For the second time this year, the Minneapolis Fire Department held a graduation ceremony to welcome new recruits to its ranks.
The 10 new firefighters, some of whom passed the test in 2006 and have had to wait since then to join the department, were welcomed Thursday by Chief John Fruetel in a ceremony held at the city's Emergency Operations Training Facility.
"You're ready," Fruetel told the group, as 100 friends and family members looked on.
The class welcomed Thursday is the second to join the department in 2013; a group of nine cadets graduated in May.
The recession and tight city budgets dramatically slowed the Fire Department's hiring plans in recent years.
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
More From Local
High Schools
Fall or spring, it's Rochester Mayo's year in prep tennis
The Spartans have the top-ranked boy and a high team ranking now, after producing individual and team champs during the girls season.
Local
Minneapolis reaches $150k settlement with eyewitness of George Floyd's murder
Donald Williams, a former MMA fighter, has several criminal cases pending.
Local
Israel-Hamas war creates 'really fraught times' at Minn. colleges
The latest conflict is happening thousands of miles away. But debates over Palestinian rights and antisemitism hover over U.S. college campuses, including the University of Minnesota.
Local
Rare and fatal brain disease in two deer hunters heightens concerns about CWD
A team of researchers said the cases hint at a potential contamination from infected venison. CDC says link is unlikely.
Politics
911 transcript gives more detail of Sen. Mitchell's alleged burglary
A caller now identified as Mitchell's stepmother told a dispatcher she "tripped over" a person who was on the floor next to her bed. That person was later identified as the DFL senator.
