The roster of the Vicksburg Fire Department is increased by three with the Feb. 18 graduation of Jeffrey D. Hearn, Marquis G. Parson, and Andrew J. Rodgers II from the Mississippi State Fire Academy in Jackson.

“I’m glad to see them complete the academy and join the department,” Fire Chief Charles Atkins said. He said the three have not yet been assigned to a station or shift, adding they are being sent to different stations as needed.

“They have wanted to be firefighters for a long time. I’m glad they are now certified,” he said. “Before, they were limited on what they could do.”

Before going to the academy and getting their certification, he said, the three men took EMT Basic training, learned about the fire tools and were trained to “catch the hydrant” from trucks — get off the trucks, run the hose and connect it to the hydrant.

“That’s one of the first things we train them on and that was about as far as they were allowed to go,” Atkins said. “Now they can go from the hydrant to the fire. With their EMT training they will also be allowed to go with the ambulances.”

Presently, he said, Hearn, Parson and Rodgers’ joining the department will not have a significant impact on the department’s manpower situation, which is about 16 people short of full staff, but said that could soon change.

“We have four other men getting ready to go to the next academy class in March,” he said, “and we have the 11 people we recently hired.” Atkins did not know when the latest 11 will be able to become certified.

“When we get them certified, that will help us,” he said.