Community
Fire recruits graduate
(back) Fireman, JamesJackson; Group Fire Control Officer, Rosworth McLaughline; TrainingOfficer, Joseph Thompson; Chief Fire Officer, Kirkland Nixon;Senior Divisional Officer, Denom Bodden; Deputy Chief Fire Officr,Bill Ray Martinez; Firean, Lenoris Ebanks. Front Fireman, DorianHunter; Fireman, Daniel Hurlstone; Fireman Randolph Jackson; Fireman,Jason McCoy, Fire Dispatcher; Shelly Smith-Sumuels; Fireman, MiguelThompson.
Eight recruits have earned the designation,"fire officer," after graduating from 14 weeks of extensivephysical and mental conditioning on Friday, 26 January
All originally hailing from Cayan Brac,onl three will remain in Grand Cayman. Two of these officers willserve as domestic fire fighters, while Shelly Smith, the firstfemale to ever enrol in the fire service, will be joining thecontrol room staff as a fire dispatcher.
Four of thefive officersreturning to theBrac will also serve as domestic officers, while the other willbe assigned to the aerodrome division.
Remaining with Mrs. Smith in Grand Caymanare James Jackson and Randolph Jackson. Officers returning tothe Brac are Learis Ebanks, Drian Hunter, Daniel Hurlstone, JasonMcCoy and Miguel Thompson (aerodrome officer).
Chief Fire Officer Mr. Kirkland Nixon isdelighted with the recruits; " This was an excellent classand utmost commitment has been evident in all their ndeavours.I hpe that they will stick with the career they have chosen andit is always encouraging to see young Caymanians excel,"he commented.
Classes taken during training included abasic aerodrome and domestic course in rescue and firefighting;bsic telecommunictions; fire communications and a fire first respondercourse (a level of certification at the Emergency Medical TechnicianBasic). Recruits had to maintain a minimum 70 percent averagein each subject as well as in physical exercises.
Taining Officer Joeph Thompson was frankabout the standards by which recruits were evaluated: "Thecourse was intense and recruits had to be able to deliver bothphysical and mental requirements. They exhibited perseveranceand we are indeed very proudof them," said Mr.Thompson.