The Snoqualmie Fire Department welcomed a bumper crop of new volunteers last month.

Ten new graduates from the Mountain View Fire Recruit Academy joined the ranks of the department, with enough knowledge to respond to any fire emergency in the city. All ten volunteers are Snoqualmie residents.

The group received their department pins from Mayor Matt Larson at a ceremony held Monday, Jan. 26, before the Snoqualmie City Council. The group cleared the academy in December, alongside 49 other recruits from the cities of Milton, Black Diamond, Auburn and Shoreline.

The recruit program has exceeded beyond the highest expectations, Larson said. He praised Fire Chief Bob Rowe and Battalion Chief Todd Reynolds and their crew for training and welcoming the resident volunteers.

“One thing that has impressed me is that the volunteers come from all walks of life,” Larson said. “This reflects well on the city of Snoqualmie. I never cease to be inspired by the generosity and enthusiasm that Snoqualmie residents bring to their community.”

Many residents may not know how much volunteers do to provide emergency services, Rowe said.

Volunteers respond at a moment’s notice, whether it is day or night, to put a fire out, to rescue a person in harm’s way, or sometimes to simply give the assurance that, in fact, nothing is wrong.

“Our volunteer program has grown considerably since our inception, and we are extremely grateful for the dedication and commitment of each one of our volunteers,” Rowe said.

“They are helping to strengthen our community and without them we could not offer the services to the community that we currently provide,” the fire chief said.

Members of the latest graduating class include Brian Carlson, Scott Friedman, Russell Hall, Ned Kautzman, Kiley Kinman, Benjamin Parker, Ron Payne, Kalen Privatsky, Stephen Stockman and Charles Wargo.