Citrus County Fire Rescue held a new hire pinning ceremony on Friday, November 16, at the Fire Rescue Training Center in Lecanto. The Citrus County Fire Rescue’s seven new firefighters are Austin Brecht, Todd Godwin, Michael Huchro, Scott McLean, Nicholas Palumbo, Daniel Pastrana, and Anthony Stellato.

In the audience were friends, family and firefighters to participate in recognizing the newly hired firefighters who had successfully completed the new hire orientation and were now ready to take their oath. Speakers at the event were Fire Chief Craig Stevens, Deputy Chief Keith Long, and Chief of Training Greg Ellis.

Citrus County Fire Rescue’s mission is “Dedicated to Exceptional Service through Prevention, Response and Education.” “We are all very proud of them. Some of the new hire firefighters went through our fire academy for firefighter I & II and are now starting their career here with the department.” said Citrus County Fire Chief Craig Stevens.

The Mission of the Citrus County fire-training center is “Providing quality and well-trained firefighters.” Since its doors opened in October 1999, the Citrus County Fire Training Center has been committed to providing quality training for Citrus County Firefighters. The Training Center offers over 20 certificate Programs of Study. Not only does the Center provide a quality training facility for our volunteers and career firefighters, it is also a State Certified Training Center as well open to anyone. The courses we offer allows our firefighters the ability to obtain state certifications in a variety of specialty courses.

For more information on Citrus County Fire Rescue training programs visit: http://www.citruscountyfire.com/ .

Attached Photo: Citrus County newly hired firefighters from left to right; Michael Huchro, Scott McLean, Anthony Stellato, Todd Godwin, Daniel Pastrana, Austin Brecht, and Nicholas Palumbo