18 graduate as LR firefighters
Save a life, come home safely, mayor tells latest class
The newest batch of Little Rock firefighters soon will report for their first official shifts after spending 20 weeks learning the skills they’ll need to be the capital city’s first responders.
Eighteen men made up the Little Rock Fire Department 2015 recruiting class, which ended its training with a graduation ceremony Thursday night before friends and family at the Statehouse Convention Center. They were each given their engine and shift assignments during the ceremony.
“We want you to be able to fight a fire, save a life and come home safely,” Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola told the recruits, whose training included everything from learning normal breathing rates for toddlers and adults to practice at fighting fires. “On behalf of the residents, we are indebted to you.”
The men, Fire Chief Gregory Summers said, are entering not only a new profession but also a broth-
erhood. A brotherhood that comes with nicknames such as “Angry Man,” “Boo Boo” and “Jackhammer.” To laughter and applause from family and friends, each man’s photo and appointed nickname appeared on a screen among photos of the men in their gear climbing ladders and performing other tasks during training.
Special awards were handed out to two recruits. DeVante Johnson was given the Fire Chief’s Challenge award and John Millikan, 32, won three awards after getting the best scores on several tests and achieving the best scores for the physical fitness portion of training.
Millikan said he mostly worked in retail before becoming a firefighter, but he told himself after college he would do something he really enjoyed.
“I wanted to do something I could be proud of, and something where I could serve,” Millikan said.
Millikan will start his career on Engine 3. The new firefighters will be under a probationary period for the first year, meaning they can be dismissed if their performance is unsatisfactory. Millikan said it’s just a reminder that the learning process for firefighters continues after the training ends.
Johnson, who at 22 was the youngest recruit in the class, joined the Army Reserves out of high school, then attended college before applying to become a firefighter. He said he plans to finish his degree online, but he’s always wanted to be a firefighter.
Finishing training “feels like an elephant off you,” Johnson said.
He said he’s anticipating that first bell when the adrenaline starts pumping and he’s called upon to use the training he’s received.
“Now it’s the real deal,” Johnson said. “We’re stepping into even bigger shoes.”