Beaumont Fire and Rescue held its annual pinning and promotion ceremony Nov. 13, adding seven firefighters and four EMS workers to the crew, as well as retiring a combined 106 years of service.
Serving the department for more than 40 years, and as Fire Chief since 2018, Earl White welcomed guests and bestowed honors on retirees, announcing promotions, and celebrating new hires.
After 29 years of dedicated service, firefighter David Lafley has decided to hang up his bunker gear and embrace a well-earned retirement. Joining him are driver Thomas Galavis, with 31 years of service, Capt. Jamey Wilkins, 22 years of service, and District Chief Josh Fowler, who served the department for 24 years.
Joining the department in 1994, District Chief Scott Wheat received his 30-year pin alongside driver/operator Michael Hawkins, who has served the department 35 years.
Captain Ryan Jones and Advanced EMT/QA Officer Kevin Romero were each honored with service pins after two decades of dedication, joining many others in celebrating their years of commitment.
After 22 years of service, Joseph McCullough was promoted to district chief, while Jake Messer, Benjamin Ehrhart and Gary Warrick were each promoted to captain.
Taking the oath of office as department new hires include firefighters Jeremy Morrow, Daniel Arevalo, Shane Fortner, William Conner, Joshua Alamia, Waysie Jensen and Logan Phipps, as well as EMS new hires Dennis Walton, Haden Blanchard, David Collier Jr., and Michael Jantzen.
Starting salaries at $65,700 with the potential of more than $74,000 after the probationary period, the city is actively seeking to fill firefighter positions with persons who have completed Fire Academy and the EMT basic course. Cognitive skills testing is scheduled for Dec. 5 for firefighter applicants.
With a $3,000 hiring incentive and a pay at $16.41-$18 per hour, the Beaumont Fire Department is also looking to hire Basic or Intermediate EMTs. Parttime positions are available, but do not include the hiring incentive.
Paramedics will receive a $5,000 hiring incentive and a wage of $23/ hour, as the department seeks to add additional qualified personnel.