilege to recognize those directly responsible for their success for the last 6 months and I’m looking at each of you on the front row the training Cadre facilitated LED taught
Supported each of you to get you to this point today and today you will never forget this will be with you 25 plus years from now when you retire from this great organization Captain gray Captain Hill Lieutenant orloski Lieutenant Spencer Lieutenant weeks firefighter jaad rsky Murphy Gorski
Buckley wise each of you are responsible for recruit class 82 you will never forget them and you will forever leave a mark on them recruit class 82 you likely recall a conversation we had the first week your very first week six months ago during that conversation I requested that you look to
Those here before you those who instructed you to this point those who have served the department for up to 40 years in the room that day you successfully navigated this facet of your career this is the basics the fundamentals the training Cadre provided you the fundamentals you are a team today and
Albeit sad this is likely the last time you will all be together at one time time because tomorrow in the coming days you will be part of a different team you will be in different firehouses different teams but there you will build and you will grow everything that’s been taught all
The fundamentals and Basics will now be expanded I wish you the absolute very best as you Endeavor and you move forward again welcome to the Arlington County fire department and to the training Cadre I appreciate each of you and respect you for everything you’ve done for recruit class 82 thank [Applause] you
It is now my pleasure to introduce uh today’s keynote speaker Captain Tyson [Applause] Stannis good morning everyone I am uh let me get my get my notes straight up here I’m captain Tyson Stannis laa I’m the professional development program manager for acfd um I’m housed at the five Training
Academy where your family members are reported for the last 28 weeks so welcome to you uh welcome to family friends spouses loved ones partners and anyone who came from free food the free food is not here it’s at family day so we’ll see you later uh I’d like to start off with some
Thank yous um number one I’d like to thank the Cadre um without them none of this would be possible uh recruit class 82 would not have been as successful as it was so please give it up for the codre one more time so firefighting is a very unique
Profession and at the heart of it lies a set of values that go Way Beyond the Realms of Duty values that shape not only the firefighters themselves but also the communities that they serve family fraternity inclusion are not just words they’re the foundation upon which public service is
Built the term family goes far beyond Blood Ties five Fighters form a unique and tight-knit family bonded by shared experiences challenges and triumphs that come with the job they understand that to function as a cohesive unit they must all rely upon one another just like a real family
Would the firehouse becomes a home away from home and the fellow firefighters become brothers and sisters firefighters see beyond the Flames they see the families affected the homes lost the lives saved and the lives changed they recognize the importance of community and the role it plays in the well-being of
Individuals the commitment to protecting and serving is not just a job but a familial Duty a responsibility to safeguard the well-being of every member of their extended community and their extended family and we’re all part of this unique fraternity together part of this profession a profession built on the
Shoulders of Trailblazers like Molly Williams Judy Brewer our very own deputy chief Tiffany Wesley a profession where we have the privilege to serve not only each other but the community the Brotherhood and Sisterhood formed within the fire service transcends the professional realm it is a bond forged in The
Crucible of adversity and built on on trust respect and unwavering support firefighters share a common purpose to save lives and property and in doing so they develop a camaraderie that is often unbreakable but sometimes as with any familial unit any family this conflict this dispute there sometimes entities and
Individuals that we have no control over that may want to turn back the hands of time to the way we used to do things and quell all the progress that we’ve made over the years so I challenge recruit class 82 think for yourselves I’ll say it again recruit class 82 learn to think
For yourselves because you are our future and you are the only ones that can write the ship and steer Us in the right direction be uncommon in the world and an environment where common and Status Quo is sometimes rewarded hold yourself to a higher standard in a world that often emphasizes
Individualism you all epitomize the strength that comes from unity and if you ever and you may if you ever question yourselves as to why you joined this fraternity why you joined this profession take a step back and remember what originally motivated you whether it was you did it for the
Love of the job you just wanted to serve or maybe you just needed to put some food on your family’s table it doesn’t matter what your motivation was take it back to the day where it wasn’t about promotion it wasn’t about validation belonging to a group or a
Silo ultimately we all joined this profession so that we can serve we are Servants of the public from you all the way to the fire chief from the fire chief all the way down there’s no one person in this room that’s more special than anyone else because we are all
Servants there’s no esoteric set of skills that we can teach you there’s no superpowers that we can give you for you to fulfill your inherent right your an inherent duty to serve that being said it’s all right you can take it if you want we no you’re all good it’s all it’s all
Good it’s all good so members of recruit class 82 I want you to remember this moment remember this feeling because what you’re experiencing right now is your day one and as you move forward in your in your careers never forget your day one one because from time to time you run
Into individuals who forget that there was a day that they knew zero about this profession that they had a day one too one day you’ll someone will come up to you with less time on they’ll be younger maybe in age maybe in tenure and they’re going to be in the
Struggle they may not know as much as you know and they may need more work than anyone else but I tell you what your job is not your job is not to decide who belongs here and who can serve your job is not to decide who fits in those days are long
Gone however your job is to become a beacon of light for that individual why because they are only experiencing what you’re experiencing right now they’re experiencing your day one their day one and it may not look like your day one their path may not have been your path
But that’s the type of diverse environment that the fire service provides to us right and I challenge you to understand that there is power in that diversity in tolerance there’s power in inclusion and there’s power in the understanding that each and every single one of you is intelligent and you bring
A unique gift to our organization that you can contribute speaking of day ones mine was uh June 23rd 2006 I sat right where you are didn’t know anything zero but the further further I I go into my career and the farther up I Ascend in the organization I understand I’ll have more
Impact I have more influence so as a representative of our leadership of acf’s leadership I don’t want to leave any Stones unturned I don’t want to leave any any murky Waters as I stand before you today I I want to be absolutely crystal clear where our organization and our
Leadership stands moving forward that this is our organization this is our department not mine not yours all of us if you’re male female black white latinx this Belongs to You Asian Persian doesn’t matter what religion you represent what community lgbtqia Plus this department belongs to you it doesn’t belong to one particular
Silo it doesn’t belong to one particular group and it doesn’t belong to one particular person this is ours me included so as you move forward in your careers and you move out into the field never forget this always hold yourself to a higher standard and hold yourself to our core values Pride transparency
Professionalism leadership integrity and last inde definitely not not least inclusion because all the diversity in the world means nothing without inclusion and you all represent our future you represent our diversity and you represent the diasporal spirit of not only our nation but our communities and our department so recruit class 82
Congratulations wel welcome to the field Welcome to our family and in the words of Sean Carter don’t be good be great I’ll see you guys at work thank you very [Applause] much recruit training staff please approach the podium for presentation of awards morning everyone morning it’s
Going to be a tough act to follow but uh I’m GNA do my best uh my name is firefighter paramedic Darren Gorski um stationed at station 4 on SE plud normally uh temporarily assigned to the FDA uh which was a great pleasure of mine serving uh Squad five so um up here
To present some awards uh first one is going to be the most improved Physical Fitness Award as the name implies this award recognizes a recruit that demonstrated the most Improvement on our PT evaluations throughout recruit school when I think of this award I’m reminded of Sir Ernest Henry shackleton’s family motto for dangler
Can you help me out with that what fortun vincimus that’s right by endurance we conquer through perseverance fortitude and strength of character you will overcome any obstacle the recruit that is going to be awarded the most improved physical fitness exhibited all these traits pushing to be a better version of
Himself every single day not only in PT but also in the classroom his Improvement throughout the academy is a big reason why Squad 5 finished on top of so many Squad competitions so if you all help me congratulate recruit Spencer gretz on the most improved Physical Fitness Award
All right well because I had the honor of uh serving Squad five I get to stay up here for another award the uh this award is going to be uh going to go to the recruit who displayed the highest level of physical fitness within the class the physical
Fitness award is presented the recruit who demonstrated the highest level of Fitness based on the results of our PT evaluations at the beginning midpoint and end of recruit School looks like the Secret’s out Squad five was just built different this is due in large part to
The the efforts of the recruit I’m about to call up here in a minute I’m sure you’ve all familiar with the saying as iron sharpens iron so a man sharpens another man I believe each member of our Squad pushed others to improve in all areas of
Recruit school and when it came to PT we were all chasing this recruit me included he elevated everyone around him because he wasn’t willing to take a day off so if you all help me in congratulating recruit Clayborn on the physical fitness award good morning everybody good morning my
Name is Lieutenant Henry Spencer I’m at the FTA I will be assigned to station nine on B B B platoon where’s of hard today I’m sorry um and I have been granted the privilege to present the peer leadership award for recruit class 82 now this person was selected by their
Fellow recruits for outstanding leadership among them and their guidance throughout recruit School leadership is defined usually as a but really when we think about it’s more like a verb right when we think of true leadership it’s not about the position or the person but it’s about the actions
That they do for the people they serve now this individual was encouraging motivating and was never afraid to tactfully speak up on the behalf of his class he helped their fellow recruits with studying staying many hours after school even when he himself did not want to or did not need to I should
Say he he showed wisdom Beyond his years by the way he approached every situation in school and class 82 agrees with this sentiment because they were the ones who nominated and voted for this individual and me I can’t wait to see the impact that this young man will have
On his department so all in attendance is my honor to present the peer leadership award to recruit Warren Jackson [Applause] [Laughter] I think it’s me good morning everybody my name is Joshua wise I’m assigned to 9C um currently down at the until Sunday uh it’s my honor to introduce the
Valid Victorian of the class um he’s LED with humility hard work dedication teamwork and he’s got it he has them all um he’s done it with such at such a young age uh the funny story is he had to take a day off of recruit School the first week to go graduate high
School um he set the bar High he’s always led by example uh let’s give it up for recruit Aiden [Applause] Lake thank you right recruit class 82 will now receive their badges helmets and certificates would the recruits fall out by Squad and those family members who have been
Chosen to participate please assemble on the right side of the auditorium Chief pets chief Jenkins and chief Reeves please join us at the podium recruit Rolph dangler Fire Station 8 C platoon if anyone would like to if anyone would like to take pictures you can feel free
To come down front here and grab some pictures [Applause] recruit Warren Jackson Fire Station 9 B platoon [Applause] recruit Tucker Hedrick Fire Station 2 a platoon oh recruit suan G Fire Station 3 B Platoon [Applause] recruit Zachary Litwin fire station 4 a [Applause] platoon [Applause] recruit miles Tinsley senior fire station 4 SE
Platoon [Applause] recruit Nicholas Bond fire station 10 B platoon [Applause] w recruit Aiden Lake fire station 6 a [Applause] platoon recruit Shirley [Applause] Montiel Fire Station 3 SE Platoon [Applause] recruit Robert Mulligan fire station 9 SE [Applause] platoon [Applause] recruit Steven Cornwell fire station 9 a platoon [Applause]
Recruit James Hang Fire Station five a [Applause] soon [Applause] recruit khed Taylor Fire Station 4 B Platoon [Applause] recruit Marquee Clayborn fire station 10 sea Platoon [Applause] play recruit Spencer gretz Fire Station 1 a [Applause] platoon recruit Aiden higs Fire Station 2 B [Applause] platoon brother okay oh no
Recruit Elijah McCarthy Fire Station 1 sea [Applause] Platoon okay recruit class 82 please rise Chief pavlet will now administer the oath of office thank you again Captain Santini the community County Board and the county manager’s office extends trust and confidence in the department every day we must earn this now I’m going to
Ask you to make a commitment by taking the oath to serve as a probationary firefighter and emergency medical technician class 82 about stand by class A2 raise your right hand I do solemnly swear youly swear that I will Faithfully execute that I will Faithfully execute the duties and responsibilities the duties and
Responsibilities as a firefighter EMT as the firefighter EMT of the Arlington County Fire Department of the Arlington County Fire dep I will be a person I will be a person of strong character and courage of strong character and courage I will stay mentally and physically fit I will mentally and physically fit I
Will to the best of my abilities I will to the best of my abilities preserve and protect the lives and property to preserve and protect the lives and property of those who I serve of those who I serve class 82 about face ladies and gentlemen recruit class 8 [Applause] too class 82 about
Face please have a seat captain santin the recruit class would like to make a presentation to the training academy staff probationary firefighter Cornwell please approach the podium so on of we’d like to present this to the col for all you guys’ hard work and dedication thank you appreciate [Applause]
You many people do not realize that the fire service has a very rich and story history filled with Triumph and tragedy I’m sure the recruits will tell you that one of their favorite classes was learning about that history isn’t that right yes sir that’s right within that history tradition plays a very important
Role even to this day from our rank structure the insignias we wear the terminology that we use Dalmatians uh the fact that engine companies are better than truck companies to the role of rookies in the firehouse these tra Traditions Define who we are and what we do one of the
Traditions that the training academy has is the issuing of the class guideon the time has come to retire the guideon for recruit class 82 class 82 please rise for the retirement of the guidon accepting the guidon on behalf of the training staff will be firefighter ENT Steven hrapsky please come forward
To retire the guideon probationary firefighter higs please come forward and present the guideon the guideon is one of the key team building components in recruit school it is not a flag it is considered a member of the class it accompanies them wherever they go the class as a
Team is responsible for the security and the care of the guideon to never let it alone or touch the ground it represents dedication to Pride teamwork respect if disrespected the guideon was rolled and the training academy staff would determine what action was needed to restore it the time has come to
Retire the guide on no other class will have that guide on it belongs to class 82 and I urge the members as they Embark upon their career to always remember what it stands for class 82 you may be seated Captain Hill please approach the podium need my spectacles all right well greetings
Everyone I am captain heel I’m assigned just for these guys to the train Academy for this session recruit class 82 as the resource officer ladies and gentlemen honored guests and class 82 yes class 882 no longer shall I call you recruit class 82 today that chapter has been
Fulfilled now please give yourselves a round of applause great as we conclude this significant ceremony I want to express my heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of you for your extraordinary achievement no matter what has led you to this path your dedication and hard work have brought you to this significant
Milestone and I am we are immensely proud of you to our distinguished guests thank you thank you for gracing us with your presence and sharing in this joyous occasion your support means the world to us I must extend and sincere apology on behalf of Captain gray who due to unforeseen
Circumstances could not be with us today he genuinely wanted to be in attendance and sharing this special moment with all of you g turn it off but it’s okay your strength and service deres on unity and compassion continue to uplift one another as you navigate on your new Venture CL
82 as you continue your journey be open-minded in the words of First Lady Michelle Obama you cannot make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might be in the words of VP Camila Harris don’t let anyone ever tell you who you are today marks A New Beginning never forget your start
As members of recruit class 82 and let that humble beginning fuel your spirit towards a successful finish therefore class 82 if you want it and work for it it shall be yours believe in yourself remember the resilience within you and cultivate a positive change in our department once again
Congratulations and may your paths be filled with strength and purpose I look forward to training and working with each of you as you continue your journey welcome to your next chapter class 82 please stand you are dismissed class 82 walking out ladies and gentlemen this concludes today’s ceremony please join us at the
Fire training academy for refreshments and family day thank you yes ma’am for
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