North Kentucky News

In a ceremony held at City Hall, nine recruits were officially sworn in as Covington firefighters on Friday. The event marked the culmination of a 16-week training program described by instructors as both rigorous and transformative.

Fire Chief Corey Deye addressed the new firefighters, stating, "You have just completed one of the most challenging and demanding fire training programs in Northern Kentucky. You have pushed through physical exhaustion, mental strain, and countless hours of hard work."

Lt. J.P. Navin highlighted the achievements of the class, noting their success in beating a team of current firefighters in the Promontory Hill "Challenge." He said, "This class set many records, some of which will likely stand for a long time. We had only one rule: Just don’t quit."

The training took place across various locations, including classrooms at the now-closed City Heights housing complex and parking garage stairwells. It covered a range of skills from hose layout in urban environments to ladder use and different types of fire suppression.

Jimmy Adams, Covington’s Deputy Chief of Operations and lead instructor for the class, expressed confidence in the recruits' readiness. "We had 16 weeks to turn people of various past life experiences into firefighters," he said. "I feel without a doubt that this task has been accomplished."

Covington Mayor Pro Tem Ron Washington administered the oath of office to the recruits and emphasized their role within the community. "Our city is a vibrant mosaic of cultures, backgrounds, and traditions," he said. "As firefighters, you will be serving a community that is as diverse as it is dynamic."

Washington added, “Whether it’s a medical emergency, a fire, or another crisis, the people of Covington will look to you for help.”

The new firefighters are:

Cameron Barrett graduated from Dixie Heights High School and earned a degree in marketing from Morehead State University. He has worked on his family’s real estate team and coached high school football.

Andrew Burk graduated from Scott High School and served in the U.S. Army with deployments to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Allen Frank comes from a family with firefighting backgrounds and holds degrees in Criminal Justice and Fire Science from the University of Cincinnati.

Jacob Hughes served four years as a military police officer in the U.S. Air Force.

William Louis graduated from Newport Central Catholic High School and attended Thomas More University before joining Southgate Volunteer Fire Department.

Caleb Madison graduated from Dixie Heights High School and earned a degree in Fire Protection Administration from Eastern Kentucky University.

Jacob Metcalf studied Fire Science at Cincinnati State after graduating Elder High School in Cincinnati.

Natalie Neufelder obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Northern Kentucky University.

Dylan Sabie previously worked as an electrical lineman.

The newly inducted firefighters are expected to bring diverse skills and experiences to their roles within Covington's Fire Department.