Milwaukee Fire Department welcomes 35 firefighter graduates

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Fire Department welcomed 35 new Milwaukee firefighter graduates at a graduation ceremony Wednesday, Nov. 24.

"The MFD is pleased to announce the graduation of 35 fire recruits," the Milwaukee Fire Department announced in a statement. "Each individual graduating spent the past 16 weeks preparing for this moment. The recruits were challenged both physically and mentally throughout their time at the Training Academy so that they would understand what it truly means to be a part of this great profession."

Chief Aaron Lipski said Wednesday's graduation is a major step towards becoming a professional firefighter.

"It's much like getting a drivers license, it doesn't mean they're Mario Andretti. It means you're capable of entering into this atmosphere they call the fire service. They've got the basics, the core understanding of what they're supposed to be doing."

The graduates will work with fire companies and paramedic units to use what they've learned and test their skills in real-life situations.