The Lakeland Fire Department marked an important moment in the career of one of its newer members earlier today. A ceremony was held on April 28, 2021, to mark Eric Green’s successful first year with the department and his transition from “Rookie” Firefighter to “Regular” Firefighter.
Firefighter Green made it through LFD’s rigorous hiring process, new hire orientation, and a year-long probation period that includes multiple skills, physical abilities, and knowledge assessments.He celebrated his transition from probationary to regular status firefighters in the company of family and colleagues. The ceremony marks the completion of the Personal Qualification Standards that the department uses to vet the finest candidates.
This probationary period is designed to ensure that new additions live up to the department’s standards and are cut out for a difficult line of work in the fire service. #LFD is experiencing rejuvenation in its workforce with these new firefighters coming on board last year.
More about Eric: Firefighter/EMT Eric Green started with the Lakeland Fire Department in April 2020. Eric was born and raised in Lakeland and has always called this beautiful city home.
Eric attended the McKeel Academy of Technology, graduating in 2013. After high school, Eric went on to Warner University to play baseball for the school and finished his collegiate studies at Hillsborough Community College with an associate’s degree.
Eric is living his dream, serving others as a firefighter, and with his first year complete, Eric plans to set his sights on other goals to continue to grow within the department. Eric shares that he would like to train to join the department’s USAR and ARFF teams, become a paramedic and someday promote to a leadership role as a lieutenant.
Eric has been busy keeping up with his first-year tests and work but in his free time, Eric enjoys watching the sport he spent many years playing, baseball, playing golf, and spending time with his family which is about to grow to three. Eric and his wife Zahra are expecting their first child, Harper Reign Green, in a few weeks.
In regards to his promotion Eric shares “ thank you to my parents for raising me in a good Christian home and always setting a good example for me. Thank you to my wife for always supporting and believing in me even when things get tough. Thank you Battalion Chief Faviere, Lt. Craw, and the rest of my crew at Station 3 for welcoming me into the family.”.
Congratulations to Eric on completing his first successful year as a Lakeland firefighter; the first of hopefully many other momentous career achievements to come.