Seven new firefighters joined the team.
Seven new firefighters completed a four-week orientation and program designed to prepare them for the physical, technical, and operational challenges of fire service for the City of Plant City. The training combined physical conditioning, field exercises, and classroom instruction to give the recruits a strong foundation in both emergency response skills and department operations. On August 29, the staff were sworn in during a pinning ceremony. Why did new recruits sign up to serve the City of Plant City?
“I grew up in this area, so I’ve always loved this town,” Firefighter EMT Booke Boyce said. “The Strawberry Festival is a thing we always attended growing up. I actually work in town at a local barbershop. I am full-time with Fire Rescue, then the barbershop is full/part-time. I have worked in Plant City for the last four years. I love the town, love the people. It is super-small, which I appreciate things like that. Every call is different, so you never know what you are getting yourself into. It is kind of a surprise and an adrenaline rush. To me is it is rewarding. I want to help people; that is why we are here.”
The shifts in Plant City are 24 hours on, 48 hours off.
Ethan Smith lives in Wesley Chapel. “I actually was recommended this job through my step-father, who is a retired firefighter, now fire inspector,” Smith said. “He knows some of the administration, so I was kind of familiar with them also because they were my administrators when I went through Fire Academy. I know Chief Dittman and Chief Muzzy. It seemed like a good fit. When I interviewed, it all clicked because everybody here is friendly. I thought all of these firefighters were over-hyping the job, but it is the best job ever; the best job you can get. When you are working, you are saving lives.”
EMT school is separate from the Fire Academy. It takes about eight months, attending full time, to complete both.
“I originally came here for an EMT ride-along for EMT school,” Firefighter EMT Francesca Lake Connon said. “I loved how they worked, and I loved the efficiency; how quick they were with things. They also let me learn different stuff while I was here and showed me different things I would see in the future as a firefighter and EMT. My interview went really well, they were very nice and friendly. They also made me feel welcome, like I wasn’t just a random person. I felt like I had an instant family connection. Throughout the whole process of training, they always pushed me and motivated me to do better. I love it. It’s fun, I would not regret coming here, and I love the teamwork they have here at the department.”
The recruits train every day and are consistently in motion, taking on tasks like cleaning their fire station, checking equipment, and learning new tactics.
“I came to Plant City for so many things, honestly,” Firefighter EMT Jose Cruz said. “I met some Plant City firefighters while I was working for Americare Ambulance. I have never seen any other firefighters represent their department as well as they did. It made me really interested in Plant City. I have some friends that live here, and I love the community and love the people. So, I wanted to give back to them. I work in fire because of the brotherhood you get from the fire service, knowing that when times get tough, you have a crew with you. You get the job done together. That strong brotherhood is something I have looked for, and I have always been passionate about helping out the community. I understand when we get dispatched out to these calls, we are going at someone’s worst time, and knowing that me, as well as my other brothers, can come and give some hope, give some aid to people on their worst days, is the accomplishment that I am passionate about.”
