Pinned with pride: Captain Nick Faes’ wife and daughters help to pin him with the collar brass earned for his promotion.[/caption]

On Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 6 p.m. firefighters came dressed in their uniforms, and friends and family came with their cameras to the Nederland Fire Department (NFD) for the ceremonial badging of the department’s Recruits, Probationary Firefighters, Firefighters, and Captains. The ten members of the Nederland Fire Protection District were promoted for their service in completing intense training courses leading them to become more knowledgeable, specialized, and effective in their service to the community.

Nederland Fire Chief Charlie Schmidtmann welcomed attendees to the ceremony and described to the crowd the meaning of the oath the firefighters were about to take.

“Being a firefighter and serving your community is one of the most civic-minded undertakings that can be done,” Chief Schmidtmann said. “Tonight we acknowledge the dedication and all the hard work that our firefighters have accomplished.”

“As firefighters we are sworn to uphold the public trust; this practice has been ingrained in our history. We endeavor every day to make our profession safer through training and procedures. We know the key to positive outcomes is predicated on a balance of training, knowledge, and experience.”

Firefighters honored for their service: Bobby Swanson’s son excitedly pins his father with his brass “trumpet.” [/caption]

Lieutenant Ken Kehoe detailed the significance of pinning the “collar brass,” explaining how the brass resembles trumpets, which represent the chain of command.

“Communication is essential between firefighters during a major incident. Not only does everyone on scene need their initial instructions but they also need to be able to talk to each other during emergencies,” Kehoe explained.

“It’s hard to imagine a time before radio communications. Previously, those in command had no choice but to shout instructions to firefighters before and during operations through a speaking trumpet.”

As the trumpets were tools used for commanding officers only, they now signify rank, so as firefighters are promoted further through the ranks they earn more brass to wear.

Recruit Prasun Rovtar receives his brass from his father as he’s promoted to Probationary Firefighter. (photo courtesy of NFPD)[/caption]

Fire Marshal Andrew Joslin spoke about the history and meaning behind the use of badges in fire departments, going back to the Crusades, when knights wore identifying symbols and crests on their shields, including the Maltese Cross, which signified loyalty and service to those injured in combat.

“The Order of the Knights of Malta quickly became associated with those who went out of their way to engage in courageous acts and to save people who were in danger,” Joslin said.

“There is a trail of heritage that goes from these early humanitarians up to and including the contemporary fire service.” Joslin continued to describe how the symbolism of shields were adapted into a badge.

“Most badges have a continuous circle of some kind on the edge that looks like a rope or a chain; it is unbroken. The purpose behind this was symbolically to illustrate dedication and commitment to duty.

“Nederland Fire’s badge has an Eagle, a sign of strength, courage, wisdom, vision, and loyalty.”

Fire Chief Charlie Schmidtmann helps to fasten Swanson’s brass.[/caption]

Schmidtmann then asked all five Recruits to repeat the oath, before calling each member to stand in front of the crowd to receive their promotion to Probationary Firefighter, and for the pinning of their collar brass.

Schmidtmann described the steps involved for Recruits to be promoted. Recruits first are interviewed in front of a large panel and then participate in the Boulder County Firefighters ten-week Association Fire Academy. They must then pass a test covering “mapping, vehicle knowledge, tool knowledge, fire terminology, radios, fire station information, and protocols involving different call types.”

Once completing their First Aid and CPR courses, Recruits receive their Rookie Book and receive their collar brass to signify their promotion to Probationary Firefighters.

Steve Cepek, along with Chris Lynch and Max Schmidtmann, graduated on April 15 from Academy and earned their Firefighter I certification. Cepek has also passed the written exam for the Hazardous Materials Awareness (HMA) course through the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, and has enrolled in the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) course; he received his pins from his wife, Firefighter Tara Sergo.

Loved ones participate in the ceremony: (photo courtesy of NFPD) Staci McNeal receives her promotion and her collar brass from Chief Schmidtmann and Fire Marshal Andrew Joslin. [/caption]

Elektra Greer received her collar brass from Chief Schmidtmann for her participation in the EMR course. Staci McNeal is also enrolled in the EMR course and has passed the written exam for the HMA course. She received her pins from Schmidtmann and Joslin.

Recruit Prasun Rovtar’s father pinned the brass to his son’s collar to celebrate his accomplishments.

In addition to earning his Firefighter I certification, Max Schmidtmann has passed the written exam for the HMA course and has enrolled in the EMR course.

Each of the five Probationary Firefighters started as recruits on September 10, 2023.

Next, three NFD Probationary Firefighters recited the oath and received their collar brass as well as badges as they were promoted to Firefighters.

The Probationary Firefighter spends a year working on the tasks and skills in their Rookie Book and is required to earn the Wildland Red Card certification, which takes 60 hours to complete, including field days. They are also expected to earn their Structural Fire, Firefighter I, Hazmat Operations and Awareness certifications, and to choose between EMR or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training courses.

Probationary Firefighters are also required to participate in a minimum of 75 calls in order to complete their probationary period.

Chris Lynch has, since starting as a recruit in September 2022, been certified as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), earned his Wildland Red Card, and has passed the written exam for the HMA course. Lynch’s mother did his pinning.

Tara Sergo received her collar brass from her husband, Steve Cepek. Since starting as a recruit in September 2022, Sergo has become certified as an EMR, has a Wildland Red Card, and has passed the written exam for the HMA course.

Firefighter Chris Lynch’s mother tried not to cry as she pinned him with his collar brass.[/caption]

Firefighter Bobby Swanson graduated on April 15 from the Spring Academy and earned his Firefighter II certification. Swanson is certified as an EMT, has a current Wildland Red Card, and has passed the written exam for the HMA course. Swanson was pinned by his wife and son.

Two of the NFD’s Firefighters delivered their oath and received their badges as they were promoted to Captain. Captains are required to be certified paramedics with at least five years of experience. Paramedic courses are a full-time commitment for six months, plus requiring at least 500 hours of service in an ambulance. They are required to earn their Firefighter II certification and to complete the Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Life Support courses for certification.

Captain Nick Faes started with the Nederland Fire Protection District in November of 2023, having served previously as a part-time paramedic, and as a member of Arvada Fire. Faes was pinned by his wife and children.

Captain Glen Wheelock’s son helped to pin the collar brass and badge for his father’s accomplishments. Wheelock came to the NFD from North Metro Fire with a background in fire protection and having worked as a Fire Inspector.

Before the proud firefighters could pose with their loved ones for photos and make their way around the room to congratulate one another, Public Information Officer Eric Abramson read the Firefighter Creed.