Fresno Fire Department Swearing-In Ceremony
12/02/2005
WHAT: SWEARING-IN CEREMONY FOR EIGHTEEN (18) NEW FIREFIGHTERS
WHEN: FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2006 TIME: 9:30 A.M.
WHERE: 2600 FRESNO STREET, FRESNO CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, SECOND FLOOR
Fire Chief Randy R. Bruegman announces the appointment of 18 new firefighters to the Fresno Fire Department. The firefighters will be sworn in Friday, January 27, 2006, at 9:30 a.m., in the Fresno City Hall Council Chambers. The 18 firefighters successfully completed the Fire Department’s intensive 16-week drill school. Following is a brief background of each new firefighter.
Firefighter Dennis L. Barnhart – Firefighter Barnhart grew up in upstate New York and moved to Fresno in the Spring of 2005. He graduated from Wellsville High School in 1993. He was in the military and currently serves as an Air Guard reserve. He has worked in the airline industry, as well as in the construction and carpentry trades. His hobbies include rock climbing, carpentry/construction, family, community involvement, cooking, and reading. Firefighter Barnhart looks forward to the opportunity of being a part of the Fresno Fire Department.
Firefighter Mark A. Bindenagel – Firefighter Bindenagel graduated from Esperanza High School in Anaheim in 1987 and later attended California State University – Fullerton. He has worked for the Madera Police Department, Fresno Police Department, and Fresno Airport Public Safety. His hobbies include assisting with kids’ sports teams and helping with a family-owned business. Firefighter Bindenagel is excited to be here and is fulfilling his goal of becoming a firefighter. He looks forward to working with members of the department.
Firefighter Michael S. Cross – Firefighter Cross grew up in Bakersfield and graduated from Lemoore High School in 1989. Prior to joining the Fresno Fire Department, he worked for over eight years as an airport public safety police officer. He also spent eight years in the U. S. Army Reserves assigned to a combat support hospital. In his free time Firefighter Cross enjoys traveling with his family, scuba diving, and participating in church activities. He is excited about his new career, and he couldn’t be happier about the opportunity to work for the Fresno Fire Department.
Firefighter Kenneth A. Garcia – Firefighter Garcia was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley and is a 2000 graduate of Saint Francis High School in Sylmar. He spent the last two years serving as a member of two type 1 hand crews. His hobbies include fishing and playing sports. Firefighter Garcia is grateful for the opportunity to become a member of the Fresno Fire Department and looks forward to contributing to the department.
Firefighter Michael C. Gilbert – Firefighter Gilbert grew up in San Jose and after graduation from St. Francis High School in 2000 moved to Fresno to attend Fresno State. While at Fresno State, he was on the wrestling team, played rugby, and graduated with a B.S. in exercise science in 2005. He enjoys working out, playing golf, and going to the movies. Firefighter Gilbert is very excited to be given the opportunity to become part of the Fresno Fire Department.
Firefighter Darian T. Jackson – Firefighter Jackson was raised in Oklahoma until his early teens and then moved to California, where he graduated from Beyer High School in Modesto in 1990. He then attended California Christian College. He wanted to be a police officer and thought working for the Fresno Airport would be fun since he would be able to be an officer and perform some fire activities. After participating in a live burn, he knew he wanted to be a firefighter over. He believes being a firefighter is the greatest profession in the world. In his spare time, he enjoys golfing, fruit farming, video editing, and working on the computer. Firefighter Jackson is glad to be a part of the great Fresno Fire Department.
Firefighter Koby T. Johns – Firefighter Johns was born and raised in Fresno. He graduated from Fresno Christian High School in 1993 and received a B.A. in Social Science from Fresno Pacific University in 1997. He also earned a Master of Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary in 2005. For the past eight years he worked as a pastor in Fresno and Pasadena and was a volunteer EMT for the Pasadena Fire Department. He made a career change because he loves working with people, wants to help more in a tangible way, and wants a career that is more physically challenging. His hobbies include mountain climbing, skiing, and woodworking. Firefighter Johns is thrilled to be back in Fresno and be part of the Fresno Fire Department family.
Firefighter Agapito C. Martinez – Firefighter Martinez was born and raised in Reedley, where he graduated from Reedley High School in 2000. He spent the last four years serving on active duty as a security forces member in the U.S. Air Force. His hobbies include backpacking, fishing, and any outdoor activities. Firefighter Martinez considers himself very blessed to be part of an organization as great as the Fresno Fire Department.
Firefighter Charles S. McGary – Firefighter McGary grew up in Selma and is a 1996 graduate of Immanuel High School. He was previously employed by the City of Kingsburg as a firefighter and paramedic. In his spare time he enjoys football, NASCAR, and doing yard work. Firefighter McGary is looking forward to successfully serving the Fresno Fire Department and the City of Fresno.
Firefighter Christopher S. Mendoza – Firefighter Mendoza was born and raised in the Fresno area and graduated from Clovis High School in 1988. He then joined the California Air National Guard as a fire protection specialist and graduated from the Air Force Fire Rescue School. He has an A.S. degree in fire science and a B.A. degree with a major in accounting and a minor in business administration. He previously worked for the City of Fresno as an airport public safety officer and later became a field training officer. Firefighter Mendoza’s hobbies include hunting, fishing, and camping.
Firefighter Kenneth W. Morris – Firefighter Morris was born and raised in Madera. He is a 1989 graduate of Madera High School and attended Fresno City College. He previously worked for nine years as an airport public safety officer with the City of Fresno. In addition, he was a Madera City Fire Department volunteer for four years and worked for the California Department of Corrections for two years. In his spare time he enjoys sporting activities. Firefighter Morris is honored to continue his firefighting career with the Fresno Fire Department.
Firefighter John M. Pepper, Jr. – Firefighter Pepper grew up in Fresno and is a 2001 graduate of J. E. Young High School. His interest in the fire service began at a very young age due to his family’s history in the fire service. He participated in the Fresno Fire Department Explorer Program for three years. He is a graduate of the Fresno City College Fire Academy Class 14 and the Fresno County Paramedic Program. His past experience includes working as a paid call firefighter for Fresno County Fire Station 85 and as an EMT for Clovis Community Hospital Emergency Department. In his free time he enjoys running and spending time with family. He is honored for the opportunity to become a part of the Fresno Fire Department team and is excited to serve his community.
Firefighter Michael R. Ressler – Firefighter Ressler was born in the Bay area and has been living in the Fresno/Clovis area for over 23 years. He is a 1992 graduate of Clovis High School and received an A.S. degree from Kings River Community College. His work background consists of 13 years as a wildland firefighter with the United States Forest Service and National Park Service. His hobbies include working in the yard or on home improvements, camping, hiking, and mountain biking. Firefighter Ressler is very excited to serve the community and work for the Fresno Fire Department.
Firefighter James R. Scoggins – Firefighter Scoggins was born and raised in Orange County and is a 1991 graduate of Katella High School. He worked as a reserve firefighter for the City of Santa Ana for the past two years and with the Orange County Fire Authority in the City of Seal Beach for the last year. He enjoys mountain bike riding, playing ice hockey, and music. He is honored and thrilled with the opportunity that he has been given to join the Fresno Fire Department, and looks forward to moving and raising his family in this area.
Firefighter Daniel W. Thomas – Firefighter Thomas was born in Portland, Oregon. He has resided in the states of Washington, California, Virginia, South Carolina, and Texas by way of the United States Army or changes in residence for various reasons. He is a 1997 graduate of Fresno High and received a bachelor’s degree from Fresno State. He is a licensed pharmacy technician, veteran of the United States Army, and former football player. He enjoys many sports, including football, basketball, track and field, golf, and billiards, as well as music. Firefighter Thomas hopes to be a career firefighter for the Fresno Fire Department.
Firefighter Kris A. Townsend – Firefighter Townsend grew up in the Fresno area and graduated from Sanger High School in 1997. He has attended both Reedley College and Fresno State and has past work experience with the Fresno Airport fire and police units. Firefighter Townsend enjoys weight training and watching movies in his free time. Being a firefighter was an aspiration he thought he would never attain. He is excited to be a Fresno firefighter and is looking forward to a long career with the Department.
Firefighter Andrew O. Wong - Firefighter Wong comes to the city of Fresno by way of Hong Kong. He immigrated to San Jose, California, in 1988 with his family when they had the opportunity to escape the colony’s impending repatriation. He graduated from Bellarmine High School in 1997 and attended San Francisco State University. With the life of community service, which he began 12 years ago, Firefighter Wong is guided by his family and role models as he continues this service both professionally and personally via active participation in numerous organizations, including the Fresno affiliate of Habitat for Humanity.
Firefighter David K. Woodard, Jr. – Firefighter Woodard was born and raised in Fresno where he graduated from Bullard High School in 1994. After graduation, he studied computer engineering for two years at Fresno State University. He elected to join the U.S. Army, where he served our country proudly for seven years. While in the military, he achieved the rank of staff sergeant (E6); completed the air assault course; completed his associate of arts degree; and fought in multiple deployments, including Iraq. His hobbies include all sports, fishing and camping, watching movies, and cooking. Firefighter Woodward is in the process of completing one of his childhood dreams, which is to follow in his father’s footsteps as a member of the Fresno Fire Department. He looks forward to meeting and working with all the current firefighters and family members.
RANDY R. BRUEGMAN
FIRE CHIEF
621-4000
KEN SHOCKLEY
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
999-7227