Sixteen new Klein Volunteer Fire Department firefighters completed training and graduated Thursday night at a ceremony held at the KVFD Administration Building.

 

Before graduating, the firefighters had to make it through about 70 hours of training and instruction, most of which is very hands-on, said Shawn Donald, a KVFD volunteer firefighter and recruit class coordinator.

 

Donald said after graduation the new firefighters enter a probationary period, when they are able to perform all of the duties of a normal firefighter with additional supervision. Donald said the length of the probationary period varies, but that occasionally the period can last up to a year.

 

After the probationary period is complete, firefighters receive a black helmet, which signifies their progress through the ranks. Donald said this promotion means the firefighters can perform all normal firefighter duties with less supervision, unless the situation calls for it.

 

Five out of the 16 firefighters who graduated last night will work at Station 38, the new fire station in the Gleannloch Farms subdivision, when it opens, Station 38 Senior Captain Jeff Turner said.

 

Turner said construction should be complete by late September or early October and the station will be fully operational about a month later.

 

Turner said the station will initially be staffed with 12 or 13 firefighters, including firefighters from surrounding stations who are willing to help out. Turner said Station 38 will rely on support from other stations until it is able to train more volunteers.

 

“Once the station is up and running we will have volunteer classes and staff from the volunteers who complete the classes,” Turner said. “After classes the volunteers need to continue training throughout the probation period until they can do everything on their own.”

 

Turner said Station 38 isn’t the only one in need of volunteers and that all of the stations need additional staff. Turner said any residents who are interested in volunteering can go online and fill out an application for whichever station is most convenient for them.