The Myrtle Beach Fire Department took another giant step forward as 27 firefighters graduated recently at Horry-Georgetown Technical College's Grand Strand Conference Center on the former Air Force base.
The 17th class, the largest ever, was praised by Chief Alvin Payne as one of the finest organizations in the Southeast. "I'm glad we have a large group of members and friends who came to celebrate their accomplishments," Payne said. "This is an important day for this unique group.
"You are joining a brotherhood that extends across the country," he said. "This isn't a job, it's a way of life. Love it and live it, and it will take care of you."
Payne said he thinks his department has the most talented people to be found in any work force.
He said the new class is a diverse group, coming from California, New York, Michigan, Ohio, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and the Carolinas. "We have a retired police detective, a helicopter pilot, an ice hockey player and a college wrestler," Payne said. "They've been together 14 weeks and completed 12 certificate courses, two of which are national certifications."
Guest speaker for commencement exercises was Fire Chief Karl Ristow Jr. of St. Johns Fire District, Johns Island. An Air Force retiree, he began teaching at the S.C. Fire Academy in 1995, where he was instrumental in developing the first aircraft-rescue firefighting courses.
Fireman Richard LaPera, graduating class spokesman, narrated a slide show, which depicted some of the class training exercises. "I've taken more tests in the past three months than I took during my eight years of high school," he joked.
LaPera's fellow graduates are Jared Aronson, Kevin Boross, Sherwood Breish, Jeff Cameron, John Cilladi, Brian Cole, Justin Flake, Corey Frew, Michael Gilbert, Christopher Heinz, Bradley Kempf, Mark Kennedy, Jeffrey Lattig, Chad McGough, Zachary Mealey, William Miller, Scott Mullins, Andrew Paul, Matthew Pereira, Heriberto Rivera, Ignacio Sanchez, David Schramm, Raymond Skiba, Christian Sliker, Stephen Tucker and Steve VonRuden.
The Myrtle Beach Fire Department is one of 42 Insurance Services Organization Class One firefighting units in the nation, Payne said.
ISO inspects fire-protection services by 35,000 fire departments in cities and counties across the United States. The inspection checks response times, looks for a suitable water-delivery system and evaluates the emergency communications system.
Insurance companies use the ISO grade to figure insurance premiums.
Class One is the best that can be achieved, meaning residents of a system rated Class One could pay lower insurance premiums.
Distributed by the Associated Press
