COCHRANVILLE FIRE COMPANY
2007 Fall Fire Fighter 1 Graduation
By: Lena Stoltzfus and Kendra Yost
December 5th, 2007
The Cochranville Fire Company is proud to announce that five members (Geoff Burkhart,
Todd Burkhart, Dean Hoopes Jr, Eric Kiser and Lena Stoltzfus) have completed and
passed Fire Fighter I.
The Chester County Fire Training School conducted their graduation on Wednesday,
December 5th, 2007 at the Fame Fire Company (Station 53.)
The night began with opening remarks from Training Coordinator John Weer and DES
Director Ed Atkins. Following the remarks, Instructor DeMarco introduced the class
response speaker. The graduate chosen for this honor is chosen by secret ballot by their
fellow graduates. The class response for the Fall 2007 class was Firefighter Michelle
Smith from Union Fire Company #1, Oxford, PA. Firefighter Smith shared memories from
the class and congratulated all on their accomplishment.
Deputy Director of Emergency Services for Fire Services, George “Beau” Crowding
presented the Class Cadet Award. This award is also chosen by secret ballot by the
graduating class. There was a tie for the honor. The recipients were Geoffrey Burkhart
(Cochranville Fire Company,) and Alex Cachecho (Concordville Fire Company, Delaware
County.)
After a few comments by Lead Instructor DeMarco, the graduates were presented their
certificates. The graduates were able to choose who presented their certificates to them.
Fire department officers, family members, and spouses were chosen for this honor. In
many cases, the family members were also members of the fire department, as is often the
tradition of the fire service. Those presenting the certificates truly considered it an
honor to be part of the ceremony. Director Atkins, Deputy Director Crowding, Training
Coordinator Weer, and Instructor DeMarco assisted with the presentation of the
certificates.
The graduates were then led in the Firefighter Oath by Instructor DeMarco followed by his
closing comments. After a DVD presentation created for the class that included pictures
and video that was taken during the class, the evening ended with refreshments and
social time for the graduates, family, and members in attendance. A special thanks goes
out to the county fire training group and DES from an excellent graduation.
Thank you to Adam Grossman, Connie Stoltzfus and Kendra Yost for the pictures.
By: Lena Stoltzfus and Kendra Yost
December 5th, 2007
The Cochranville Fire Company is proud to announce that five members (Geoff Burkhart,
Todd Burkhart, Dean Hoopes Jr, Eric Kiser and Lena Stoltzfus) have completed and
passed Fire Fighter I.
The Chester County Fire Training School conducted their graduation on Wednesday,
December 5th, 2007 at the Fame Fire Company (Station 53.)
The night began with opening remarks from Training Coordinator John Weer and DES
Director Ed Atkins. Following the remarks, Instructor DeMarco introduced the class
response speaker. The graduate chosen for this honor is chosen by secret ballot by their
fellow graduates. The class response for the Fall 2007 class was Firefighter Michelle
Smith from Union Fire Company #1, Oxford, PA. Firefighter Smith shared memories from
the class and congratulated all on their accomplishment.
Deputy Director of Emergency Services for Fire Services, George “Beau” Crowding
presented the Class Cadet Award. This award is also chosen by secret ballot by the
graduating class. There was a tie for the honor. The recipients were Geoffrey Burkhart
(Cochranville Fire Company,) and Alex Cachecho (Concordville Fire Company, Delaware
County.)
After a few comments by Lead Instructor DeMarco, the graduates were presented their
certificates. The graduates were able to choose who presented their certificates to them.
Fire department officers, family members, and spouses were chosen for this honor. In
many cases, the family members were also members of the fire department, as is often the
tradition of the fire service. Those presenting the certificates truly considered it an
honor to be part of the ceremony. Director Atkins, Deputy Director Crowding, Training
Coordinator Weer, and Instructor DeMarco assisted with the presentation of the
certificates.
The graduates were then led in the Firefighter Oath by Instructor DeMarco followed by his
closing comments. After a DVD presentation created for the class that included pictures
and video that was taken during the class, the evening ended with refreshments and
social time for the graduates, family, and members in attendance. A special thanks goes
out to the county fire training group and DES from an excellent graduation.
Thank you to Adam Grossman, Connie Stoltzfus and Kendra Yost for the pictures.
