These men received their fire fighter certification this weekend in Pearl at the Mississippi Fire Academy. Left side going up: Jeremy Bunyard Asst. Instructor; Josh Marich Clarkdale VFD; James Feely Toomsuba VFD; Cory Chatham Southeast FPD; Chad Hover Toomsuba VFD. Center: Dillon Sharp Bailey VFD. Right side going up: Keith Reed Asst. Instructor; Chris Sheffield Toomsuba VFD; Josh Rosewall Long Creek VFD; James Blackwell Meehan VFD; Jim Lewis III Lost Gap VFD.

    Nine men completed training in Pearl becoming the latest to join the community of fire fighters in Lauderdale County.

    The nine men, Josh Marich of Clarkdale VFD, James Feely, Chad Hover, and Chris Sheffield, of Toomsuba VFD, Cory Chatahm of Southeast VFD, Josh Rosewall of Long Creek VFD, James Blackwell of Meehan VFD, Dillon Sharp of Bailey VFD and Jim Lewis III of Lost Gap VFD, received their certification Nov. 6 from the Mississippi Fire Academy after performing final exercises.

    “By achieving this goal it sets these men apart from the rest of their communities in that they have become part of a brotherhood of men and women that are willing to risk their lives to provide fire protection and rescue to their communities,” said Allan Dover, who is the Lauderdale County Fire Service coordinator. “We here at the service congratulate these men on making a difference in their communities, the fire service, and the world as a whole.”

    Dover said in May of 2010 the men began a journey to obtain their certification as a fire fighter in Lauderdale County. Dover said what these men did not know is they would dedicate over 130 hours to training over the next six months in obtaining this goal.

    “During this time these nine men would train two to three times a week, three to four hours a night and many hours spent practicing the newly learned skills in their own fire houses,” Dover said.

    Jeremy Bunyard and Keith Reed were assistant instructors for the men during this training period.

     Dover said on Saturday these nine men started the day off at 6 a.m. and traveled to the Mississippi Fire Academy where they began their testing on the skills that would net them the accolade of being recognized as a Mississippi Certified Fire Fighter.

    “There was a great deal of training at their individual fire houses and at the academy during these months,” said Dover. “The level of dedication to reach this goal is very high and that is why these men, and the communities they serve unselfishly, should be proud of this achievement.”

    To learn how you can become a fire fighter contact Fire Coordinator Allan Dover at (601) 482-9856.

    “You can make a difference by becoming part of the fire service,” Dover said. “These men are.”