Gwinnett Dep't Fire, Emergency Services Announce Graduates

From Gwinnett Fire, Emergency Services: The Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services is proud to announce the recent graduation of 22 new recruits who completed the department’s arduous training program to become certified Firefighter/Paramedics. Additionally, there were three veteran firefighters who successfully completed the paramedic training program in order to enhance their skills.

A ceremony was held on Monday, May 8, 2017 at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center in Lawrenceville. Fire Chief Casey Snyder and members of the department’s Command Staff joined the recruits and their families in a badge pinning ritual and presentation of certificates. Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash and County Administrator Glenn Stephens, praised the group for their hard work and dedication as they underwent 15-months of classroom instruction, medical clinical rotations at the hospital and on the ambulance, practical lab scenarios and basic firefighter training.

Chief Snyder expressed to the group the importance of being public servants and encouraged them to strive for success throughout their careers and to seek to become positive role models and leaders within the organization. Several class awards and recognitions were given out to include: Academic Award to Richard Caruso, Physical Fitness Award to Herbert Carlos, Paramedic Star of Life Award to Chris Hinkle, Core Values Award to Charles Esswein and Top Rung Award to Trent Garrison. The list of graduates includes:

Veteran Firefighters Who Completed the Paramedic Program

• Jonathan Butler
• Kassi DerCola
• Ryan Griffin

New Firefighter/Paramedic Recruit Graduates

• Rick Caruso
• Hudson Howard
• Tori Clutter
• Matt Jones
• Kyle Cochran
• Madeline Mann
• Herbert Claros
• Ozzie Merrifield
• Kevin Crawley
• Trey Moore
• Jaime Duarte-Carmona
• Michael Reilly
• Chuck Esswein
• Kris Robinson
• Trent Garrison
• Michael Sayles
• Ryan Hayden
• Ben Shelnutt
• John Helms
• Mike Smith
• Chris Hinkle
• Embree Wilson

Photo courtesy of Gwinnett Fire, Emergency Services