Fire Academy Graduation!!

Friday, April 4th was the graduation ceremony for the first Career Fire Academy at Louisville Fire Dept. We had finished our eight week academy and the powers that be deemed us ready to go on-line. We spent the morning cleaning the bays, apparatus and station and readying things for the ceremony that night. Mom and Jared drove over on the 3rd from Utah to be there for me and we had a great visit for the weekend.

The graduation was really nice and included words of praise and expectation from the Chief, Division Chief, Asst Chief, Board President, and our trusty Captain and academy instructor, Capt Josh Schmidt. We were sworn in as Probationary Firefighters (weird), presented our helmets, shields and badges, congratulated by all, and shared a slideshow of our antics through academy with everyone there. One of the coolest moments was having my mom pin my badge on my uniform. Thanks mom, I love you so much! The night was finished off nicely with the traditional "burning of the red shirts" in a fuel filled burn pan. As strange as it had been to be issued red shirts that we were expected to wear through the previous eight weeks, they never really bothered me. In my eyes it was just another uniform to try to fit into my closet along side my FD uniforms, Pridemark uniforms, paramedic school uniforms, polo uniforms, and CU uniforms. They all really need their own closet...maybe a shed. Anyhow, regardless of my lack of hate for the "red-shirt" there was a somewhat satisfying feeling when I held it over the flames and dropped it in to burn completely. And it was fire, so we loved that! Louisville doesn't burn so we all got a little excited about seeing a little flame!

I am so fortunate to have such amazing family and friends supporting me and cheering me on through everything. Mama Cheryl and Jared drove out from Utah, Melanie and Portia sacrificed their evening, and John was there for me as well. It was really neat to be standing there with my fellow career firefighters in front of everyone looking out and seeing so many faces of people who love me, care for me, and whom I know I can count on inside a burning building and out. Thanks to all of you who were there in person or in spirit. I love you all and wouldn't be where I am today without each and every one of you!!

Due to the lack of timeliness by the UPS, my family's graduation gift had not arrived. I was shown the online photo of said item and was super excited for its arrival soon. When it arrived a week or so later I was beyond words. My incredible family had given me a custom hand painted Paul Conway Stars & Stripes leather helmet. Wow! I can't express in words just how awesome it is...sexy really. It's a real firefighters helmet and the leather, tradition and heritage of it is really cool. I took it to work to show it off and one of my fire-medics James begged to get to sleep with it. Capt Schmidt tells me of a guy in CA that makes custom hand-painted shields. I'll have to work on that to top off this incredible gift. Thank you Mom, Suz, Erin, Rob, Meggie, Jar and families. You are all so fantastic and I feel so blessed each day to be part of the best family in the world.

Mom was able to stay for the weekend and then needed to get back for work, mostly I know she was anxious to return to Charlie's bedside and love him the way only a grandma can. Jar stayed for the week and was thrilled to catch up on sleep, just hang out, and ski with John at A-basin one day. They pronounced it a perfect ski day with tons of fresh powder and moguls that were chest high. (Sounds terrible to me, glad I was at school!) Tuesday night at the Fire Dept business meeting, awards were presented for merit and lifesaving, etc. I was honored to have Jared, John, Melanie and Portia there again for me when I received three awards; two distinguished service awards for outstanding support and leadership in the EMT program and outstanding training and leadership in the recruit program, and a lifesaving award for outstanding performance on a cardiac arrest call. It was neat to be recognized along with many of my other coworkers.