Forty recruits who completed a 28-week training academy were pinned and sworn in as probationary firefighters by the Austin Fire Department at a graduation ceremony March 24 at Bannockburn Church.

The ceremony featured the presentation of colors by the Austin Fire Honor Guard and the Star-Spangled Banner sung by Cadet Christopher Lanier, followed by remarks from Battalion Chief Jamie Silas, who served as master of ceremonies. Fire Chief Joel Baker administered the oath of office to the new probationary firefighters.

The graduation recognized individual awards and the role of training staff and volunteer team leaders. Captain Matt Martin presented the Best All-Around award and described the leather helmet presented as a traditional symbol of the fire service. The Hammer Award went to Cadet Nathan Morrow; the Most Physically Fit award went to Cadet Travis Rounds; Best All-Around was Cadet Christopher Lanier; and valedictorian honors went to Cadet Zach Pelt.

In his remarks, valedictorian Zach Pelt reflected on the academy’s emphasis on trust and teamwork, saying, "There was something that was instilled in us that was just beyond that." Battalion Chief Silas and Assistant Chief Tom Vokey thanked team leaders and civilian staff for mentoring the recruits through the 28-week program. Silas also thanked Bannockburn Church for hosting the ceremony and multiple community and professional partners who attended, including representatives of the Austin Firefighters Association Local 975, the Austin Hispanic Firefighters, the Austin African American Firefighters Association, Austin-Travis County EMS, and the Central Texas Public Safety Commission.

Fire Chief Joel Baker administered the oath and told the new firefighters, "On behalf of more than 1,200 men and women of Austin Fire, congratulations, firefighters." After the oath and pinning, the new probationary firefighters recited training-division mottos and were dismissed by a probationary firefighter from the department’s training division.

The ceremony listed each recruit and the family or guest who pinned them during the badge presentations; it closed with a video showing training activities from the 28-week academy.

The event formalized the recruits’ probationary appointment to Austin Fire; no votes or policy decisions were taken during the ceremony.