Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki and Fire Chief Michael Donohue welcomed 17 new firefighters to the Wilmington Fire Department during a Saturday public graduation ceremony held at Salesianum School on North Broom Street. The ceremony hosted Fire Lieutenant Gabriel Pabon, included the presentation of badges, and fire and EMT Certifications, as well as the Oath of Office, administered by Deputy Chief James R. Jobes.
Mayor Purzycki congratulated the class for successfully completing the long and rigorous selection process that is required of individuals who seek a career as a Wilmington firefighter. He also thanked the firefighters for deciding to accept one of the most challenging yet rewarding forms of public service. The Mayor says being a firefighter is not simply a job that one does, but it becomes who a person is and what they were called to do to serve their community.