Ocala Fire Rescue recently announced seven new hires.
Those firefighters – Aaron Bertine, Jonathan George, Chad Grenier, James Hensley, Timothy Herff, Justin Hoke and Nicholas Rakoczy – completed an arduous hiring process and countless training sessions where they were required to show that they possessed character traits necessary to be a member of the Ocala Fire Rescue team.
The seven new firefighters also were honored during a recent pinning ceremony where they took an oath in front of family members and fellow firefighters.
The ceremony was preceded by a presentation of the road to pinning – a video showcasing some of the many skills the seven had to master during their training, as well as recognition of newly promoted Capt. Eric Prendergast and fire engine operator Ashley Andrews.