Ozark County volunteer firefighters among graduates of intensive firefighting academy hosted by Squires VFD


Eighteen firefighters from six volunteer fire departments in three counties graduated July 24 from extensive Firefighter I and II training hosted by Squires VFD. Front row, from left: Squires VFD chief Travis Veldkamp, State Fire Marshal Tim Bean, State Sen. Karla Eslinger, firefighter Joseph Bommarito with Eastern Douglas VFD (front), instructor Damian Seltzer (back) and instructor Roy Crouch with EDVFD, firefighter Josh Sherman with Tecumseh VFD and instructor Shawn Myers with Battlefield Fire Department. Standing, from left: firefighter Hayden Browning with Squires VFD, firefighter Joe Vronis with Cedar Creek VFD, firefighter Aleshia Garrison and baby Charlie with Squires VFD, firefighter Will Garrison with SVFD, Twin Bridges VFD chief Brian Davidson, Pontiac / Price Place chief Khristie Sansone Jacquin, firefighter C.J. Sicilia with SVFD (back), firefighter Drake Garrison with SVFD (partially hidden behind Eslinger), firefighter Blake Cain with SVFD, firefighter (and treasurer) Michael Schiff with SVFD, firefighter Michael Andrews with SVFD, SVFD firefighter and board chairman William Browning, firefighter Isabella Krutsch with EDVFD (back), firefighter Falecia Watson with SVFD, Battlefield Fire Department chief Scott Moore, lead instructor Shane Anderson, and firefighter and instructor Adam Hammett with EDVFD.

Two Ozark Countians were among the 18 firefighters from six area fire departments in three counties who graduated July 24 from a six-month training academy that prepares them to become certified firefighters after they pass the state skills evaluation later this month  and the written exam in September. 

Pontiac / Price Place Volunteer Fire Department chief Khristie Sansone Jacquin and Tecumseh VFD firefighter Josh Sherman were honored with special awards during the graduation ceremony, which was held at the Squires VFD. Jacquin was presented with the “Spirit of Firefighting” award, and Sherman was recognized for “top skills performance.”

The training at Squires included online sessions plus hands-on classes every Tuesday and Thursday night from February through July and “lots and lots of Saturdays,” Jacquin told the Times. The academy required 300 hours of training. For Jacquin, who lives in Pontiac, it meant putting 3,300 miles on her personal vehicle as she drove to the classes in Squires and sometimes as far away as the Eastern Douglas VFD. But she’s quick to say, “It was worth every mile to help serve my community and county.”

Squires VFD hosted the training Firefighter I and II academy with funding from a grant that brought together fire personnel from Squires, Twin Bridges and Eastern Douglas VFDs in Douglas County, and Cedar Creek VFD in Taney County as well as Tecumseh and Pontiac / Price Place in Ozark County. Ava Rural and Goodhope VFDs served as backup for Squires while it was hosting the training sessions – and also while it hosted the graduation ceremony. 

Squires VFD chief Travis Veldkamp led the effort to organize the academy, and instructors came from some of the participating departments as well as from Battlefield Fire Department near Springfield. 

The July 24 graduation ceremony included remarks by lead instructor Shane Anderson, State Sen. Karla Eslinger of Wasola and Missouri State Fire Marshal Tim Bean. Springfield Fire Department Chief Scott Moore was the keynote speaker.  

The firefighters were led into the ceremony setting by a bagpiper.

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423