From staff reports
On Friday evening, Oct. 6, in front of family and friends, four local firefighters – three from the Burton Fire District and one from the Lady’s Island/St. Helena Fire District – graduated from their basic firefighter course held at the Burton Fire District.
After 11 weeks of fire academy training at the Burton Fire District’s training facility, Jonathan Aldana, Chad Bird, Joseph Calandra and Samuel Thomas have graduated the course and met the standards to receive nationally recognized firefighter credentials.
Lady’s Island/St. Helena Fire District Firefighter Aldana was nominated by his fellow classmates and received the Pride of the Battalion Award, which is given to the student who continuously goes above and beyond in training and study both during classroom hours as well as after hours.
Burton Fire District Firefighter Thomas was chosen by the instructors to receive the Lee Walters Order of the Maltese Cross award. This award, named after Sheldon Fire District Assistant Fire Chief Lee Walters, who died in the line of duty after suffering a medical emergency at a house fire, is given to the student who most exemplifies the ethos and ethics of the fire service.
Burton Fire District Firefighter Calandra received the John Oram Academic Achievement Award for the highest-grade point average throughout the training.
While all four firefighters will soon be reporting for duty and applying their new knowledge and
skills responding to emergency calls, their training, including emergency medical training, will
continue.
