Batesville Fire & Rescue Hires Two New Firefighters

Thursday, May 31, 2018 at 11:29 AM

By Press release from Batesville Fire & Rescue

One of the new firefighters is a 2013 Franklin County High School graduate.

Batesville Fire & Rescue announced Thursday the hiring of Donovan Imel and Gary Hardin III. Photo provided.

(Batesville, Ind.) – Fire Chief Todd Schutte is pleased to announce Batesville Fire & Rescue has hired two new full-time firefighters/EMT’s.

Donovan Imel, 23, is a 2014 Waldron High School graduate and has worked as a part-time EMT for Batesville Fire & Rescue since July 2015. Imel has also served on Ripley County EMS.

“It is a dream come true for me to say that I am now a career fireman,” said Imel.

Gary Hardin III, 23, will continue his family’s legacy as a third-generation firefighter. The 2013 Franklin County High School graduate has served on Sunman Rural Fire Department for five years. Hardin has also worked for Rescue 69, Ripley County EMS and Rescue 20.

“My father and grandfather have both been firefighters, so I’ve been involved in the fire service my whole life,” explained Hardin. “I remember going to fires when I was a young kid and honestly there is nothing else I would rather do.”

Both firefighters successfully completed an extensive hiring process and have necessary Firefighter II and EMT-B certifications.