Greeneville, TN -
On the evening of November 21st, 2024, the Greeneville Fire Department held a ceremony at Fire Station #2 on Carson Street for over twenty members of their team. It entailed an oath of office and badge pinning for new firefighters who were recently hired, and subsequently, graduated from the Northeast Tennessee Regional Fire Training Academy (NTRFTA) at the end of October. Additionally, other GFD firefighters, some that have been with the company for years, also wanted to be a part of the ceremony to publicly pledge their commitment to their duties and responsibilities as a Greeneville firefighter or officer.
The ceremony began at 6 p.m. in the spacious engine bays of the fire station. The engines were moved outside to make way for chairs, a table, and podium. Around seventy family members and friends gathered to support the firefighters. Chaplain Danny Ricker set the mood of honor with the delivery of the invocation. Todd Smith, Town of Greeneville City Manager, said a few words of gratitude for the work that the Greeneville Fire Department does for the safety and protection of our community.
Greeneville Mayor Cal Doty came to the podium next. He began the swearing-in by having 16 of the firefighters stand, raise their right hands, and repeat the oath. Some of the language included the phrases, “…my fundamental duty is to serve the people I swear to protect, to safeguard and preserve life, health, and property against fire and other perils... I will never allow my personal feelings, nor danger to self, deter me from my responsibilities as a firefighter.”
As this portion concluded, the firefighters approached a table in small groups to sign their oath. As they found their seats again, it was now time for eight officers to stand, raise their right hand, and make a similar pledge with language added to reflect their extra responsibilities as leaders. They then signed at the table, four at a time, as the earlier group had done.
Greeneville Fire Chief Alan Shipley delivered remarks detailing the sacrifices of a firefighter and the meaning behind the Maltese Cross that forms the shape of the firefighter badge. It is a symbol for protection and a badge of courage and honor. For the pinning ceremony, firefighters were invited to the front, one at a time, with a family members or friends, joining them to pin their badge onto dress blue uniforms. As the ceremony concluded, Chief Shipley noted that the department is a huge family and that all were invited for refreshments in the lobby area. The evening wrapped up after firefighters and their guests enjoyed pastries and desserts, mingled, and posed for photos.
Firefighters (alphabetical): Zak Babb, Dustin Barr, Maurice Borunda-Reyes, Jordy Clark, Tim Frye, Spencer Hughes, Patrick Johnston, Brandon Kinser, Isaic Manis, Luke Myers, Steven Myers, Andrew Ruthven, Terry Rose, Steven Schrock, Kasey Seals, Gage Spano
Officers (alphabetical): Lt. Daniel Chandler, Capt. James Foshie, Lt. Ryan Holt, Lt. Michael Kinser, Lt. Kendall Parman, Battalion Chief Eric Price, Capt. Matthew Solomon, Fire Marshal David Weems