Six Paducah Firefighters graduate from KY's first academy class

Graduates in the first class from Kentucky's Firefighter Recruit Academy included six from the Paducah Fire Department.

Nicholas Bogart, Jakobe Bridges, Nicholas Hatton, Hunter Matlock, Trayle Prescott, and Michael Winnans were among 26 recruits from around the state that graduated from the new Recruit Academy that is run by the Kentucky Fire Commission.

Paducah Fire Chief Steve Kyle attended the graduation ceremony in Powderly, Kentucky along with City Manager Daron Jordan and others.

Jordan said, “First responders are on the front lines protecting our community, and we welcome these newest firefighters as part of Team Paducah. Today’s firefighters do far more than fight fires. The training they received will allow them to better serve our community as they respond to all types of hazards and emergencies.”

Chief Kyle added, “This new Firefighter Recruit Academy provides high quality training more efficiently and effectively than departments can provide on their own. In addition, the State Fire Commission provides the training, housing, and meals free of charge. This Academy training saves valuable time and resources allowing us to be focused on maintaining our annual requirements and growing our in-depth knowledge of fire science with our current employees.”

The comprehensive training program runs 13 weeks.
 

 
(Photo courtesy of Paducah Fire Department - Pictured (back row): Assistant Chief Jody Burton, Deputy Chief Greg Cherry, Fire Chief Steve Kyle, Deputy Chief David Denton, Recruit Nicholas Bogart, City Manager Daron Jordan, Recruit Jakobe Bridges, Fire Training Officer Chris Owen, Assistant Chief John Potter, and Assistant Chief Patrick Hatton
(front row) Recruit Hunter Matlock, Recruit Nicholas Hatton, Recruit Trayle Prescott, and Recruit Michael Winnans)