25 new firefighters

Today was a big day for the Colorado Springs Fire Academy. 25 trainees are officially firefighters after 17 weeks of rigorous training.

Mayor John Suthers swore in the members of the Class of 2017-1.
Friends and families packed the Woodmen Valley Chapel for the commencement ceremony, which was emceed by our own Jon Karroll.

Loved ones had the honor of pinning on the new firefighters’ badges.
Tomorrow will be the first day on duty for some of the graduates.

“I think we all are excited to hit the line and just perform what we’ve been practicing for the last 17 weeks,” says class representative Jared Whiteman.

Two of the firefighters were presented with awards; one for academics and one for outstanding performance.