PGFD Welcomes Newest Graduating Class of Career Firefighters to Force

The Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department recently welcomed 35 new career members with a graduation ceremony last Thursday at Charles Flowers High School in Springdale.

Guest speakers included Barry Stanton, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Public Safety, Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor and a Keynote address by Cathy Hedrick of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF).

Throughout their training, the graduating class raised money through various initiatives like a run across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Their fundraising generated over $5,000 for the NFFF, and Chief Marc Bashoor presented the class with a unit citation recognizing their compassion for fellow firefighters.

Unit Citations are the highest award the Fire/EMS Department bestowed to a group or unit in recognition of their exemplary actions. This year’s graduating class is the first to be bestowed with this honor and distinction.

The Graduating Class of Career Recruit School #44 

Ricardo Alberto Alfaro

Frederick Weaver Brewer IV

Cadir Dierre Chisley

Dustin Bowman Cooksey

Jason David Cruz

Evander Marquette Davis

Jonathan Michael Di Iorio

Michael Joseph Dommel

Brian Drummond

Kevin Anthony Earley

Matthew John Fisher

Lauren Eleise Foreman

Matthew Douglas Garbow

Kevin Joseph Green Jr.

Alexander Lawrence Hamburger

Michael Maurice Hanton

Daniel Alan Horichs

Lance Ernest Jolly

Michael Jameson Kiefer

Steffon Antoine Lee

Joseph Oscar Mays

Michael Wayne McAllister

Andrew George Morrow

Eric Donald Nellis

John Frederick Padukiewicz

James Joseph Porter

Damon Alexander Sinclair

Sean Michael Smith

Raheem Emerald Stewart

Patricia Anne Strunck

Brooke Leslie Thompson

Christopher Larry Tom

Richard Donald Ward III

William Jeffery Wells Jr.

Bryan Richard Wilson

Several Special Achievement Awards were presented to students that excelled in portions of the training academy.

Emergency Medical Technician Scholastic Achievement Award - Fire Fighter Michael Kiefer
The Emergency Medical Technician Scholastic Achievement Award is presented to an individual who achieved the highest academic average on the emergency medical technician written examinations and practical evolutions.

Fire Suppression Scholastic Achievement Award - Fire Fighter Jonathan Di Iorio
The Fire Suppression Scholastic Achievement Award is presented to an individual in each Career Recruit School who achieved the highest academic average on the fire suppression written examinations and practical evolutions.

Instructor’s Award - Fire Fighter Michael Dommel
The Instructor’s Award is presented to an individual in each Career Recruit School who has shown the highest level of personal improvement, development, and dedication during the class. In short, we identify the recruit who has contributed significantly to the success of the class overall either by helping others or through self-improvement. The individual earning this award can be one with no previous experience in emergency services and progresses to an outstanding level of proficiency; or an experienced person who dedicates him or herself to assisting other class members be successful throughout Recruit School.

Memorial Award -  Fire Fighter Jason Cruz
The Memorial Award is a very special recognition presented to an outstanding recruit from each Career Recruit School who has displayed that rarest combination of professionalism, courage, and "espirit de corps." Such traits serve to honor their fallen comrades, and uphold the highest traditions of the Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services Department.

Fire Chief’s Award - Fire Fighter Damon Sinclair
The Fire Chief's Award is the highest recognition for Career Recruit Schools. This award is bestowed on an individual in recognition of achievements that have made significant contributions to the graduating class. Selection criteria emphasize leadership, professional development, integrity, performance, and personal growth. This award is given to the recruit who best exemplifies the conduct required of the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department.

Editor's Note: The headline was changed to reflect that the graduating class is career firefighters, as both career and volunteer firefighters are professionals.