Home East County ECCFPD Welcomes 10 Probationary Firefighters to the District

ECCFPD Welcomes 10 Probationary Firefighters to the District

by ECT

Saturday was a magnificent day in East County as the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) welcomed ten new firefighters to the District after having gone through months of training. The District will be able to continue to mold and train the new-hires as probationary firefighters over the next 18-months.

The hire was made possible by a $7.9 million dollar Safer Grant which already allowed the District to hire back 8 of 15 previously laid off firefighters while reopening the Knightsen station in November.  The grant is expected to be in place until November 2014.  This now will allow the Downtown Brentwood station to reopen in about 10-days.

These 10 men have been through a lot as the application process started all the way back in November of last year where 353 applicants were screened and over the course of an application process, the 11-best applicants were chosen after written examinations, background checks and medical exams. They then went through a crash course 9-week program to get up to speed on the District.

Saturday should be considered a morale boost for a district that has had its ups and downs over the past year as the probationary firefighters are bringing a fresh perspective to the District and ready to serve.

“You have reached a pivotal point in your journey to become firefighters. The group of men you are joining are not well acquainted with personal sacrifice but are some of the bravest dedicated men I’ve ever had the privilege to know, “said ECCFPD Board President Joel Bryant.

Bryant called the current firefighters who trained these probationary firefighters great leaders who will always run towards fires instead of from it.

“I trust these men who been your leaders and instructors during these many hours of training and instruction that you have made it through and because I trust them I now trust you. I trust you with the lives of my family and every family in this fire district,” said Bryant.

Chief Hugh Henderson stated that Saturday was a day where they were able to celebrate the promotion from recruit status to probationary firefighters who can now serve this district.

“This District has been on a roller coaster for the last year and a half with some very low points and bringing us with ten new members to some high points,” said Chief Henderson.  

Henderson explained that In ten days the District will now be able to re-open the downtown Brentwood station that was closed on July 1 which will increase service and better protect the community.

“The timing of this graduation seems unique as this past week, there have been two major events when you look at what has happened in Boston and Texas and you look at the emergency personnel its effected. When You think about these types of events, most people are trying to leave these events, but the public safety officials are trying to find the quickest and most efficient way to provide care to those victims in need. This is what we train for. A lot of people consider being a firefighter a career, but in reality it’s a lifestyle,” explained Chief Henderson. “It’s like having a second family.”

Probationary firefighter Matthew Bettencourt was designated the recruit spokesman and provided battalion Chiefs Brian Helmick and Jeff Burris ceremonial axes as an appreciation to their time and effort during training.  They also thanked firefighter Jimmy Laughlin for his effort in pushing the recruits each morning with workouts by providing him with a sandbag full of “goodies” such as soda and candy.

 “This is much more than receiving a piece of paper or polished sheet of metal, this ceremony is about commitment. It is about the commitment the ten of us have made to the people of this county and the commitment our organization has taken to ensure we are ready for that responsibility,” said Bettencourt. “We aren’t up here to get anything; rather we are on this stage to show we are ready to give everything. We will be there when you need us no matter the time of day, no matter the weather, no matter the problem, we will be there. Help will never be more than a phone call away.”

If anyone wants full size images, please contact me at [email protected]

Here are some videos I’ve post on YouTube from the graduation.

Video # 1 –  Joel Bryant speaks to recruits

Video # 2 – Chief Henderson speaks

Video # 4 – ceremonial axes and sandbag given to trainers

Video #5 – Matthew Bettencourt comments from the 10 probationary firefighters

Video #6 – Helmick discusses retired axes

Video # 7 – recruits are sworn in becoming probationary firefighters

Video # 8 – Warrior Watch Riders share their mission with probationary firefighters

Video # 9 – Warrior Watch Riders present special coin to probationary firefighters

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6 comments

Rob Saw Apr 23, 2013 - 7:28 am

Congratulations to the 10 firefighters. Burk, you really did capture this graduation nicely and love the photos. Best shot was the firefighter kissing the girl in front of the engine. Love the quotes within the article. Pretty pathetic the Times or Press did not have a single story on this much needed graduation for east county in terms of public safety and you have ran two stories. I hope people start waking up and come to this site for their information.

burkforoakley Apr 23, 2013 - 7:32 am

@Rob… in fairness, Kyle from the Press was there and took pictures. I am positive they will run something on Thursday.

Jen Apr 23, 2013 - 7:37 am

What a great website and post. thank you for posting all your pictures.

B-Wood Apr 23, 2013 - 9:54 am

Looks like a first class event.

Barbara DuMont Apr 23, 2013 - 1:44 pm

Thank you for the pictures. It looks like it was wonderful event and I see a lot of proud family members. Not to rain on the parade, — we have hired them and now trained them. We have to find the money to keep them!

Jana A. Apr 23, 2013 - 4:17 pm

These new fire fighters could not work for a better department! All of the guys at ECCFPD are superstars in my book!

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