SPENCER — Three years in the making, new hires and promoted members of the Spencer Fire Department officially got their badges pinned in a ceremony Friday night that was family oriented from start to finish.

Fire Chief Michael Lanning said the nine participants are “some of the best I’ve ever worked with,” and that it was beyond time they got the official recognition. He thanked all the members of his nearly fully-staffed department for their hard work and their dedication, but he also thanked the families for their support.

“If I didn’t have the absolute support at home that I do, I couldn’t do this job day in and day out like I do,” he said. “So I want to thank the families, and I don’t think you hear that enough.”

There is only one remaining spot to be filled, that of engineer, and the department will be fully staffed.

Included in the nine officially getting badges pinned on Friday were Deputy Fire Chief Byron (Doug) Lewis, Fire Captain Dakota Anderson, Fire Captain Donald (Donnie) Myers, Fire Captain Austin Waller, Fire Engineer Stephan Arnold, Fire Engineer William (Billy) Parrish, Firefighter Kolby Smith, Firefighter Alexis (Lexi) Collins and Firefighter Derek Walker.

Each was able to choose who would pin on their badge, and it ranged from wives to girlfriends to dads, though a few had an extra hand during the swearing in.

Billy Parrish attended with his wife and two young children, and as he stood to go forward to join Lanning at the podium, his son broke down, wanting his dad. So Parrish carried him up front, managing to hold his son, get most of his hand on the Bible and raise the other to swear his commitment to upholding the laws and protecting the town and residents of Spencer.

Currently, Collins is the only female in the department, and Lanning said he is confident in her abilities.

“It’s great to have diversity, and I think women can add empathy, a bit of softness, that sometimes guys can’t,” he said. “And she’s a role model to young girls, including my daughter. Harper looks at her and thinks that means she can do anything.”

Alderwoman Patricia Sledge, who attended the ceremony along with Alderman Rashid Muhammad, said that she hopes the community will continue to support the growth in public safety.

“Change is uncomfortable sometimes, but we have been talking about the need for growth for probably five years, and we recognized it was time,” she said. The town has not only invested in a paid department but in new equipment, with a new fire truck coming in September, and plans to expand the existing fire house.

“Change is uncomfortable at times, but we do a lot with grant money, and to get a new truck, that is under warranty, instead of trying to make repairs that don’t hold, makes sense,” said Muhammad. “I do wish more people would attend events like this so they can get to know those who work for them. I wish they would involve themselves and pay homage to the woman and men who work tirelessly to keep them safe.”

“Remember,” Lanning said to those at Friday’s ceremony, “When you wear this badge, it represents the history of our department and the trust of the community. You are a beacon of hope to those you serve and protect.”