Gainesville Fire Rescue to host second annual GFR Signing Day, events
Press release from City of Gainesville
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gainesville Fire Rescue (GFR) will welcome a new class of first responder candidates at the 2023 Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Signing Day ceremony. The event will be preceded by Family Fun Day activities and followed by the summer’s final Teen Midnight Basketball program.
Family Fun Day
When: 6-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4
Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center, 1028 N.E. 14th St.
2023 Fire/EMS Signing Day
When: 8-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4
Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center, 1028 N.E. 14th St.
Teen Midnight Basketball
When: 9 p.m.-midnight Friday, Aug. 4
Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center, 1028 N.E. 14th St.
This year’s class of future public safety employees includes 13 candidates, several of whom already have earned a firefighter certification. Each will accept a conditional letter of employment from the City of Gainesville, which will sponsor their training at Florida State Fire College in Ocala.
Future employment is contingent upon each candidate successfully completing Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training. For those not yet certified as firefighters, certification is required. Certified candidates then will complete a 7-week orientation at GFR to demonstrate proficiency before joining fellow firefighters in response to emergency calls.
“We hired eight first responders from our inaugural signing day and are excited to build on that success,” said GFR Fire Chief Joseph Dixon. “We continue to invest in the future of the City’s emergency response efforts and hope neighbors will join in and celebrate with us.”
The candidates were originally selected by GFR based on National Testing Network scores, performance testing, and individual interviews.
Following the ceremony, several of the candidates will assist at the midnight basketball tournament for area middle and high school students.
The events are free and open to the public.