By John B. Molenda, Assistant Fire Chief
On September 20, 2010, after hundreds of outstanding candidates were considered for employment at Fort Lauderdale (FL) Fire-Rescue (FLFR), four new recruits were hired and began their training at Broward Fire Academy.
Justin Cabrera, Keith Costa, Edward LeMay and Justin Medlin completed the four-week, fast-paced and intense training in Fort Lauderdale Fire Department protocols for firefighting techniques and emergency medical procedures. FLFR’s Captain Matt Adams and Training Officer John Heiser of the FLFR Training Division conducted the training.
On Friday, October 15, 2010, a Badge Ceremony was held in honor of these four recruits who were proudly and officially pinned by their fathers, Emergency Manager Joseph Cabrera, a 28-year veteran of Miramar Fire Department, Lieutenant Albert Le May, a 23 year veteran of FLFR, Captain William K. Medlin, a 22-year veteran of FLFR, and retired Lieutenant Tom Costa, who served Fort Lauderdale Fire Department for 22 years.
From left to right: Captain Matt Adams, FF Ed Le May, FF Keith Costa, FF Justin Medlin, FF Justin Cabrera, Training Officer John Heiser.
Fire Chief Jeffrey Justinak presided over the ceremony, which took place in the Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue’s Fire Station No. 2 Administration building. “It was a heartfelt, emotional ceremony and a very proud moment for these dads and for me to personally welcome these four young men into one of the most exciting, often times dangerous but personally satisfying careers. Family support is imperative, and the fire fighting family is one of the greatest in the world” said Fire Chief Justinak.
