FARGO, ND (Valley News Live) – More than a dozen new firefighters are joining the FM metro area to help with emergency response and keep people in our communities safe.

On Friday, October 25, thirteen recruits graduated from the Fargo, West Fargo and Moorhead Joint Fire Academy. Nine are with Fargo Fire, three are with West Fargo Fire and one is with the Moorhead Fire Department.

During the 16-week training program, recruits completed classroom work, drills, ride-alongs and live burn scenarios. Area fire chiefs say hands-on training helps prepare recruits for real-life scenarios.

“Today, you step into a role where lives depend on your actions and your commitment to excellence will make a tangible difference in your community,” said Fargo Fire Chief Steve Dirksen.

“At some point in your career, you will find yourself in a position where you must put someone else’s life before your own,” says West Fargo’s Chef Dan Fuller. And that is part of our oath, the oath you will take here today. This is a promise we make to members of our community; “If they are in trouble, we will go after them.”

The Moorhead Fire Chief, area mayors, friends and family members filled the Fargo City Commission chambers for the ceremony. 13 soldiers took the oath and pinned their badges on their uniforms.

This was the 11th graduating class of the Joint Fire Academy. The ministries say the joint effort saves resources when it comes to training and helps improve relations between departments in future mutual aid situations.

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