North Collier Fire Welcome Fifteen New Firefighters

North Collier Fire Probationary Firefighters with Fire Chief Eloy Ricardo and Command Staff.

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by Heather Mazurkiewicz

Recently North Collier Fire Control &Rescue District held a ceremony to commemorate fifteen new firefighters’ completion of our 10-weekintense firefighter training.

The State of Florida requires approximately 400 hours of training to meet the minimum standards of being called a firefighter. The North Collier Fire District requires an additional 400 hours of training that is specific to the protocols of the North Collier Fire District.

These fifteen firefighters have all completed this rigorous training, including medical protocols for EMTs and paramedics, hazardous materials, technical rescue, firefighter safety, hose deployment, ladder operations, and so much more. They have all been assigned shifts to report to and have begun the year-long process of their “probationary year.”

The graduation ceremony was the first held by the North Collier Fire District and is a tradition that we hope to continue. Fire Chief Eloy Ricardo gifted each firefighter’s family a book called “I Love a Firefighter,” written by Ellen Kirschman, Ph.D.

Chief Ricardo told the crowd these books symbolize the growth of our North Collier Fire family and serve as a welcome to you from us. “A firefighter is not a firefighter by themselves; it takes an incredible foundation of love and support to be a part of the fire family. We will provide our firefighters with all the tools, education, and training they need to be a professional firefighter, and we are also here to provide you, their support system, with the tools necessary to navigate this profession. I am proud to stand here this evening and welcome you all to the North Collier Fire Family. Welcome to the greatest job in the world.”

North Collier Fire Commissioner Chris Lombardo and Fire Chief
Eloy Ricardo welcome the family members of the fifteen new
probationary firefighters

The evening also consisted of viewing a video produced by the fire district highlighting what the firefighters had endured during the past ten weeks and the presentation of the firefighter badges and probationary firefighter helmet shields.

When the event concluded, everyone enjoyed cake, networking, smiles, and family photos.

Congratulations Mason Marty, Ryan Tagland, Erick Torres-Zaldana, Connor Ceilley, Diego Rocha, Brian Normandin, Myles Díaz, Nicolas Cashion, Grady Harrison, Ben Jean, Devon Espinosa, Joseph Goldblatt, Colton Tucker, Nathan Paras, Michael Gaughan.