The month of June kicked off with 18 new firefighters joining the ranks of the Columbia-Richland Fire Department. Graduation exercises for Recruit Class 2026-01 were held on the evening of Thursday June 4, 2026 inside the auditorium at C.A. Johnson High School. The event was a culminating moment for the recruits, who completed 18 weeks of training at the department’s fire academy.
Before their family and friends, each new firefighter received their badge from Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins.
Several awards were also handed out during the graduation. Recruit Cody Patton was honored with the Maltese Cross Award while Recruit Jack Brutzer received the Bryan P. Roberts Academic Achievement Award.
(From left) Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins presents the Maltese Cross Award to Recruit Cody Patton & the Bryan P. Roberts Award to Jack Brutzer)
The Columbia-Richland Fire Department extends its congratulations to our new full-time firefighters.
RECRUIT CLASS 2026-01
Bennett Baxley
Jack Brutzer
Sean Farmer
Rafael Gaines
Adrian Gonzalez
Samuel Hernandez
Carson Howard
Ian Husley
David Kempner
Enrique McMillan
Damiya McMillian
Hugo Michaud
Lukas Nelson
Alexander O’Donnell
Cody Patton
David Ruiz
Chase Strickland
Shy’heem Watkins
