Odessa Fire Rescue Badge Pinning Ceremony at Central Firehouse
(David Gomez, AiNews Anchor, DRB Media Communications Digital News)
This is DRB Media Communications Digital News. Odessa Fire Rescue recently held a Badge Pinning Ceremony at the Central Fire Station. Danny Barrera has the story.
Odessa, Texas/July 12, 2026-On Friday, July 10th, Odessa Fire Rescue welcomed its newest members during a special ceremony recognizing Cadet New Hires, Cadets promoted to Firefighters, Firefighter EMT new hires, and firefighters receiving their one-year service shields. The department continues to attract dedicated men and women from communities across the country who have chosen to begin or advance their firefighting careers in Odessa.
(Jason Cotton, Fire Chief-Odessa Fire Rescue/Odessa, Texas)
“Think it has to do with our culture, right? And I think it has to do with our people. And I believe that the people here about the camaraderie in our department and the members of our department and how we do things and how dedicated we are to the job. And I think that draws people in. But this is also a vessel, right? People come here for a lot of different reasons for work, mostly oilfield stuff, but then they want something different. And I think this is a very fulfilling career and a job that means something to a lot of people. And I think that draws a lot of them into.”
The ceremony highlighted Odessa Fire Rescue’s commitment to recruiting and developing highly trained personnel who are prepared to serve and protect the residents of Odessa with professionalism, courage, and dedication.
(Jason Cotton, Fire Chief-Odessa Fire Rescue/Odessa, Texas)
“People call us on their worst days. They don’t call us for happy birthdays. They don’t call us for good days. They call us on their worst days, right? And we gotta be there to help alleviate that situation, mitigate it. Anything we can do to make them feel better, serve them, whatever we can do. And an attitude, a great attitude goes a long way in that.”
During the Badge Pinning Ceremony, Odessa Fire Rescue honored the memory of fallen firefighter Lt. Isai Huerta with a special remembrance and a moment of silence. Fellow firefighters, and attendees paused to reflect on his dedicated service, sacrifice, and lasting impact on the department and the Odessa community.
(Jason Cotton, Fire Chief-Odessa Fire Rescue/Odessa, Texas)
“Issi was was. He was the firefighter that everybody wants to be. He had the attitude, the mentality to be as good as he possibly can. The great attitude, the positive attitude, the encouraging attitude. He wanted to teach. He wanted to mentor. He wanted to do the best he could at the best job in the world. I don’t know that I ever saw the guy unhappy. He was always smiling ear to ear, happy as can be. That’s what we’re going to miss about him.”
For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera.
(David Gomez, AiNews Anchor, DRB Media Communications Digital News)
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