Skagit County fire districts 4 and 9 have added 11 new volunteer firefighters.
Ten were sworn in Sunday during the districts’ biennial badge pinning ceremony, while the 11th missed the ceremony because of a work commitment.
The group includes a Bellingham firefighter-paramedic and a former Mount Erie firefighter with 30 years experience.
The fire districts, which serve the Big Lake and Clear Lake areas, typically bring in seven recruits every two years.
“With volunteer fire departments suffering, it’s important to know there are still people stepping up,” said Brett Berg, chief of the two fire districts.
On Sunday, the districts also recognized six officers as they were promoted to lieutenants and captains.
Andrea Nelson, who has experience firefighting, was one of the new recruits of Big Lake’s Fire District 9.