Our Fire Department added new, fresh faces to its family! The Class One Department welcomed 15 recruits during a graduation ceremony on Tuesday, July 2.

“I know that each of you are prepared for this,” Deputy Chief Ron Smith told the class. “You were trained by some of the best instructors in the state of Georgia. Now that you’ve learned what to do, it’s about how you do it.”

The recruits went through a 12-week training program starting in April. Among those training was Nicholas Moffett, who was no stranger to public service, as his father is our County Manager, Dr. Keith Moffett.

“He put this on my mind at first and it was something I wanted to pursue,” said Moffett. “It’s great to give back. I’ve been in Macon all my life so to be able to serve my community is great.”

Recently, the County changed its nepotism rules to allow more people to work for and serve the County, as long as they didn’t report directly to a family member.

“In my role as County manager I’m pleased that we are now able to hire more people,” said Dr. Moffett. “In my role as Dad, having my son join the Fire Department, words can’t express it. I’m just overjoyed.”

The process wasn’t an easy one for the recruits, but it was one Moffett says is really special.

“It’s a great group of guys. We came in with camaraderie right off the gate. We spent a lot of time together, went through obstacles together,” said Moffett.

After the ceremony, each recruit opened an envelope which showed which station they would call home.

Congratulations to our newest firefighters!

Thomas J. Adkisson, Jr.

Jacquel C. Bradford-Moore

Justin A. Flippen

Tyrion R. Gainey

Owen P. Holton

Darius K. Johnson

Sean F. Keene

Justin D. Kilpatrick

Lucas G. Kitchens

Nicholas B. Moffett

Levi H. Price

Trevor N. Pritchett

Blake A. Ragin

Kevin M. Reeves, Jr.

Aerius J. Watts-Howard