Austin Payne, Michael Sams, and Austin Williams
The Dalton Fire Department graduated three new firefighters, Austin Payne, Michael Sams, and Austin Williams on May 4. The class began training with six recruits on Jan. 30.
The department’s recruit training program is a grueling 14-week school that incorporates all aspects of basic firefighter training. During recruit school, heavy emphasis is placed upon physical fitness, professionalism, and attention to detail. In addition to basic firefighter training, courses on emergency medical care and hazardous materials response are delivered during this period.
Recruits must successfully complete National Professional Qualifications (NPQ) hazmat awareness, NPQ hazmat operations, and emergency medical training during their recruit class. Upon graduation from the recruit program, new firefighters must be certified to the level of NPQ firefighter I and NPQ firefighter II, in addition to completing Georgia Fire Academy courses in structural fire control and interior search and rescue techniques.