GREENSBORO, N.C. — It's a day worth celebrating not just for the Greensboro firefighting recruits who just graduated, but also for the department as a whole who now say they are practically fully staffed.
After a rigorous 27-week academy, a celebration comes for 20 new Greensboro firefighter recruits.
Today is especially special for Aldahir Rodriguez after waiting nearly 2 years for this moment.
"I applied originally for the fire department for the 77 recruit class," said Rodriguez. "I got accepted. I got the call. I was excited. I started the process. I got hired. I started the academy and had a training accident. I came down with a ladder and broke my wrist, broke elbow."
After two surgeries and being placed on light duty for about 8 months, Rodriguez helped other recruit classes coming through until he could get cleared.
He said it helped him refine his skills and he didn't want to give up on his passion.
"It makes it way better than it would've been I think the first time," said Rodriguez.
This graduation is changing the outlook for the Greensboro Fire Department's staffing challenges as well.
Korey Randleman, a Greensboro Fire Battalion Chief over the recruit academy said these 20 recruits are already assigned to their stations, which means that five firefighters can respond on a call per truck, compared to just four.
"It's a great accomplishment for them, the training, it's a very hard academy to get through," said Randleman.
"They have to show dedication, and hard work every single day. We have a very high standard for them. They've accepted that challenge and they've done very well as evidenced by them graduating today."
Randleman said they've been aggressive in their recruiting and there are now only three open positions.
"The last two years, we've been really aggressive with our recruiting, really aggressive in hiring classes," said Randleman.
"We have folks from all different backgrounds. The last three classes have been extremely diverse, which we've been very proud of."
Now these firefighters will begin their new journey.
Rodriguez says he is excited to finally have the opportunity to keep Greensboro safe.
"It's a calling where you want to help people," said Rodriguez.
"You want to make a difference and if that's what you want to do, that's all you need. These guys at the training center, they'll help you with the rest. They'll make sure you get there physically and emotionally because it's an emotional process too because the stuff you go through and academically you have support just as long as it's in your heart that this is what you want to do," said Rodriguez.
The probationary firefighters will be assigned to various fire stations in the city. After six months, they will return to the recruit academy to undergo academic and practical testing to determine if they will remain with the City as firefighters.
The next academy is tentatively scheduled to begin fall 2024.
Those interested in becoming firefighters with the City of Greensboro can find more information by going to www.gfdnc.com.