Twenty-six firefighters graduate

Twenty-six firefighters graduated in a ceremony held Nov. 21 at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kan.

“You will face danger but also be empowered by overcoming fear,” Kansas City, Kan., Fire Chief John Paul Jones told the graduates. “You will now be tested mentally, physically and emotionally in ways you never thought possible. I am confident you will make us proud.”

Mayor Mark Holland addressed the group, noting that people in America sometimes take for granted the excellent emergency service they have.  In some places in the world, lack of emergency service means death.  Also, there are other places in the metropolitan area that don’t have the caliber of emergency services that Kansas City, Kan., has, he added.

“We are giving to you the responsibility for our community, and it is a sacred trust,” he told the graduates.

Officials with the Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department pointed out that the class contained a fourth generation firefighter, Chris Wing, as well as another fourth-generation firefighter, a third-generation firefighter and some second-generation firefighters.

Josh Bubeck graduated No. 1 in his class, with an almost perfect score in the academy, and addressed the class.

www.ksffa.com