Bowling Green Fire Department trains new recruits

BOWLING GREEN Ky.- For some new Bowling Green Fire Department recruits, the next 12 weeks will be used for intense training. A training course will give the recruits a chance to get used to their gear, in addition to teaching them valuable skills.

The new recruits are required to complete 400 hours of training before becoming certified firefighters. This training includes team building exercises and search and rescue mission simulations. Training Captain, Shannon Pardue, said teamwork is a big factor in the success of this class.

“We want to train them to not only be able to save citizens, but also to save their fellow firefighters,” said Pardue.

As they form lifelong friendships, the new recruits, like Brennan Elsas, are preparing to work together to better serve the community.

“I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself, and I can’t think of anything better than to be a part of the Bowling Green Fire Department. Bowling Green is home to me, and this is a community I want to serve for the rest of my life,” said Elsas.