Zanesville Fire Department Swears in its Newest Firefighters

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- Two out of the four new firefighters were sworn in Friday at the Zanesville Fire Department (ZFD), downtown firehouse.

The two men, Ryan Saegert and Cody Bragg, took an oath during the ceremony in front of their family and friends and the Zanesville Mayor, Don Mason. 

Ryan Saegert, one of the newest firefighter with ZFD said it took years of training and dedication to get to this memorable moment.

“It feels great. I feel very honored to be here at this department and be able to give my all every shift that I’m here and even off shift, in community action and resources and stuff like that,” Saegert stated. “Like I said, I’m just proud to be a Zanesville fireman.”

Saegert said he is looking to have a long, successful and healthy career and is expected to live out the rest of his career with ZFD.

According to Jeff Bell, Fire Chief at ZFD, the first female firefighter was also hired with the department, but wasn’t able to make it to the ceremony. 

“She is also a reservist with the United States air force so she is in good fellow air force base doing a school down there for three months and when she gets done with that, she’ll get to come up here,” Chief Bell said. “And we’ll invite her family and she’ll be able to partake in swearing in a ceremony also.”

Chief Bell said this is the best part about being a chief and witnessing new generations of firefighters entering the department.  

During the ceremony, they also received a pin and a helmet that was pinned on by a loved one.