HOLLYWOOD — Firefighters, some brand new and others 20-years in, were honored at the Hollywood Fire Department badge ceremony alongside other special recognitions on Nov. 19 at fire station 108.

The ceremony included giving badges to new hires, recognizing people who have served for 20 years and special recognition and promotions.

“Today is important because … it’s acknowledging the men women who put through a lot of time to get through into the fire service,” fire chief Michael Mackey said. “They’ve gone through the fire academy, EMT and paramedic. We also have inspectors who have gone through extensive training to become inspectors. We also have wildland [firefighters].”

Mackey said it was a unique time to honor those just entering into the service and those who have served for 20 years.

“All these people who are being badged today, they’re joining the fire service at different parts. Some are firefighter paramedics, some are wildland, and some are doing the fire inspection,” Mackey said. “All those come in under the umbrella of Fire Rescue … So, it’s really an occasion to celebrate their success and all the hard work that they put into it. It’s something that’s commendable. It’s very difficult to get through and to do.”

The process to becoming a firefighter is a commitment of time and effort, Mackey said.

“It’s a combination of physically challenging, and also there’s some emotional challenges, and mentally, just going through the whole process,” Mackey said. “When you start [and say,] ‘I want to be a firefighter,’ that process to where you get to where these folks are, is a minimum of three years. And all the way through it, it’s testing you. If you don’t pass the test, you’re out of the program. So, it’s very challenging.”

Graduating classes 24-01 and 24-02 included Jordan Chenique, Nicolas Lavrigata, Kassandra Loriga and Oscar Moreau. The new hires presented with badges were fire inspector Natalia Whiteshield and wildland firefighter Garret Henderson. Promotions included community service aide to fire inspector Gamal Stewart, dispatcher to fire inspector Blanca Guereca and firefighter to lieutenant Joshwa Huff.

The 20-year member recognitions were presented to battalion commander Stephen Zitnick, battalion commander Noah Connell, lieutenant Drew Layne, division chief Jorge Valdes, medical director Dr. Wayne Lee and deputy chief Jonathan Hedrick.

Chief recognition and outstanding contribution were presented to James Kelley, Francisco Rodriguez, Machir Marsh, Trina Hipp, Mikiyela Cypress, Nathanael Cournoyer, Dane Martin and Garret Henderson. The honor guard is Nicolas Garcia, Anthony Berger, Kevin Pinkerton, Donnie Murray, Michael Dolnick and Michael Setticase.