New Hanover County welcomes new firefighters

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — It’s been a long journey for 21 men and women.

Firefighter recruits graduated from a demanding 27-week training academy in the county. The group’s made up of men and women trained in basic firefighting, emergency medical care and rescue. The class also received training in rapid intervention and surface water rescue. The new firefighters say it’s been a tough 27 weeks.

“Intense is probably the best way to describe it,” said Scott White, who is now a New Hanover Co. firefighter. “It’s been a hot summer like I said. It’s been a long summer. A lot of homework, a lot of classwork and I think we’ve taken about 58 tests leading up to Monday to get all of our certifications. It’s been long but intense is probably the best way to describe it.”

The new firefighters will be stationed throughout the county to reduce response times and to better serve the public.