Commissioner McPeak to Deliver Keynote Address at Recruit Firefighters Graduation
Wednesday, May 11, 2011 | 10:04am
NASHVILLE- Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeakwill deliver the commencement address to the recruit firefighter class at the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy 9 a.m. Friday, May 13, 2011.
As TDCI Commissioner, McPeak also is the State Fire Marshal. “I’m proud of these graduates, and I’m honored to play a role in the start of their careers in fire service,” she says. “Tennessee has a rich history of volunteer and paid firefighters, and the academy and its staff are an invaluable part of that.”
Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce CEO Walt Wood will make a presentation of a ”Challenge Coin” to each of the graduating students. The coin is red, white and blue and contains the “Three Stars” symbol from the Tennessee State Flag and the logo of the Academy in raised gold letters.
Located on 330 acres in northern Bedford County, this state-of-the-art training facility has been a “home away from home” for the recruits during this 10-week class. Comprising 21 students from 16 fire departments across the state and one student not currently with a fire department but preparing for a career in fire service, the recruits perform a variety of training exercises.
This premier facility prepares first responders using ‘live’ simulations. This approach primes recruits and present situations they will commonly face as firefighters. From victim rescue to hazardous fuel spills and a live fire, recruits are presented with a variety of life-and-death scenarios. This graduating class will be the 22nd to complete the Recruit Firefighter class since the facility opened at the Bedford County location in 2001.
Recruit / Firefighter I Participating Fire Departments:
Chattanooga Airport Fire Department Collins River Volunteer Fire Department
Columbia Fire Department Five Points Fire Department
Gallatin Fire Department Gordonsville Fire Department
Lebanon Fire Department Manchester Fire Department
Maury County Rural Fire Department Monteagle Fire & Rescue
Nolensville Volunteer Fire Department Paris Fire Department
Pulaski Fire Department Rutherford County Volunteer Fire Department Shelbyville Fire Department Smyrna Fire Department
The Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy provides nearly 500 courses to fire departments, codes professionals and other emergency response agencies throughout the state. For more information about the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy, visit http://tn.gov/commerce/sfm/tfaca/index.shtml or call toll free 1-800-747-8868 or 931-294-4111.
The Department of Commerce and Insurance works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee. www.tn.gov/commerce/