Fishers City celebrates Recruit Academy Class 40 as eight new probationary firefighters take the oath

Fishers City held a graduation ceremony for Recruit Academy Class 40 that culminated in badge pinning, awards and an oath of office for eight probationary firefighters.

Deputy Chief Hugo Wans told the graduates the badge they were about to receive “represents service,” urged humility and lifelong learning, and reminded them that "the standard is the standard," praising the recruits’ endurance through demanding physical and mental training. Mayor Scott Fadness congratulated the class and told them they join a department supported by senior firefighters and a municipal workforce the mayor described as “nearly 700 employees” serving a community of about 110,000 people.

The program opened with the Indianapolis Public Safety Pipes and Drums and the Fishers Honor Guard presenting the colors and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by an invocation and benediction led by public safety chaplain Rusty Kennedy. Ashley Heckley served as master of ceremonies and introduced department leaders and the night’s schedule.

Officials called each recruit forward for a badge pinning ceremony. The recruits named in the ceremony were Anthony Carr, Dalton Flannry, Zachary Hart, Caleb Noiki, Kain Orm, Luke Scales, Jason Scott and Luke Vandervine; family members were invited to place pins. Mayor Fadness administered the oath of office; recruits repeated a pledge to support the Constitution, state law and the City of Fishers and to faithfully discharge their duties.

Awards recognized individual achievement: Lieutenant Michael Schro presented the EMS award to Luke Vandervine for outstanding performance in the EMS curriculum. Recruit Academy director Kyle Stewart presented a fire award to Kain (last name not specified in the ceremony) and named Caleb Noiki the valedictorian for the highest combined academic and practical-skill scores across EMS, fire and special-operations training.

Class president Jason Scott spoke for the graduates, thanked mentors and family, and reflected on the 26-week academy—eight weeks of EMS training and 18 weeks of fire training—saying the class motto was “success is earned.” He urged classmates to continue training and support one another as they begin probationary service.

The ceremony closed with instructions for group photographs, signing the oath of office and an invitation for family and guests to congratulate the new probationary firefighters.