[0:03] Good morning everyone. If we could find our seats and stand for the posting of colors from the Minneapolis Fire Honor [0:10] Guard. [0:20] [Music] [0:25] Heat. Heat. [Music] [1:13] Heat. Heat. [1:28] [Music] [1:37] Heat. Heat. [1:43] [Music] [2:43] presents. [2:48] Order arms. [3:16] Please be seated. [3:22] I'm Assistant Chief Wes Van Bickl and on behalf of the Minneapolis Fire Department, I'd like to welcome all the [3:27] friends and family that have shown up today to support these cadetses and [3:33] honor them as they graduate and become firefighters with the Minneapolis Fire Department. [3:39] Uh I'm going to have Assistant Chief Melanie Rucker come up and do some honoring of the dignitaries that have [3:45] also come to support us today. [3:54] Good morning. Welcome to this wonderful graduation of your friends and family. [4:02] Um, I'd like to thank our dignitaries for coming. Uh, first of all, we have Mayor Fry that's here. He will be [4:08] talking to us shortly. And then we have Council Member Vita and Council Member Rainville and also our Commissioner [4:16] Barnett. Thank you for coming to support this wonderful group of new firefighters [4:21] coming in. And just for a little bit of like housekeeping, restrooms for the [4:27] women are on the right, men are on the left. So if you have to go get a Kleenex [4:32] because you're crying too much, then you can make make sure you know which way to go. All right. Can I I would like to [4:38] welcome up Mayor Fry. And he will have a couple words for you all. [Applause] [4:49] Good morning everybody. How we doing today? So this is an important and formal [4:56] occasion, but it's also one that deserves celebration. Uh it's okay to laugh. It's okay to smile. It's okay to [5:04] applaud this incredible class of soon to be firefighters. Give it up for them. [5:18] I want to give a big thank you to Southwest High School for hosting us today. Uh a thank you to our chief [5:26] Tiner, uh our assistant chiefs, uh our commissioner Barnett and the council [5:31] members that are here with us today and council member Latricia Vita and Council Member Michael Rainville. We're honored [5:37] to have you with us. Give them a round of applause, please. [5:46] All of these incredible individuals behind me decided to embark on a journey [5:52] to become fire cadetses. The reason that they are in these seats right now is [5:59] that they understood the importance of you don't even need to worry about that too much. I just had a little one two [6:05] days ago and so I get it. Believe me. Uh, [6:11] a little laughing, a little crying, a little applauding is just okay, especially right here. Uh, because these [6:16] are some incredible individuals that also have amazing families that are here before them. Uh, and they are supported [6:23] not just by elected officials and our chief of fire, but also the amazing [6:30] people that are allowing them to do what they do. People that pick them up and put them back together every night. [6:36] people that make sure that they have the kind of nurturing at home because it's not just them that are technically going [6:42] in to fight the fires. Maybe technically it is, but practically speaking, it's a whole family worth of incredible people [6:50] that have decided to embark on this journey together. And the reason that they are embarking on this journey is [6:56] they care deeply about public service. We don't come to these jobs by accident. [7:03] You come to them with great intention. You don't arrive at the decision to work [7:09] at the city of Minneapolis because you want to get rich. By the way, the pay is pretty damn good. But uh the reason that [7:16] you come to do these jobs is that you care about making the city a better place. And what I have told each and [7:24] every one of these soontobe firefighters is they're not just entering a fire [7:30] department. They're entering and becoming one with a whole team of people that work at the [7:38] city. And they may have a unique niche, a unique skill set that makes the city a [7:44] little bit better, but they're operating as a part of a great and overarching [7:49] team. That team is something to be proud of. And some members of that team, they [7:55] care about the way that the water tastes and that's all that they do. Some members of that team, they fill potholes [8:02] and they fill those potholes with precision and excellence and pride. Some [8:07] people do finance. Some people put up homes. And yes, some people when a 911 [8:13] call comes in during someone's most difficult moment of their entire life, [8:20] they respond. They respond with bravery and courage. They run towards the fire [8:26] when so many of the rest of us would run in exactly the opposite direction. Uh [8:32] they understand the importance of wearing that badge that they will and [8:37] that uniform that they do to make the city a better and safer place. [8:43] They understand that when you put on that badge, uh, not only is it a sense [8:49] of pride, not only will you be able to stand tall and kick your shoulders back, knowing that you're a hero for stepping [8:56] up for people during their most difficult moments, but with that badge comes a whole lot of responsibility. The [9:03] lights don't just shine on you when you're on a stage like this. The lights will shine on you all the time. And with [9:10] that, you got to make sure that you're representing the city with the kind of integrity that the job and the badge [9:16] deserve. It means that when people are watching what you're doing, you've got to be doing it with compassion. [9:23] You've got to not just abide by the rules, but also making sure that you're [9:29] setting an example for so many others to follow. As Mark Lausski will tell you, and he's [9:36] exactly right, you are looking at the best fire department in the entire [9:42] country, you're looking at a group of people that are the cream of the crop. [9:48] uh when you sign up for this local and you sign up for this fire department, uh [9:54] it means that you've done your homework and it means that you've arrived through this training uh in a way that allows [10:01] you to become a firefighter of the Minneapolis Fire Department. There is nothing more incredible than that. Uh [10:08] and so you all should be proud today. You all should feel the weight of [10:13] responsibility on your shoulders because it's most definitely there. And also you should celebrate because this is a big [10:20] moment. This is a big moment that is emblematic and representative of a whole lot of work and a whole lot of people [10:27] that have made this day possible for you. So thank you to all of you that have answered the call to service. Thank [10:34] you all of you who are soon to be firefighters. We have every faith in your leadership and I know that you're [10:40] going to get the job done. Thank you so much. [Applause] [10:54] Good morning everyone. My name is Brian Tiner. I am the fire chief of the Minneapolis Fire Department. If you [11:00] didn't know, and I know that the families do because you've been a part of this journey, the journey to become a [11:06] Minneapolis firefighter is a long and arduous one. from the time that they [11:11] applied for this job to the time they went through the testing to the time they started in the rookie class till [11:18] the time that they are graduating from the rookie class has been a long time. even their time in cadet school has been [11:24] months in the making and they've come from knowing well most of them I don't know some of them may have been [11:29] firefighters before almost nothing to uh I won't say almost everything but quite a bit quite a bit and so they've built a [11:36] great base upon which to work off of and we are very proud of that so let's give [11:42] him a hand [Applause] [11:50] I'd like to talk about first of all I' I'd like to thank uh the family that have supported them and will continue to [11:56] support them uh throughout their journey to become a firefighter and more importantly throughout their time as a [12:03] firefighter. So, please give yourselves a hand. [12:10] And with that, I want to talk about a little bit about what we're about to see and what these uniforms represent. Uh [12:17] the uniform of a firefighter is I mean it looks nice and clean and shiny and things like that but it actually comes [12:23] with meaning. Uh today they are going to be presented with their badges. Uh these [12:28] badges are not just a metal piece of uh you know just an object that sits on [12:35] their chest on their chest. It comes with meaning. It comes with a trust that they will instantly receive the moment [12:41] they put that badge on. a trust that has been built up over decades and even uh [12:48] over a century around the world. If anywhere you go around the world, people trust a [12:54] firefighter because of what that badge represents. That trust has been built up by all the firefighters that have come [13:00] before you. And I charge each and every one of you today to conduct yourselves in a manner that will continue to move [13:07] that trust forward. That badge is worn on the left side over your heart. And that's for a reason. [13:14] On each one of your shoulders is a patch. That patch says Minneapolis Fire Department, EMT and Rescue. That is to [13:23] signify the department that you represent. As the mayor just said, the finest department in the world. Uh, and [13:29] in my humble opinion, I think he's right. So, so we ask that you conduct yourself in a [13:37] way each and every day through your duties that honor the department and its [13:42] history. And finally, each one of you on your right side have a small little [13:47] medal piece with your last name on it. That is because you are also representing your families. That is your [13:55] family name. And so as you go through your daily duties and you're out in [14:01] public as a firefighter serving with compassion, know that besides also honoring the profession and honoring the [14:09] department, you are also honoring your family. So my charge to you today is to [14:14] conduct yourself in a manner throughout your career that honors the profession, [14:21] that honors the department, and that honors your family name. Thank you. [14:32] And uh now I would like to bring up the uh president of the International [14:38] Association of Firefighters, Local 82, President Mark Vicaus. [14:47] Thank you. What's going on? Uh welcome everybody. You know, uh I don't write speeches. I just kind of wing it, speak [14:53] from the heart, and u done this a couple times, but I'm going to actually talk to the people who are graduating a little [14:58] bit. But everybody, there's just a couple things I want to say. Um I remember 25 years ago me graduating. [15:05] You're going to remember it forever. Uh plenty of family members in here. So you've seen the life, you've seen what goes on over the 20 25 years. I guess [15:12] the biggest part I want to two piece I want to talk about being the you know [15:17] with local 82 and representing people and just being involved in a number of things is just to reiterate what the [15:24] chief says and you may not realize it but people in your inner circle in your [15:29] neighborhood they they might not know it all a sudden you're going to come home in uniform they're going to see you in the driveway and they're like what's [15:35] going on they're going to hit you up trust me you might not feel it the first day but they're going to treat you different they're going to treat it's a [15:41] respect It's just what the chief said. It's years of everybody before you. And that's not a tagline. I mean, it just I [15:47] was a corrections officer for a year and trust me, I didn't get the respect you get as a firefighter. It It's just they [15:53] treat you different. There's an expectation. You might think it's fair or not, but you know, given trust [15:59] without even knowing who I am as a person or just what I do as a living, I'm okay with being held to a higher [16:05] standard. Make good choices in your life. We all get caught up in things or things we can't take care of and we'll [16:10] get through that. And and this department's got you. I mean, they they take care of you where they can. But but [16:16] be honorable. If you have to think about it too long, it's probably a bad choice. Just live your life just above board. [16:23] People are watching. And it's important, not just for you, but it's important how the opinion and the tone you set for [16:29] other firefighters. You might not even be in the city, but it does change the tone of every fire. I've been involved. [16:34] I've seen it. So, I would just say live a good clean life if you can. If you get tripped up, reach out. But just remember [16:42] it affects everybody and it does stay with you. On the other part, hit those hitting the station. I think there's six [16:47] of you hitting the stations. Um, I would get a routine. I know they started at I mean gear first. Take care of your gear [16:53] because that's going to allow you to take care of yourself and keep your partner safe. Get a routine going. Get to work. Take care of that. And then [16:59] know your rig. Know where the equipment's at. Get that medical stuff down. And as far as a fire right now in your career, listen to your captain and [17:06] and they'll they'll lead you lead you to the right directions and the fires and everything else that comes with it. Um I [17:13] love being a firefighter. My son's a firefighter. Um he just got off this morning. I had to give him a little chat [17:19] because he had 26 runs over in St. Paul and he got off this morning and he starts talking about this this call he [17:25] got and he he went down to it was uh what he he the tone he put on it was it [17:31] was like a junk run and I'm like Max Max I go let me check you right now nothing's a junk run do not judge people [17:39] do not judge if you judge this is going to be a long 30 30 years we don't know what put people in the situation but [17:45] what we do know for sure somebody called on probably one of the worst days of your life with the expectation that [17:50] you're going going to mitigate it and hopefully minimize the condition they're in at or at least get them on to [17:56] resources that are going to help them. So, I had to tune them up a little bit because they went to a run on a guy who [18:02] had the wristband, just got out of Ramsey Hospital 3 hours ago, and now he's back. I said, "It doesn't matter. [18:08] You don't judge. You handle your business. You take care of them and take care of them like they're your family member." That's not a tagline either. If [18:14] you're not there, your wife or your partner or friend or neighbor calls to the house next door, you want them to [18:19] treat them like they would treat you. If you do that, listen to your captain and just live it live an honorable life. [18:26] You're going to do great in this department. And like I said, the department's got you. Um I could go on and on, but I know you guys want to get [18:32] out of here. I would like to publicly say when I when I um said that the department's got you when they can. I [18:38] had a little hiccup and I won't get a motion. Chief took this department's had my back this last six, seven months. [18:44] Little little hiccup I had to deal with. Thank you, Chief. Chief Chief, I appreciate it. It's not for publication. My state say in front of the mayor, the [18:51] commissioner, the council members, Chief Tiner, he had my back. Took care of me. My life would be uh sadly in a whole [18:57] another place um if that went south. So, thank you very much. I appreciate that. And good luck. The EMTers stay in the [19:04] book. Knock it out. You study every day. Don't trip. you'll get through it just [19:10] fine. And good luck everybody. [19:22] Before we go to the recognition of our training staff and partners, I would like to take a moment to recognize the [19:28] people that usually work behind the scenes and don't get the recognition that everyone here on the fire [19:34] department gets, but they're equally as important, not only to make sure you guys graduate, but to make sure the [19:41] daily operations on the fire department are always functioning from a Human [19:46] Resources Department, we have Heather Randy, Molly Raymond, Ryan Libby, and Anthony Brown. You guys want to stand up [19:54] quick? [Applause] [20:02] From our downtown office, we have our health and safety coordinator, Cody Lee, [20:08] and our finance director, Luke Scardigi. [20:15] our deputy chief of administration, Mike Terry. [20:23] Uh our staff captain for our EAP services, Linda Son, [20:31] and then our staff captain of community risk reduction, Tim Pixley. [20:40] and I'm not sure where she is, but Tracy Turbell has been a great help up at the EOTF for this whole process. [20:48] [Applause] I'd also like to take a second to thank [20:54] Dave Primac and Council Member Palmo. We had to quickly pivot. We lost our [20:59] original place we were going to hold the graduation and they did a great job helping us get this facility. So, thank [21:05] you. And with that, I would like to welcome [21:11] up our deputy chief of training, Colin Black. [Applause] [21:21] Good evening. Good afternoon, everyone. I first would like to acknowledge this class. Thank you guys. I told you about it being a family, and I want to welcome [21:28] you to my family. Thank you so much, and I'm proud and honored to wear the same uniform. Thank you. It was an [21:34] outstanding class. Um, I'd like to recognize uh my training staff. Not here today are Deputy Chief Amber Lege and [21:41] Deputy Chief Sean Olsen. They're intricral part of our staff. I'd like to introduce my training staff. Um, Captain [21:47] Adam Graves, Captain. [21:53] That's a little heavy guys. Uh, Captain Akquila Alamid. [22:00] Captain Troyce Fendall. Uh, they help with our day-to-day [22:06] everything at the training tower. Um, and then I'd like to bring our cadet leaders. I'd like to introduce Chevup, [22:16] Paul Olsen, Timothy Becky, [22:23] Jaywan, [Applause] and uh Chad Saloka. [22:30] And with that, I'll turn it back over to uh Captain Van or Chief Van Vicle. Thank you guys. [22:39] [Applause] One more. Staff Captain Steve Pleasants. [22:45] I don't know where you're at right now. All right. At this time, uh, I have [22:52] Chief Tiner and Chief Rucker come up and we will have our firefighter badge [22:58] presentations. [23:16] We'll start with engine company one. Hey VU, introduce your group. [23:22] Good morning everybody. My name is firefighter Chi Vu. I am the SLP leader for engine one. And I call your guys' [23:29] name. Please step in front of the podium. Okay, we have Marty Martin [23:37] Broberg. [Applause] [23:52] Next we have Greta Boogie Bulgren. [Applause] [24:02] If I draw blood, they are EMT, so they can do first aid on this. [24:14] Congratulations. And lastly, we have Nico Murkod. [Applause] [24:36] Penelope B. Hope [Applause] [24:52] Congratulations [25:05] Peter Grant Schaefer. [Applause] [25:20] Congratulations. [25:28] [Applause] And Jacob Paul Costello. [25:35] [Applause] [25:52] [Applause] Morning everyone. My name is Tim Becky. [25:59] I was in charge of engine company 3. Uh first graduate is Rashan Brown. [26:06] [Applause] [26:13] All right. Congratulations, [26:21] [Applause] Sam Dumpford. [26:27] [Applause] [26:35] Congratulations, [26:41] Raleigh Gleason. Congratulations [26:55] and Michael Peterson. [Applause] [27:09] Congratulations. [Applause] [27:23] Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Captain Chad Saloka. I was the SOP leader in charge of engine 4. The [27:30] first name I'm calling is Daniel Upw. [27:37] Congratulations [27:52] Thomas Kylo. [Applause] [28:05] Congratulations [28:12] Goku Cereabal Aguch. [28:19] That was wonderful. [28:36] [Applause] Good morning everyone. My name is firefighter Paul Wilson. I had the [28:43] privilege of leading uh engine company 5. I'll only be saying one name right [28:48] now. The other two will be announced here in a second because I have family members pinning them. But uh I'd like to introduce firefighter Scott Prince. [29:08] Thank you very much. Congratulations. [29:14] Uh you might notice that there was four people that we didn't give badges to. Um we have a tradition here. If you're a legacy, if your parent had works for us [29:21] or had worked for us, we asked them to come up and pin their their child. So today, um, we'll start with, uh, retired [29:28] captain Corey Herman. You can come up. His son, his son, Payton. Payton Herman, [29:36] come on up. [29:52] Been [30:00] a while since he put a badge on. [30:05] [Laughter] [30:13] [Applause] [30:19] Next, I'd like to bring up the stage is Battalion Chief Preston Nolan and his son Ryan Nolan. [30:25] [Applause] [30:38] Congratulations. [30:55] Next, I'd like to bring up Captain Calima Edwards and her son, Ty Cobb. [31:02] [Applause] [31:14] [Laughter] [31:20] Genius. [31:25] He can take it. Just jam it right in the chest. [31:44] I'd like to have you. Yeah, she has a one act play she'd like to do. [31:50] Uh, next and lastly, I'd like to bring up Captain Kurt Meyer and his son EMTT O'Neal Meyer. [31:56] [Applause] [32:04] Thank you. [32:20] [Applause] [32:30] You guys could all stand for a moment. Everyone, the class of 2025. [Applause] [32:59] Uh, I'd like you to stay standing. And we have Chief Assistant City Clerk Kelly [33:05] Geesler coming up to do your oath of office. [33:20] All right. If you would please uh raise your right hand and I will say the oath and you [33:28] will respond in the affirmative by saying I do. Unless you want to change your mind at [33:33] the last minute. You already signed it so don't change your mind. What? [33:38] To each of you, having been appointed as Minneapolis firefighters, [33:43] solemnly swear that you will support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution and laws of the state of [33:49] Minnesota and the charter and ordinances of the city of Minneapolis, and that you will perform and discharge the duties of [33:56] the office for the term to which you've been appointed to the best of your ability. To so affirm this oath, say, "I [34:02] do." I do. Congratulations. Welcome to the city of [34:20] Welcome to the Minneapolis Fire Department family. Uh we have a short video that we're going to watch now. So, [34:27] if everyone can go ahead and be seated. [34:59] I knew that I wanted to do something that [35:11] [Applause] [35:17] Try before you cry. [35:42] [Applause] [36:16] I knew that I wanted to do something that I felt was beneficial to people around me in my community. Firefighting [36:23] was the place for me and the career I wanted to pursue. My mom is uh Captain [36:28] Edwards. Pretty sure it was a picture of me as an infant at her graduation [36:33] ceremony. My dad works here and my uncle. Ever since like high school, he [36:39] said it's the best job in the world. The more I got to know the department [36:44] and the people that do it, the more I started to realize that this is something that I want for myself. [36:49] I just love the city. It's a diverse city. is a great community. It comes down to initially seeing them [36:55] at the Mihawk Academy explosion, seeing Minneapolis fire pull up, seeing them move with confidence and and calmness. [37:01] I grew up in Minneapolis and I knew that this is where I wanted to be. So, it just made sense to work for this city. [37:11] You're being challenged in a lot of different ways at the same time. mentally, physically, academically, [37:17] waking up early, being in class, working out a lot, and then going home and studying. We had some classes here that we would [37:23] do in a week or a week and a half, where at my college it would be a semester long class. Long hot days a full year, [37:33] how to keep moving when things get scary, and how to calm yourself down. [37:38] Work hard. You know, be on the heat even when you're tired and sore. through a lot of techniques that I wasn't even [37:44] taught in school. Moving all those techniques, finally be able to apply all the skills that I've been learning for the past [37:50] four years of my life and being able to actually utilize it to help people. Teamwork is one of the biggest things. [37:56] They're on the job as well. You have to be able to work through things. Well, they are the future of the [38:02] Minneapolis Fire Department. They are starting on a journey to a beautiful career and uh being part of a wonderful [38:09] family that is the Minneapolis Fire Department. and I look forward to working with each and every one. [38:16] [Applause] [38:29] All right. [38:36] Uh, no one should ever set off in such a great endeavor as this without the blessings of God. So, if you will bow my [38:43] head, I will if bow your heads, excuse me, I will read the firefighters prayer. [38:51] When I am called to duty, God, whenever flames may rage, give me the strength to [38:57] save some life, whatever be their age. Help me embrace a little child before it [39:03] is too late. To save an older person from the horror of that fate. Enable me [39:10] to be alert and hear the weakest shout and quickly and efficiently to put the [39:16] fire out. I want to fill my calling and give the best in me to guard my every [39:23] neighbor and protect their property. And if I am to lose my life according to my [39:29] fate, please bless with your protecting hand my children and my mate. Amen. [39:39] Uh now I'd like to call on the uh honor guard to retrieve the colors. [39:56] Please stand. [40:22] presents. Order. [40:45] [Music] Heat. Heat. [40:50] [Music] [41:49] All right. So, this is a celebration. So, we do have cake and refreshments waiting for you. But before we do that, [41:55] I'd like to get all the cadets out front and uh for a photo opportunity and uh let all your family get photos and [42:01] everything and then we'll head outside. [Applause]