Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department (MFRD) welcomed seven fire trainees last week.
Tyler Allen, Corra Dirksen, Tyson Donaldson, Nicholas Lanzafame, Sterling Rogers, Ryan St. Peter, and Jarriett Toney began orientation with MFRD on Monday, August 27 and will start a 15-week recruit class with Franklin Fire Department at their training center next week.
“We are excited to have this diverse group of young men join our MFRD family,” said Fire Rescue Chief Mark Foulks. “I know they are eager to begin their fire service careers and will be valuable assets to the department.”
MEET THE NEW HIRES
Tyler Allen
Married to Deanna
Hobbies: Enjoys working and being outdoors. When he’s not working his regular day job, he tries to lend a hand on the family’s beef farm. “I also enjoy helping my friends and neighbors with whatever they may need assistance with.”
Looks most forward to: “Working with a great group of people, doing a job that is very rewarding. As a child, I always wanted to be in public service; however, I never knew what that role might be. I am ecstatic about this opportunity!”
Cornelius “Corra” Derickson
Married to Kelsey with son Ronan, 2
Hobbies: Carpentry, hiking, mountain biking, camping, kayaking down the Duck River, hunting, and “pretty much anything to get my family out to experience nature.”
Looks most forward to: “Becoming a part of a nationwide ‘brotherhood’ and fulfilling my lifelong dream of becoming a firefighter.”
More about Corra: “I was born and raised in South Africa and went to Life University in Marietta, Georgia on a rugby scholarship. I then made the USA National Rugby Team from 2012-2014 and traveled to locations such as Canada, Tonga, Argentina, and Russia to play. I got married in 2014 and we settled in Columbia, Tennessee after my son was born.”
Tyson Donaldson
Married to Jennifer with kids Brody, 8, Bryce, 7, and Brett, 2
Hobbies: Golf, football, baseball, hockey, and hanging out with his kids.
Looks most forward to: “Serving my community and helping those in their time of need.”
More about Tyson: He is a former Marine and served for five years.
Nicholas Lanzafame, EMT
Spent eight months in the College Fire Academy
Hobbies: Fishing, shooting, working out, and baseball.
Looks most forward to: “Being a part of this great family and beginning my career as an MFRD firefighter.”
More about Nicholas: He is from Glendale, California, served in Afghanistan with the U.S. Marine Corp.
Donald “Sterling” Rogers
1 year of volunteer fire service experience
Hobbies: Hiking, camping, boxing, weightlifting, and mixed martial arts (MMA).
Looks most forward to: “Having a new family that shares great values and creates wonderful memories serving the public.”
Sterling says, “I feel so blessed to have been granted the opportunity to give back to the community that I grew up in and to be able to serve the people I love.”
More about Sterling: Former Emergency Medical Technician and Army Medic.
Ryan St. Peter, EMT
Five years’ fire service experience
Hobbies: Dirt biking, snowboarding, and fishing.
Looks most forward to: “Serving the citizens of Murfreesboro with the utmost respect and professionalism while continuing to learn and better myself, not only as a firefighter but as a member of the MFRD family.”
Ryan says, “I would like to share my appreciation to MFRD for this amazing opportunity.”
Jarriett Toney
Engaged to Yazmin with son Maddox, 7
Hobbies: Playing and watching sports, working out, hiking, camping, traveling, binge-watching Netflix, concerts, and serving the community.
Looks most forward to: “Being a part of the MFRD family and serving the community.”
Jarriett says, “I’m very excited about starting my career as a firefighter at the same time as my younger brother who will be joining the Columbia, South Carolina Fire Department in October.”
PHOTO: (L to R): Corra Dirkson, Tyson Donaldson, Jarriett Toney, Sterling Rogers, Nicholas Lanzafame, Tyler Allen, and Ryan St. Peter.