The Chattanooga Fire Department started a new fire academy Friday, and it is believed to be one of the largest in the department's history.
Fire Chief Randy Parker offered an official welcome this morning to 32 firefighter recruits. That is the largest fire academy anyone in the department can remember.
If the recruits can successfully make it through intense instruction dealing with numerous topics such as emergency medical care, fire operations, and hazardous materials - and survive a rigorous physical training regimen - they will graduate on Thursday, May 20, 2010.