The Class of 2014 Mesquite Fire Academy: Jose Fernandez, Nate Hannig, Norm Nielson, Kasen Hughes, Rick Pitcher, Terran Leavitt, Jason Blakely, Travis Leavitt, Branon Chesley, Chaisson Low, Breven Chesley, Andrew Phillips, Zac Espejo and Class President Alexis Santisteban. Photo by Lou Martin.
The Mesquite Fire and Rescue Department held a dinner celebration Saturday night at the Mesquite Elks Lodge honoring the 2014 Fire Academy graduation class and the pinning of two new fire captains. Deputy Chief Rick Resnick acted as Master of Ceremonies for the night’s festivities. Resnick thanked everyone for attending including the Elks Lodge for cooking the meal and supplying the facility.
Police Chief Kash Christopher (from left to right) pins new Captains Will Martinez and Shawn Tobler as P.I.O. John Gately looks on. Photo by Lou Martin
Resnick then introduced Mesquite Fire Chief Kash Christopher who gave thank-you gifts to H.R. Gina Martinez for her efforts and former New Jersey Battalion Chief Mike Benham a tee shirt naming him an honorary member of the department. Christopher then pinned Will Martinez and Shawn Tobler as the fire department’s newest Fire Captains to huge applause.
Chief Kash Christopher presents a gift to Fire Department supporter Mike Benham. Photo by Lou Martin
Christopher called 19 firefighters up to receive their new Fireman scramble badges for the collars of their Class B work uniforms. Christopher then turned the microphone over to new Captain Will Martinez, Commandant of the Fire Academy, who explained the workload the graduating class has endured since April.
Martinez then called forward the graduates who received their diplomas and a hand shake from Chief Christopher. Martinez then provided a video of the Academy’s training program to the audience. Martinez thanked Primex Corporation and A-Truss for their help at the Academy.
Family members came forward to celebrate with the graduates. The graduates will now be reserves in Mesquite and some will go on to the Fire Academy in Las Vegas. “Every time there is a graduating class, we will have a family get-together (Fire Department) and break bread. It will always be an end of Summer celebration,” said Fire Chief Christopher.
