Fort Lauderdale to Honor New Fire-Rescue Graduates in Ceremony July 16
City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida - Venice of America
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Fort Lauderdale to Honor New Fire-Rescue Graduates in Ceremony July 16

Shannon Vezina, Public Information Specialist
(954) 828-4743 or svezina@fortlauderdale.gov

Fort Lauderdale - The City of Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue Department will recognize 15 new firefighters in a badge presentation ceremony at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 16, 2007.  The ceremony will take place in the Commission Chambers of City Hall, located at 100 North Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.

The new firefighters joined the Fire-Rescue Department in May 2007 and immediately began a nine-week protocol, emergency management and fire-rescue training program. After receiving their Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue badges at Monday’s ceremony, the new firefighters will be assigned to shifts at one of the City’s 12 fire-rescue stations.

Fire Chief James R. Eddy will conduct the badge presentation and officially induct the following firefighters into the department: Kalee M. Bowen, Sauvens Castelly, Brett DiDomenico, Ashley Heath, Bryant Jackson, Hector Loiz Jr., Christina M. Medero, Daniel Rodriguez, Lesly St. Fleur, Stefanie Suarez, Jason Thawley, John Tomas, Steven Trotta, Rick Wheeler and Cody A. Wilson.
 
During the ceremony Assistant Chief Jeffrey A. Justinak will announce the following department promotions: Robert E. Edgar to Assistant Fire Chief; Kenneth Rudominer to Captain; Michael Salzano and Jacob Snowhite to Lieutenant; and Eric Colter, Christopher Czipulis, Rafael Dominguez, Kevin Green and James Rust Jr. to Driver Engineer. 

The following new Ocean Rescue hires will participate in Monday’s Fire Badge Ceremony: Andrew Engle, Dennis Koelle, Daniel Ojito and Giovanni Sanchez-Serrano. Also present at the ceremony will be four new Fire Communications hires: Candy Martinez, Betsy Miller, Karin Niemeyer and Gladys Reyes.

Vice Mayor Carlton B. Moore will deliver remarks and swear in the new graduates.  District I Commissioner Christine Teel is also expected to attend.

The City of Fort Lauderdale runs the largest and busiest fire-rescue department in Broward County.  Last year the department responded to more than 43,000 calls for emergency service.  After Monday’s induction, there will be 369 certified firefighters in the City’s Fire-Rescue Department.  Fort Lauderdale firefighters operate 12 stations throughout the City and one station in Wilton Manors.  Many of the men and women in the department are trained to provide emergency medical services and are part of specialized teams such as Technical Rescue, Hazardous Materials and Dive Rescue.