Forty firefighters for the North Bannock Fire Department were sworn in and received badges during a ceremony on Wednesday at the Bannock County Veterans Memorial Building in Pocatello.

North Bannock Fire Chief J.R. Farnsworth said in a speech that the department was a little over a year into its firefighters’ training and almost a year of being an active fire department.

He said that over the last year the department has retained a majority of the volunteers who started with the department.

There are several reasons for the success that North Bannock is having, Farnsworth said.

“First is the dedication of our firefighters with the support of their family and their places of employment,” he said.

Second is the support from the community, other fire departments, local businesses and nonprofits.

And it could not be done without the willingness of the firefighters to accept the responsibility and sacrifice that comes with being a volunteer firefighter, according to Farnsworth.

He said volunteers spend hours away from their families and miss birthdays and get-togethers. And they face waking up early and then having to go to work the next morning after a long night spent fighting a fire.

In fact, some firefighters had to leave during the ceremony to respond to a fire call.

“Thank you firefighters for your dedication and sacrifice,” he said.

Farnsworth, who along with Assistant Chief Mark Brood are the only two paid members of the department, said they also recognize the sacrifice of the family during those same times.

Oftentimes family members have to explain to children why the firefighters aren’t there during an important event or they may have to do extra to keep the household running while the firefighter is away, he said.

Family members pinned badges onto the volunteer firefighters shirts during the ceremony.

“We asked family members and friends to place the badges on the firefighters as a symbol of the firefighter’s family now being a part of the North Bannock firefighter family,” Farnsworth said.

Farnsworth said the department also wanted to recognize the many businesses whose employees serve as North Bannock firefighters.

“When businesses allow their employees to respond to support the needs of a community, those businesses should be recognized for the sacrifice they make in being short-handed, which at times may result in a loss of profit,” he said.

Farnsworth said the North Bannock Department has largely been supported by outside sources.

“We have gear donated by many fire departments,” he said. “We have been supported with donations and grants from ICCU, Firehouse Subs, Walmart, Wild Hare Estate Sales, the Hand Institute and Portneuf Regional Medical Center, along with people within the community and nonprofits.”

And he said the pinning ceremony was made possible by the AMVETS Post No. 1 Finding Life a Center for Independent Living, which provided some $2,000 to buy the badges.

“Our North Bannock firefighters and officers have now been given the oath to uphold the public trust,” Farnsworth said. “May they always remember this day and the oath that they have taken.”

He also noted that people are welcome to visit the new firehouse.

"It's your house as well," he said.