Ashland Fire & Rescue Promotes Five Firefighters
Ashland Fire & Rescue held badge pinning ceremonies for current firefighters on two shifts who promoted into new positions within the department. New positions included in two badge pinning ceremonies were one Battalion Chief, two Captains, and two Engineers.
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Fire Chief Ralph Sartain, at left, and Battalion Chief Kelly Burns look on as Captain Shannon Turner and Engineer Andrew Burns take oaths for their new positions on C shift.
Promoting to new positions requires many hours of study, practice, and serving under the guidance of those already in the desired positions. In addition to those pictured above, Lance Menold was promoted to Battalion Chief, Ashley Manning to Captain, and Mike Mekkers to Engineer at a previous ceremony pictured below.
From left, Fire Chief Ralph Sartain administers oaths to Mike Mekkers, Ashley Manning, and Lance Menold.
“The decision to advance in the fire service is not a choice that one makes lightly. It takes time, hard work, dedication, and above all else…sacrifice,” said Fire Chief Ralph Sartain at the swearing in ceremony.
Established in 1887, Ashland Fire & Rescue provides twenty-four-hour, all-hazards response to 4,900 calls each year in an area over 600 square miles.