Liberty County Fire Services graduated seven new firefighters Monday night at the Liberty County Performing Arts Center.

After 18 weeks of grueling training, which included physical stamina and academics, the new firefighters were presented their helmets and gear and will join firehouses located throughout the county.

“These individuals have been pushed to their limits, their breaking points,” said Liberty County Fire Services Chief Brian Darby, “not only with academics, but mentally and physically. Tonight, you have proven you will not quit and you will not give up.”

The class of seven recruits brings the number to 20 who have graduated from the county fire services training over the last three years.

“This is a big milestone for us,” said Capt. James Ashdown, chief of the fire services’ training division. “A little over three years ago, we were all part-time. With this graduation of the third class, we’ve put 20 people on the line through our recruit academy.”

The new recruits will be placed at the county’s three full-time staffed stations. Capt. Ashdown said the recruits went through 18 weeks of rigorous training, learning fire dynamics, how fires operates, how building construction plays into fires and how fire affects a building.

“It’s a lot of deep, intense training,” Capt. Ashdown said.

Recruits have been as young as 18 years, fresh out of high school, Capt. Ashdown said, to those in their mid-40s. The process for recruit class 4 will start soon, he said, and those wishing to fill out an application can go to: https://www.libertycounty ga.com/157/Employment-Opportunities.

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