Four Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Recruits graduated from the Tennessee Fire and Codes Enforcement (TFACA) in Bell Buckle, Tennessee Friday morning.
Harrison Hovater, Chris Llanes, Chris Pokracki, and Caleb Walls were recognized in front of family, friends, and coworkers for completing 10-weeks (approximately 400 hours) of rigorous firefighting training.
The four were part of the largest graduating recruit class in TFACA’s history. Students represented a total of 13 departments.
Jeff Elliot, TFACA’s Fire Services Program Director, stated that the group had been “pushed to their limits…physically, mentally, and emotionally,” during their weeks in class. “I couldn’t be more proud of this group and each individual,” he said.
Elliot addressed the class members and told them to concentrate on the word “professional.” He explained that their Fire Chiefs and communities have expectations for them to respond as PROFESSIONAL firefighters. He encouraged them to be strong members of their teams…to make their shifts count…to continue training. He noted that this profession is a commitment to a strict code of conduct because each graduate will now be considered a “role model.”
“We are very proud of these gentlemen, and all that they have accomplished in the last 10-weeks,” said MFRD Fire Rescue Chief Mark Foulks. “We are excited to see them put their training into action and know that they will be great assets to Murfreesboro and the citizens we serve.”
Front row (L to R): Graduates Chris Llanes, Harrison Hovater, Chris Pocracki, and Caleb Walls.
Back Row (L to R): Retired MFRD Captain/TFACA Instructor Bob Decker, Firefighter Gianna Bacchetti, Training Coordinator Jeff Wright, Captain Doug Inglish, Battalion Chief Brian Lowe, Firefighter Dillon Harris, Battalion Chief Jamie Bigelow, Assistant Chief Kaye Jernigan, Chief Mark Foulks, Battalion Chief Mark McCluskey, Training Coordinator Nicole Miller, Captain Adam Brown, Logistics Manager Teri Herron, Assistant Chief Allen Swader, Engineer Andy Smithson, Captain/Shift Training Officer/TFACA Instructor Mike Keith, Captain/Chaplain Lee Douglas, Captain Clay Walls, Deputy Chief Roger Toombs, Retired MFRD Captain Hank Walls, and Captain/Shift Training Officer/TFACA Instructor Terry Smith.