A dozen full-time Bargersville Community firefighters have completed an intense 7-week training and orientation course and are ready to report for duty.
 
The firefighters bring a guaranteed response of two fully-staffed fire trucks answering calls -- critical to delivering emergency medical and fire services.
 
Volunteer firefighters remain the core of the department, as they have for more than 50 years, Fire Chief James White said. A decline in volunteer participation made it necessary to hire the full-time firefighters.
 
The day of volunteers responding from home and work is nearly nonexistent in the fire protection district, which has grown dramatically the past decade. In fact, the property value within the 64 square-mile district is approaching $1 billion.
"That’s a huge responsibility," White said.
 
Additionally, the fire department has a corps of paramedics delivering emergency medical services. White and all three battalion chiefs are paramedics, too.
 
The 12 full-time employees were hired with state fire fighting certifications as well as being emergency medical technicians. One classmate also is a paramedic.
 
The dozen firefighters will be equally divided across three 24-hour shifts and work and learn intricate and unique details about the district side-by-side with volunteer firefighters.
 
The class graduated Sunday during ceremonies at Center Grove High School. Approximately 200 people attended.
 
Keynote speaker was Roger Johnson, representing Gov. Mitch Daniels. Johnson is a former State Fire Marshal and president of the Indiana Firefighters Association.
 
Graduates include:
 
Firefighter/EMT Jeremy Abraham
Firefighter/EMT Shane Bauerle
Firefighter/EMT Kyle Blue
Firefighter/Medic Cynthia Bortz
Firefighter/EMT Jeff Brown
Firefighter/EMT Karl Crist
Firefighter/EMT James Hunt
Firefighter/EMT Zachary Morris
Firefighter/EMT Matthew Perkins
Firefighter/EMT Christopher Phillips
Firefighter/EMT Michael Ridge
Firefighter/EMT Justin Walls