SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- On June 5, 15 new South Bend fire recruits graduated from the Luther J. Taylor Sr. Fire Training Center.

The new recruits will become rookie firefighters from the cities of La Porte, Michigan City and South Bend.

Mayor Pete Buttigieg was present for the swearing-in ceremony, touching on the vital role that firefighters play in the community.

Firefighter Chad Vanoverberg talked about his time training for his future role.

“It’s just been a long time coming, I mean, twenty-one weeks of hard training and being away from my family a little bit, I’m just excited to be done and join the brotherhood with everybody else,” said Vanoverberg.

The recruits spent 21 weeks training in emergency response and other skills needed for fighting fires and saving lives.