New Firefighters Honored at Graduation Ceremony in Castro Valley

Bay City News Service—Twenty-four new firefighters in Alameda County graduated from training Wednesday in a ceremony at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts.

The firefighters completed the Alameda County Fire Department's 16-week training academy.

Recruits attending the XAL Academy trained in various aspects of fire and emergency protocol including medical services, hazardous materials, fire prevention, helicopter operations and water rescue, fire officials said.

The trainees battled live fires at training centers and got hands-on experience dealing with gas and oil burns as well as wildfires, according to Alameda County fire officials.

Four of Wednesday's graduates are transplants from nearby fire departments that experienced layoffs.

Graduation day began with a family event, during which the recruits demonstrated some of the skills they've learned before receiving
station assignments and helmet insignias.

Recruits received department badges, and performance and leadership awards were presented at the graduation ceremony.

The Family Day event took place at the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department Training Tower in Pleasanton.