Warren County Fire Department celebrates 2026 volunteer graduates

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- On Monday evening, the Warren County Fire Department celebrated its 2026 volunteer recruiting class … the first since the program ended a decade ago.

After nine months of training, 16 recruits from across the county graduated and are now certified volunteer firefighters.

Each recruit completed more than 200 hours of training and visited multiple fire stations throughout the area.

Their hard work was recognized during a graduation ceremony attended by family and friends, some of whom had the honor of pinning badges onto the new firefighters’ uniforms.

This marks the first volunteer class in Warren County in 10 years. Officials say the program will help provide departments with much-needed, certified firefighters.

“Volunteers are the backbone of what we do,” said Warren County Fire Chief Bill Rector. “At night and on weekends, it’s 100% volunteer. Even during the day, we rely heavily on volunteer support for staffing.”

The next volunteer training course is scheduled to begin Sept. 10.

For more information, visit their Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/p/Warren-County-Fire-Department-System-61576316099357/