New Market VFD Welcome Graduates

L/R – Brad Gass, Lt., Adam Pittman, Chief Solomon, Gary Austin, Brandon Haynes, Brian Giles, Marcus Solomon, Jacob O’Quinn (front), Bobby Leatherwood, Jacob Thompson, Ian Slagle, Brad White, Travis Solomon, Capt., Timmy Brooks, Lt., Maurice Solomon, Asst. Chief., David Pittman, Lt.
-Staff Photo by Kim Myers

New market Volunteer Fire Department welcomed 9 new graduates of the Fire Academy in a ceremony held at the New market Fire Hall on Monday night.  This group of graduates was the first to attend Fire Academy classes taught locally instead of in Nashville.  Fire Chief Frank Solomon says each graduate has over 240 hours of required classroom and equipment training, as well as live burn exercises made possible by the Knox County Fire Department.  This local training results in a savings of over $250 per graduate, which is especially important to the budget of this volunteer department.  New Market has one of the largest volunteer forces in the country with 48 volunteer fire fighters.

State Representative Andrew Farmer was also on hand to present Chief Solomon with a declaration thanking him for his nearly 40 years of service with the New market Volunteer Fire Department.  Chief Solomon has been with the department since its’ formation in 1975.

L/R – Chief Solomon, District 17 Tennessee State Representative Andrew Farmer, Asst. Chief Maurice Solomon.
-Staff Photo by Kim Myers