22 new firefighters ready to hit the streets after graduating in downtown Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Louisville Fire Department added 22 new firefighters to its ranks Thursday during a graduation ceremony at Fourth Street Live!

A large crowd gathered downtown as bagpipes played and applause rang out while the recruits officially took the oath of service. Mayor Craig Greenberg and Louisville Fire Chief Brian O'Neill both addressed the graduates, calling their service critical to the city's safety.

Deputy Mayor David James said the new firefighters will make an immediate impact.

"Twenty-two firefighters on the street makes a huge difference for our fire department," James said. "It allows our fire department to be safer and be closer to being fully staffed."

James said Louisville is actually better staffed now than in previous years, thanks to consistent hiring and support from Metro Council. But the city isn't stopping here.

"We're trying to recruit and train more firefighters every day," James said. "We have a new class starting at the beginning of the year so we encourage everybody that's interested to come out and apply."

The new graduates spent months in training, learning to handle everything from house fires to hazardous material emergencies. They are scheduled to begin their first shifts across the city Sunday.

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