PORT TOWNSEND — Four new firefighters will join East Jefferson Fire-Rescue this week after graduating from the state Fire Training Academy last weekend.

Identical twins Robyn Banks and Rachel Banks, and Nehemiah Killam and Kyle Louthan graduated from the academy last Sunday, Nov. 6, after 2½ months of study, physical exercise and fire training.

They were among 18 recruits who started the 11-week course Aug. 19. Seventeen graduated in the ceremony in Renton.

The 180-hour course meets National Fire Protection Association 1001 Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications at the Firefighter I, Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations Levels.

Killam received two honors recognizing his accomplishments while at the academy, said Bill Beezley, spokesman for the fire department.

He was first among the recruits to receive the Bulldog Award, a weekly award given to those who go above and beyond to help others, Beezley said.

Killam also received the First Due Engine Award, presented to a select few who, in the opinion of the academy instructors, are ready to be hired on immediately and who, Killam said, “know their stuff.”

Killam was one of only four of the 17 graduates who received this award.

The four students training for East Jefferson Fire-Rescue left Port Townsend each Friday afternoon and drove together to the academy in North Bend, arriving before class began at 6 p.m.

After several hours of instruction that evening, they were back up at 6 a.m. Saturday for an hour of physical exercise before a day of classroom instruction, drills and fire exercises that ended at 6 p.m.

This routine repeated itself each Sunday.

“The PE really helped in several ways,” Killam said.

“Not only did I get in better shape, but it was a good wake-up before we hit the books.”

Their work wasn’t limited to weekends, Beezley said.

Each candidate had up to 24 hours of individual study and skills practice during the week.

The four agreed that all the work paid off.

“Not only do I know so much more, but I’m also much more confident in my fire behavior and control knowledge,” Rachel Banks said.

Her sister Robyn agreed, adding, “I really enjoyed the search and rescue training.

“They blindfolded us and had us go through a house, room-by-room, to find a dummy representing an unconscious person.

“That was my favorite part.”

Louthan was nervous about the final practical drill.

“It was tough to remember all we had learned, plus following protocol while using the radio,” he said.

“It all came together, though”

Louthan and Robyn Banks already have their emergency medical technician certifications, while Rachel Banks and Killam will attend EMT school beginning in January, Beezley said.

Other departments with candidates in the academy were Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue, King County International Airport-Aircraft Rescue Firefighting, North Whatcom Fire and Rescue, Pierce County Fire District No. 27, and Snoqualmie Pass Fire & Rescue.

For more information about the academy, see www.wsp.wa.gov and click on State Fire Marshal.