by BECKY GOFF
Little Apple Post
MANHATTAN - Manhattan Fire Department has grown their force by eight new firefighters on Friday.
Three full time firefighters and 5 student firefighters have graduated from Manhattan Fire Academy.
“Developing those relationships throughout all of the physically demanding stuff and mentally demanding stuff and all the tasks we had to perform and just really building a bond with all the guys in the academy, it’s been a blast.” Manhattan Fire Department Student Firefighter, Liv Lubbers says.
During graduation, each firefighter was pinned by a family member before receiving their helmets.
"It feels partially surreal. It's something I've wanted for a really long time, and it...it's here. I'm really happy obviously and I'm really proud of the work that my teammates and I have accomplished." Manhattan Fire Department Probationary Firefighter, Benjamin Gomez says.
The firefighters will go through a probationary year, as part of the fire department protocol.
The graduates presented a restored piece of fire equipment with picture of their class to the Department as a memento of the class.