February 24, 2012 –Family, friends and Fire Department members attended the graduation ceremony for Kristopher “Cole” Clark and Clint Holmes, members of Westside Fire Department and B.S.A. Fire Explorer Post 7. Each recruit successfully completed 8 weeks of resident training at the SC Firefighter Academy located in Columbia.

Firefighters Clark and Holmes were part of a class of 22 recruits that completed all the necessary courses, some of which included Emergency Medical Responder, OSHA Firefighter, Hazardous Materials, Auto Extrication, Firefighter I, and Firefighter II.

Certificates were presented by Resident Training Officer, Phillip Russell, while family members, fire academy instructors and Fire Chief Scott Vivas proudly stood by each firefighter.

Clint Holmes received one of three special awards, “ The Pride of the Battalion Award.”  This award is voted on by the instructors of the academy and presented to the student that exhibits the qualities of Leadership, Integrity, Responsibility, and Moral Character.

Firefighters Clark and Holmes are the second and third recruits, respectively, Westside Fire Department has sent to the academy providing tuition and expenses for each firefighter.  We congratulate each firefighter on their accomplishments and their willingness to serve and protect the residents of Westside Fire District.

  Clint Holmes, Cole Clark, Fire Academy, Firefighter, Westside, Westside Fire District