Local Firemen honored at ceremony

Anne Sutherland Posted December 10, 2009 2:30pm Italy FD

Image: The Last Huddle — Fire Chief Don Chamber gathers the Italy Fire Academy graduates around for some last minute instructions before the National Test on Thursday. — The Last Huddle — Fire Chief Don Chamber gathers the Italy Fire Academy graduates around for some last minute instructions before the National Test on Thursday. (Anne Sutherland)

Twenty to 48, those are the ages of the men graduating from the Italy Fire Academy this week. A total of eight came through with flying colors and will be nationally tested on Thursday morning at Navarro College.

On Tuesday night, friends and families gathered at the Italy High School cafeteria to honor our local heroes. The Fire Academy students come from Milford and Forreston, as well as Italy. The guests feasted on Italian fare and the dinner was prepared by First Baptist Church and their youth department.

“The Ellis County Emergency Service District #3 (ESD) welcomes everyone to this ceremony,” commented member, Murrie Wainscott. According to Fire Chief Don Chambers,“These men have worked hard all year long. We began on January 4, 2009 and they have done an outstanding job.”

It was announced the top two students were Tommy Sutherland of Italy, Valedictorian, and Mark Jackson of Milford, Salutatorian, with only 1 point between them.

All eight students completed 468 hours of fire class and was also credited 40 hours of the ECA class (Emergency Care Attendant). “This is a big commitment and each student went above and beyond of what was requested,” Chambers explained. “The Fire Department is a brotherhood and there will always be someone for the firemen to talk to. This is not an easy business.” The training the men received will go with them as they advance in their careers.

Each man agreed to remain in the Ellis County district for five years concluding this education.

Also, honored were current fire fighters with many years of service in Italy. Among them are:

36 years-Chief Donald Chambers
23 years-Assistant Chief Randy Boyd
22 years-Captain Jackie Cate
17 years-Lt. Sal Perales
15 years-Captain Michael Chambers, Engineer Lynn Lambert
11 years- Lt. Brad Chambers
10 Years-Engineer Josh Droll, Justin Rudd, Captain Chaplain Ronnie Dabney
8 Years-Daniel Ballard
7 Years- Engineer Paul Cockerham, Tommy Sutherland
3 years-Russell Coers, Shedrick “Fluffy” Walker
1 year-Bobby McBride, Eric Bradley, Jacob Hopkins

The firemen in this district work hard for the citizens of this community, as do firemen everywhere. It shows when they have training like this and excel in it. If you see one of these hardworking men on the street, shake their hand and thank them for putting their lives on the line whenever the alarm blows.

Members of the Ellis County ESD Board include President Jackie Cate, Assistant Vice President Howard Morgan, Treasurer James Steele and Secretary Vicente Guerrero.

Class 2 is proud — (L-R back row) Wesley Layne Curry, William Eric Bradley, Jacob Scott Hopkins, Bobby J. McBride
(Front row) Andy Franks, Mark Jackson, James Eric “Pepaw” Sprabary and Tommy Sutherland (Anne Sutherland)

Class 1 Grads — Jackie Cate, Randy Boyd and Michael Chambers are graduates of the first class of Italy Fire Academy. Each student was required to go to night class, one night a week and the course took 22 months to complete. (Anne Sutherland)

Chief Don Chambers — Chief Chambers is very proud of Class 2 graduates. “They all are committed to this program and have done very well.” (Anne Sutherland)

Jackie and an “old dawg” — Tommy Sutherland receives a big handshake from Captain Jackie Cate for achieving Valedictorian in his class. Sutherland thanked everyone for allowing the opportunity to learn and explained how his classmates mean so much. “I have learned from everyone in my class, from each fireman. You all have taught me this year. I guess you CAN teach an old dog new tricks,” Tommy adds with a smile. (Anne Sutherland)

Mark cracks a smile — Mark Jackson, Fire Chief in Milford, made Salutatorian in the Italy Fire Academy. He thanks his family for all of their support during the long hours of schooling. “This is not just a job, it’s a calling,” Jackson explained to the class. (Anne Sutherland)

Instructors and their students — Jackie Cate, Brad Chambers and Randy Boyd helped Chief Chambers instruct this class of the Italy Fire Academy. (Anne Sutherland)

Service Award — All Italy firemen received a badge to wear on their uniform shirts. (Anne Sutherland)

Local heroes — These men put their lives on the line everyday, Italy’s finest! (Anne Sutherland)

Italy firemen in training — Each man lines up for the next skill they are learning. (submitted)

Fire ablaze — The firemen are required to endure the heat of the flames as they try to extinguish the fire in the training house in Waxahachie. (submitted)

That dummy weighs a lot — One of the requirements of the firemen is to retrieve the 160lb dummy from the smoke filled house. (Submitted)

Hoses are important too — Loading and re-loading hoses is just apart of the training. (Anne Sutherland)

Chief watches his students — Chief Chambers instructs the new firemen about the hoses. (Anne Sutherland)

Top of the engine — Loading the hose. (Anne Sutherland)

Learning the ropes — Tommy Sutherland repels down the fire training building in Waxahachie while his classmates look on. (Submitted)