West Grove Fire Company first responder Skyler Benasutti was sworn in today as a career firefighter with the Fairfax County's Fire & Rescue Department of Virginia. Benasutti will report to work this weekend in a department that runs from 39 stations, serving a population well in excess of 1.25 million people just west of the nation's capital.

Skyler graduated from the training academy today as part of Recruit Class #158 and was sworn in by Chief John S. Butler in front of County officials, fire officers, as well as family and friends. WGFC leaders were also present at the ceremonies at the Fairfax County Government Center to support Skyler, who is a volunteer firefighter running out of the WGFC station in London Britain Township.

Class 158 underwent 24 weeks of training in firefighter and emergency medical services.

Skyler has been assigned to Station 26, Edsall Road. The station is part of the Mason District, which covers numerous US Government facilities, more than 425,000 households, and many commercial and residential high-rise buildings. Skyler's station is located just a few miles from the Pentagon, and covers one of the busiest highway exchanges in the country, where I-495, -395, and -95 intersect.

Skyler has had a lifelong goal to be a firefighter, since he was four years old (as the accompanying photo demonstrates). All of us are proud of his work as a volunteer at the WGFC (which will continue), and we congratulate him on career achievement as he joins one of the nation's most respected departments.

For more on Fairfax County Fire, see: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire-ems/
The swearing in ceremony for Skyler can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JplJT7IIIlQ