The Columbus Fire Department (CFD) invited seven Firefighters to the department on Tuesday morning. The firefighters were sworn in by Mayor Mary Ferdon during Tuesday’s Board of Public Works and Safety meeting at City Hall. The firefighters will fill a portion of current vacancies that followed recent retirements and resignations.
Firefighter Brandon Farr, 25 is a 2017 graduate of South Decatur High School. Firefighter Farr was part of the Letts Volunteer Fire Department cadet program from 2016 to 2017. Firefighter Farr has obtained Firefighter I and Firefighter II certifications, Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations Certifications, Technical Rescue Awareness and Numerous National Incident Management System (NIMS) Certifications.
Firefighter Trae Haley, 21, is a 2021 graduate of Columbus North High School and attended courses at Franklin College. Firefighter Haley has over two years of firefighting experience with the German Township Volunteer Fire Department and one year of experience with the Harrison Township Fire Department. In additional to being a nationally registered Emergency Medical Technician, Haley has both a Firefighter I and Firefighter II certification.
Firefighter Tristian Hanna, 25, is a 2017 graduate of North Decatur High School. Firefighter Hanna is a member of the Indiana Army National Guard since 2015 where he is a firefighter. Hanna has served in both volunteer and career fire departments organizations in Southern Indiana. Agencies include the Metamora Volunteer Fire Department, Versailles Volunteer Fire Department, Georgetown Township Fire Protection District and the New Washington Fire & Ems Department. Hanna is a certified emergency medical technician and also hold Firefighter I and Firefighter II certifications. Hanna is also certified in Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations as well as Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF).
Firefighter George Hilderbrand III, 31, is a 2011 graduate of the Jacksonville (FL) Christian Academy. Firefighter Hilderbrand has served in both volunteer and career firefighter capacity with several agencies. Hilderbrand served as a Clay Township Fire and Rescue Volunteer for two years, Macclenney Fire and Rescue for four years, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue for four years and Harrison Township (IN) Fire Department for one year. Firefighter Hilderbrand is an Emergency Medical Technician and certified as a Hazardous Materials Technician, Confined Space Rescue Technician and Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF).Hilderbrand is also Firefighter I and Firefighter II certified.
Firefighter Wesley Thayer, 35, is a 2006 graduate of Jennings County High School and hold an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Harrison College. Prior to his appointment with the Columbus Fire Department, Thayer served eleven years as a law enforcement officer with the North Vernon Police Department and the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department where he served in several roles including Patrol Officer, Detective and School Resource Officer. Firefighter Thayer has also served two years with the Geneva Township Fire Department in Jennings County. Thayer hold a Firefighter I and Firefighter II certification, CPR certification and has obtained numerous National Incident Management System (NIMS) certifications.
Firefighter Dalton Thompson, 31, is a 2011 graduate of Columbus East High School. Thompson has served as a career firefighter with Columbus Township Fire and Rescue for one year. In addition to Firefighter I and Firefighter II certifications, Thompson’s certifications include Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations, Technical Rescue Awareness and Rope Rescue Technician.
Firefighter Cameron Ziegler, 23, is a 2019 graduate of Columbus North High School. Firefighter Ziegler’s training includes certifications in Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations.
All firefighters will undergo a department orientation and training program. Firefighters not previously certified will obtain a Basic Emergency Medical Technician certification, Firefighter I & II certification and Hazardous Materials Operations and Awareness certification. At the completion of all training requirements, each firefighter will receive a station and shift assignments.
