Seven new faces were officially welcomed into the Vicksburg Fire Department (VFD) family during a graduation ceremony held Tuesday at the Vicksburg Convention Center, marking the completion of VFD’s first in-house training class.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001 Firefighter I-II VFD Class 01 was headed up by VFD Chief of Training Courtney Reed and includes graduates: Salutatorian Lemichal Paul Anderson, firefighter; Michael Curtis Barnett, firefighter; Jami Kristen Blackledge, firefighter/paramedic; Valedictorian Peyton Quitman McDaniel, firefighter; Hayden Bryce McDougal, firefighter; Kaleb Desean Offord, firefighter; and Tremaun Deonte Williams, firefighter.

“Chief Reed showed us what to do and what to expect,” Blackledge said during the ceremony. “Over the next several months, our days were filled with morning lectures and tests, afternoon PT and after-lunch skills. We faced all the challenges presented to us head-on and with great enthusiasm. We learned what it means to be resilient. We learned what it means to overcome many challenges on a daily basis.”

Fire Chief Derrick Stamps said the in-house training is an important step for the department.

“We typically send firefighters to the Mississippi Fire Academy (MSFA) for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001 I-II course, which lasts seven weeks,” Stamps said. “This in-house training allows the department to use the candidates as essential personnel for responding to emergencies. The Vicksburg Fire Department began its journey with several firefighters who needed essential training. Understanding the critical role of comprehensive preparation in effective firefighting, we confronted the challenge of delivering timely and impactful training while operating within a tight budget. To meet this challenge head-on, we took the initiative to establish an in-house training program.”

Stamps said the new program is a plus for VFD, an advantage that will be passed along to the community.

“This proactive approach transformed our vision into reality, significantly bolstering our firefighting skills and ultimately enhancing the safety of our community,” he said. “Through this effort, we aimed not only to equip our team with the necessary skills, but also to instill greater confidence and readiness in our ability to respond to emergencies.”

While Stamps and Deputy Chief Jessica Cade each delivered a welcome message to graduates during Tuesday’s ceremony, retired Vicksburg Fire Chief Charles M. Atkins Jr. served as the ceremony’s guest speaker.

“You’ve gotten off to a good start so far,” Atkins told graduates. “A third of our lives are spent at the fire station. And we look back, as you all will look back, and appreciate those years. Always remember where you started.”