GIFC welcomes new members for 2008

Grand Island Dispatch, April 4, 2008
by Ray Pauley
Public Information Officer
Grand Island Fire Co.

Grand Island Fire Chief Greg Butcher reports that 12 new members of the fire company were recently voted into the ranks of the GIFC, and represent one of the largest groups of rookies ever accepted.

Butcher noted that three of these recruits were elevated from fire cadet status where they proved their worth as future firefighters. He also noted that recruitment and retention of firefighters is recognized as a paramount priority if the GIFC is to keep pace with a growing community as well as emergency incidents that reached 1,700 calls for the second consecutive year.

Ryan Ayers (a former cadet), David Cich Jr., David Dawson, Paul Dhand (former cadet), Nicole Gerber, Rob Justen, Jeanette Martinez, Pat Peri, Pooya Rostami, Michael Scapecchio, Ryan Shea and Don Turner (former cadet) commenced their orientation during February and have entered into an intensive six-month training period, lead instructor John Wenner said.

Besides in-house cadet experience, several other rookie recruits have unique backgrounds that will contribute to their overall advancement. Dawson has CPR and CFR certifications; Gerber has an extensive first aid and CPR background; Martinez is presently in EMT college training; and Shea is a former firefighter with EMT certification.