Family and friends gathered for a graduation ceremony on Fri., June 10, as the Tacoma Fire Department welcomed 21 new firefighters to their ranks. The graduates completed 13 weeks of intensive preparation and have been training to respond to hazardous materials incidents, vehicle extrication operations, confined space rescue, fire suppression, and emergency medical incidents. Successfully completing the classroom, hands-on, and competency-based testing allows these recruits to graduate to probationary firefighter status and continue to demonstrate their skills over the next nine months, at which time they will achieve firefighter in full standing.