In what was a first for Columbia Richland Fire, the department recognized the work of its many volunteer members by holding a graduation ceremony on May 6, 2019.
More than 20 volunteer recruits were officially sworn into service with the department while their friends and family looked on. The ceremony drew close to 200 people to department headquarters.
Fire Chief Jason Pope, who is the fire services coordinator for Fairfield County, delivered the keynote address. Columbia Richland Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins then officially badged each volunteer recruit. He also presented each new member with a department coin.
Here is the complete list of volunteer firefighters who were honored:
JAMEL ADDAHOUMI
KASSEM AZIZ
MELISSA BEATTY
CHRIS BECKHAM
LATOYA BENNEFIELD
LAMAR BOWERS
BAYLEE BROWN
ERIC CRANE
ORLANDO DEVERS
DAYNA DUCOTE
ESTEBAN VILLARREAL
TRISTAN FAILE
AKIL FINLEY
JUSTIN GALLMAN
CHRISTIAN JOHNSON
TAYLOR KATZ
JACQUELINE LEE
DANIEL LOTT
MARCUS MALLOY
MICHAEL RICHARDSON
FREDRICK STROUD
AMAL WEBB
MIKE WELKER
TRACY WHELEN