The most recent class of Bellevue firefighters come from all walks of life.
Some are from as close as Redmond and another as far away as Indiana. Some knew that firefighting was in their future. Others spent time as a research biochemist, a juvenile corrections officer, a chiropractic physician, a pastor or a bartender. They range in age from 26 to 39.
No matter what the nine members of the 2017-1 recruit academy class for the Bellevue Fire Department did or who they were before the 13-week fire academy and five-week emergency medical technician training sessions, for the next eight months, they will work in shifts at different stations to complete their year-long probationary period to become full-fledged firefighters.
The only problem is that more people are retiring from the department than make it through screening, training and into full employment.