Washington County, MD residents will soon see 21 new faces joining the ranks of emergency services following the graduation of Firefighter Academy Recruit Classes 6 and 7, as announced by the Washington County Division of Emergency Services (DES). The ceremony, held on Thursday, September 25, 2025, marked the successful completion of rigorous training for these individuals, who are now prepared to serve the community.
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The graduation event, which took place at the Kepler Theatre at Hagerstown Community College, saw the attendance of family, friends, and local officials. During the ceremony, graduates received their official badges and took an oath to serve. Remarks were delivered by Jeffrey A. Cline, Vice President of the Washington County Board of County Commissioners, and Al Benjamin, a retired Firefighter from FDNY Rescue Co. #1.
The graduates from Firefighter Academy Recruit Class 6 include Charles Burleson, Derek Crippen, Bryan Geneese, Lucas Godwin, Alex Hasri, Colten Matheny, Troy Moyers, Jeremiah Pattison, John Sharpe, and Richard Smith. Firefighter Academy Recruit Class 7 consists of Cody Boward, Caleb Crowe, Nicholas Cullum, Steven Dove, Robert Gordon, Joshua Grim, Matthew Hagy, Richard Hebb, Brandon Lynch, Thomas Morrison, Adrian Rivera, and Christian Sherwood. These 21 individuals represent a significant addition to the local fire service, enhancing the county’s emergency response capabilities.
The Division of Emergency Services commended the graduates for their dedication and commitment to public service. This expansion of trained firefighters is expected to bolster the safety and well-being of Washington County residents, ensuring a more robust emergency response network.
Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from Washington County Division of Emergency Services
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