The eight started orientation Monday, Aug. 6 and will continue the next two weeks.

Harrison Hovater, Chris Llanes, Chris Pokracki, Lawanna Peeler, and Caleb Walls will begin a 10-week recruit class at the Tennessee Fire and Codes Enforcement Academy in Bell Buckle, TN Monday, August 27^th. Dillon Harris, Andrew Pristach, and Kyle Stewart will begin their shift assignments upon completion of their three week orientation.

“We are excited to welcome these additions to our MFRD family,” said Fire Rescue Chief Mark Foulks. “They are joining us at an exciting time and we look forward to seeing them in action.”

MEET THE NEW HIRES

Dillon Harris, Emergency Medical Responder

9 years’ experience (3 career/6 volunteer)

Married to Meagan

Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, and kayaking.

Looking most forward to: “Learning from people with many more years’ experience than myself and working for a progressive department.”

Harrison Hovater, Emergency Medical Responder

6 years’ experience

Hobbies: Playing sports, being outdoors, and spending time with family, friends, and his dogs.

Looking most forward to: “Being a part of a great, fast-growing, and progressive department and serving the people of the town I grew up in.”

Christopher Llanes

1 year experience

Married to Sherrie, with children Aneiylan (11), Arrianna (9) and Rey (2)

Hobbies: Working out, grappling, sparring, outdoor activities, marksmanship training, and competitive events.

Looking most forward to: “The comradery, structure, training, and unit cohesion.”

Lawanna Peeler, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician

14 years (volunteer-medical side), also Safety Team of Nashville Superspeedway and Fairground Speedway for 6 years each

Children: Madelynne (20), Jeff (16), and Sam (10)

Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, cooking, kayaking, spending time at the lake/beach, and anything outdoors.

Looking most forward to: “Continuing my education and training to better myself and to serve this community to the best of my ability.”

She adds, “I’m excited to be a part of this well-respected department and feel blessed to be selected to be a part of the MFRD family.”

Christopher Pokracki, Basic Emergency Medical Technician

4 years experience

Married to Amanda

Hobbies: Playing hockey and softball, attending sporting events, and traveling.

Looking most forward to: “Being a part of a growing department and having a great career here.”

Andrew Pristach, Basic Emergency Medical Technician

7 years experience

Hobbies: Metal working, fabrication, fire training, and off-roading

Looking most forward to: “Working for a respected and well-staffed department.”

Kyle Stewart, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician

15 years experience (9 career/6 volunteer)

Married to Jodi with children Hudson (7) and Hadley (4)

Hobbies: Spending time with friends and family, hunting, outdoor activities, and attending church.

Looking most forward to: “Working with the most progressive department in the state and expanding my family in the fire service by nearly two hundred members.”

Caleb Walls

Hobbies: Rock climbing and mountain biking

Looks most forward to: “Being a part of the family I grew up with.”

Caleb is a third generation MFRD employee. His grandfather is a retired Captain and his dad currently serves as Captain.

Pictured (L to R): Kyle Stewart, Chris Llanes, Caleb Walls, Andrew Pristach, Dillon Harris, Chris Pokracki, Lawanna Peeler, and Harrison Hovater.