Bowmanstown firefighters have been recognized for their dedicated service to their community.

Borough fire Chief Mike Spairana explained the process firefighters have to go through at Tuesday’s borough council meeting.

“We encourage our recruits to take essentials programs,” Spairana said.

“These programs are not available on a yearly basis but they do come up every couple of years.”

Spairana told council the essentials programs are 188 hours in length this year, adding it’s 27 nights during the week and seven weekends, which encompasses four months of training.

The department’s newest firefighter to accomplish this task is Brandon Snyder.

“After the essentials programs we encourage them take pumps 1 and 2, that’s about 50 hours; we also encourage them to take rescue 1, 2 and 3, which is another 100 hours,” he said. “So far, we have 338 hours of dedication to the fire service and its community all on their own time.”

Spairana said the next step is to take firefighter I, which will equal 184 hours of training, or 26 weekdays and 10 Saturdays of their busy lives.

“This is a true dedication to the community and to its fire service,” he said.

The newest firefighters who have accomplished this are Codi Sigley, Michael Engle, and the very first female firefighter in their department, Kristy Spairana.

Spairana added other firefighters who were never recognized after their class and their accomplishments are Michael Spairana III, Brian Uhnak, Peter Ondrasik and Mike Leburn.

“Besides taking classes, we ask them to come to drill night every Monday night, maintain the building and grounds, and to do fundraising,” he said. “Oh what do you mean, you have a life, job and family?”

Council gave the firefighters in attendance a standing ovation for their dedicated service.