Behind the Badge
New firefighters and those with new titles were honored on Friday, May 18 during the Anaheim Fire & Rescue annual Promotion and Graduation Ceremony at City National Grove of Anaheim.
In addition to 13 firefighters/paramedics who recently graduated from the fire academy, 23 sworn members of the department and four administrative support personnel who had been promoted over the course of the year were formally recognized. The sworn members were “pinned” by relatives and loved ones.
Members of Anaheim Fire & Rescue are sworn in under their new promoted rank during the Promotion and Graduation Ceremony at the City National Grove of Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
The 2018 class also had a first, bestowing a Most Inspirational Recruit award, which went to Justin Ybarra.
“We recruit for the best candidates and then make them even stronger through training and education, for they are our department’s future leaders,” Fire Chief Randy Bruegman stated.
Firefighter Travis Acrey receives his new badge from his family during Anaheim Fire & Rescue’s 2018 Recruit Academy graduation ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Bruegman told the recruits they are entering an age when technology and technique are rapidly changing firefighting.
“Be open to change and recognize the speed of change will be unlike anything I experienced in my career,” he said.
The Anaheim Police Department Honor Guard and the Inland Empire Professional Firefighters Pipes & Drums present the colors at the start of the ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
He also told them to be careful.
“Remember, your health and welfare is your most important gift.”
Somersby Jenkins, a 2018 fire academy graduate, had her badge pinned by her sister, San Francisco firefighter Linnea Jenkins, as she was welcomed into the department.
Anaheim firefighters stand for the American flag.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Linnea Jenkins said her sister has the perfect temperament to be a firefighter because “she never gives up.”
That is a quality shared by all the graduates, who went through more than 330 hours of training on numerous devices and techniques in just 40 days.
Anaheim Fire Chief Randy Bruegman speaks at the start of the promotion and graduation ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“I don’t think I could have done this without her,” said Somersby Jenkins, 24, who became the third female firefighter in the department. “She gave me a lot of the details about being a woman firefighter.”
Somersby Jenkins, a former Anaheim Fire & Rescue cadet, said she was also helped along the way by Anaheim Fire & Rescue’s Lacee Valente, who celebrated her promotion to engineer on Friday.
Anaheim Fire Chief Randy Bruegman speaks at the start of the ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Allen Hogue was also among Friday’s promotees. He was promoted to fire marshal earlier this year. Hogue joined the department in 1995 as a fire inspector and was promoted to deputy fire marshal just two years ago.
Seven new captains were announced, as well as 12 engineers, three dispatchers, and four administrative support personnel.
Engineer Erik Garcia with his family after receiving his promotion.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
During the morning presentation, fire trucks, engines, and other vehicles were arrayed in front of the Grove. Inside, family members, co-workers, friends, and well-wishers filled most of the available seats.
The promotees were recognized individually, and several had their badges pinned by firefighter fathers. Others, such as Jenkins, brought their families on stage to share in the badge pinnings.
Fire Marshall Allen Hogue has his new badge pinned to him.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Captain Jim Portillo’s badge was pinned by his father, Jim Portillo Sr., a retired captain with Anaheim Fire & Rescue. Engineer Brent Hirst’s badge was pinned by his father, Bob Hirst, a retired chief with Anaheim Fire & Rescue. In addition, three of the new recruits had their badges pinned by fathers who have retired from the fire service.
MetroNet Dispatcher Alexis Foster has her new badge pinned to her.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
MetroNet Dispatcher Alexis Foster after receiving her new badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
MetroNet Dispatcher McKenna Untiedt smiles after receiving her new badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Dispatcher McKenna Untiedt of Metro Net Fire Dispatch.
File photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
MetroNet Dispatcher Amanda Del Prato after receiving her new badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Engineer Erik Garcia is greeted by his family before receiving his new badge for his promotion during Anaheim Fire & Rescue’s Promotion and Graduation Ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Captain David Reeves receives his new captain’s badge from his wife, Rebecca Reeves.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Captain Roger Domen smiles after receiving his new captain’s badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Captain Christopher Valente has his new captain’s badge pinned to him as his wife, Anaheim Fire & Rescue Engineer Lacee Valente and their twin daughters, Kylie and Makayla, watch.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Captain Christopher Valente, after receiving his new captain’s badge, with his family, including his wife, Anaheim Fire & Rescue Engineer Lacee Valente and their twin daughters, Kylie and Makayla.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Captain Frank Medina, right, is congratulated by Anaheim Fire Chief Randy Bruegman, center, and Captain Marcel Medina, left, as Medina receives his promotion.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Captain Frank Medina, right, with Captain Marcel Medina after receiving his new captain’s badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Captain Jerod Blomberg after receiving his new captain’s badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Captain Jim Portillo has his new captain’s badge pinned to him.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Captain Jim Portillo after receiving his new captain’s badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Captain Michel Bowidowicz has his new captain’s badge pinned to him by his wife, Jami, as his family watches.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Honor Guard Michel Bowidowicz.
File photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Captain Michel Bowidowicz with his wife, Jami, and daughters after receiving his new captain’s badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Engineer Patrick Burton after receiving his badge for his promotion.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Engineer Tony Manzo receives his new badge from his family for his promotion.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Engineer Tony Manzo with his family after receiving his badge for his promotion.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Engineer Lacee Valente, second from right, with her family that includes her husband, Anaheim Fire & Rescue Captain Christopher Valente and their twin daughters, Kylie and Makayla, after receiving her promotion.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Engineer/Paramedic Lacee Valente.
File photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Engineer Mark Edinger receives his new badge from his family.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Engineer Mark Edinger with his family after receiving his promotion.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Engineer Pomerne Jones (PJ) after receiving his promotion.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Pomerne Jones (PJ), right, erects a ladder with Sean Mazza, left, and Michael Hoover at the tower of the North Net Training Center.
File photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Engineer David DuFrene with his family after receiving his new badge for his promotion.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Engineer David DuFrene with his family after receiving his new badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Engineer Brent Hirst is congratulated after receiving his promotion.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Engineer Paul Erskine gets a kiss after receiving his promotion.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Engineer Paul Erskine with his family after receiving his promotion.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
The 2018 Recruit Academy graduates take the oath of office during Anaheim Fire & Rescue’s Promotion and Graduation Ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Firefighter Justin Ybarra, right, was awarded the 2018 Recruit Academy Most Inspirational Recruit award. Next to him are fellow graduates Michael Hitchcock and Somersby Jenkins.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Now Firefighter Justin Ybarra, right, receives the 2018 Recruit Academy Most Inspirational Recruit award from Anaheim Fire Chief Randy Bruegman.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Firefighter Justin Ybarra receives the 2018 Recruit Academy Most Inspirational Recruit award from Fire Academy Commander Battalion Chief Chad Thompson, left, and Anaheim Fire Chief Randy Bruegman.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Firefighter Travis Acrey with his family after receiving his new badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Firefighter Jeremy Bender, right, with his father, OCFA Capt. Larry Bender, after receiving his new badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Firefighter Brett England after receiving his new badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Firefighter Mitchell Gillaspie receives his new badge from his father, Downey Fire Chief Mark Gillaspie and his mother, Sue.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Firefighter Mitchell Gillaspie receives his new badge from his father, Downey Fire Chief Mark Gillaspie and his mother, Sue.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Firefighter Joe Gooding has his new badge pinned to him.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Firefighter Michael Hitchcock with his family.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Recruit Michael Hitchcock puts out a fire on a burning car during a drill at Anaheim’s North Net Fire Training Center.
File photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Firefighter Somersby Jenkins, right, has her badge pinned to her by her sister, who is with the San Francisco Fire Department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Firefighter Somersby Jenkins, right, with her sister, who is with the San Francisco Fire Department.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Firefighter Brendan Kalfus with his family after receiving his new badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Firefighter/Paramedic Lukas Mathews, right, receives his new badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Recruit Lukas Mathews.
File photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Firefighter Scott Roberts has his new badge pinned to him by his family.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Recruit Scott Roberts.
File photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Firefighter Scott Roberts with his family after receiving his new badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Firefighter/Paramedic Ryan Steslicki gets a kiss from his girlfriend while holding his daughter after receiving his new badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Recruit Ryan Steslicki gives his 3-year-old daughter, Kensington Steslicki, a tour of a fire engine during the Anaheim Fire & Rescue Family Day at the North Net Fire Training Center.
File photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Firefighter/Paramedic Ryan Steslicki with his daughter and girlfriend after receiving his new badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Firefighter/Paramedic Michael White with his family.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Firefighter Justin Ybarra has his new badge pinned to him by his family as Anaheim Fire Chief Randy Bruegman watches during 2018 Recruit Academy Anaheim Fire & Rescue graduation ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
The 2018 Recruit Academy graduates take the oath of office during Anaheim Fire & Rescue’s Promotion and Graduation Ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
