Casper Fire Department swears in three new graduates

CASPER, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - Three new firefighters were sworn in last week. We learned what inspires these young men to put their lives on the line, and also got a little taste of training.

After 12 weeks of training split between Casper and Cheyenne, the Casper Fire Department certified three probationary firefighters last Friday. Jarett Wing explained what inspired him. “So I’ve been wanting to be a firefighter, kind of since high school. I really enjoy helping people out. And I also don’t like working alone. I like being with a team. And so, that’s exactly what firefighting is. You work as a team to help people out.”

For Michael Harshman, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. “My dad was a firefighter. I looked up to my dad as my hero for my entire life. I knew I was wanting to follow in his footsteps since I was five years old.”

Michael’s dad, Mark, served for 44 years, and retired as the Deputy Chief of Fire. When told that Michael was his inspiration, Mark was thrilled and responded, “Very proud, very proud. He’s an amazing young man.”

These probies, as they’re called, not only had to go through the regular firefighting training for 12 weeks, they even had to learn to cook for themselves. So, of the three, which one is the better cook?

Wing said, “Uh, that’s a tough one. I use my family farm meat. I’d say myself just because I like our own home grown beef!” When asked later, Harshman replied “Ohhh, the best cook of the three? I’m going to give it to myself. (Chuckles) But that’s just because I like to cook. I like cooking, and I eat for myself quite a bit.”

Bucking bronco rider Clayton Atkinson is the third graduate. Would he vote for himself, or one of the other guys?

When asked, Clayton laughed then said, “Umm, I got to remember what everybody cooked.” After some thought, he said, “Mike, he made some stuff one day that was pretty dang good. He’s not too bad in the ‘ol kitchen.”

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