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ConFire's Denise Cannon administers the oath to the graduating class of Academy 47. Photo Nick Marnell
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The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District held its graduation ceremony for the 15 firefighters of Academy 47 on Jan. 15 in Concord near the district training facility. While the event bore a formal, almost militaristic air early on, the tone relaxed as the new firefighters satirized actions of their superiors, and family members pinned their heroes at the conclusion of the festivities.
Retired De La Salle High School football coach Bob Ladouceur, subject of the 2014 hit movie "When the Game Stands Tall," delivered the keynote address. He talked about the similarities between football and firefighting, stressing the necessity for teamwork and how critical it is to watch each others' backs at all times. He also said that he applied to become a firefighter many years ago, "but I failed the written test," he confessed. His daughter learned from his mistake, though, as she works as a firefighter with the Berkeley Fire Department.
"These firefighters should be proud that they have passed all the tests and rigors of our hiring and recruit processes, and they are now on the street serving the citizens of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District," said Fire Chief Jeff Carman. "I am confident that our academy staff has prepared them to pass their probationary period and we welcome these new firefighters to the district."
Probationary firefighters Peter Doppe and Natividad Porras are assigned to Lafayette stations 15 and 17, respectively. N. Marnell
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA