CEDAR CITY — The Cedar City Fire Department welcomed six new volunteer firefighters at last Wednesday’s Cedar City Council meeting.
The new recruits were introduced to the City Council by Fire Chief Mike Phillips and lead academy instructor Greg Orloski as Taylor Alger, Logan Costello, Blake Fails, Newman Manu, Jared Powell and Connor Welch.
“Something that we’re pretty proud of — we’ve got the largest group of second-generation and third-generation firefighters in the history of the department,” Orloski said.
The volunteers introduced themselves and had their badges pinned by a loved one as people holding cameras and phones recorded the moment. Lining up, they shook the hands of the mayor, council members and staff.
To reach this point, the group undertook “months of written and hands-on training designed to hone their skills and prepare them to respond to local area emergencies such as fires, traffic accidents and rescue calls,” according to a news release issued by the city.
“This process is not overnight,” Orloski said at the council meeting.
The department covers approximately 1,800 square miles in Cedar City, Enoch and across Iron County with 13 full-time employees, the release states.
“Volunteer firefighters greatly help augment the existing staff as they continue to keep up with the growing demand in the community,” the release adds.
The department also appreciates the support of the community and the firefighters’ families, Orloski said.
Those interested in becoming volunteer firefighters should email Orloski for additional information.
Photo Gallery
The Cedar City Fire Department's new volunteers pose for a group photo, Cedar City, Utah, April 12, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Cedar City Corporation, Cedar City News Jared Powell's badge is pinned to his uniform at Cedar City Hall, Cedar City, Utah, April 12, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Cedar City Corporation, Cedar City News Gabrielle Costello pins Logan Costello's badge to his uniform at Cedar City Hall, Cedar City, Utah, April 12, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Cedar City Corporation, Cedar City News Newman Manu's wife pins his badge on his uniform at Cedar City Hall, Cedar City, Utah, April 12, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Cedar City Corporation, Cedar City News Blake Fails's wife pins his badge on his uniform at Cedar City Hall, Cedar City, Utah, April 12, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Cedar City Corporation, Cedar City News Taylor Alger's boyfriend pins her badge to her uniform at Cedar City Hall, Cedar City, Utah, April 12, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Cedar City Corporation, Cedar City News Connor Welch's wife pins his badge to his uniform at Cedar City Hall, Cedar City, Utah, April 12, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Cedar City Corporation, Cedar City News The Cedar City Fire Department's new volunteers pose for a group photo, Cedar City, Utah, April 12, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Cedar City Corporation, Cedar City News
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