BREMERTON — The city welcomed three new firefighters/EMTs to the fold at Wednesday night’s council meeting and saw three more promoted.

Evan Markovich and Rickey Muttart were hired April 2, and Kurt Van Ness was hired June 1. The three were formally sworn in at the Norm Dicks Government Center on July 18.

“As you know, we’ve had quite a bit of turnover in the fire department this past year and we’re always on the lookout for some talent out there,” Fire Chief David Schmitt said. “And we’ve got three extremely talented individuals ready to go out there.”

Also recognized for promotions were Lt. Jeff Prichard and Capt. Ricardo Valdez. Prichard and Valdez moved up to their respective ranks of lieutenant and captain in June. Prichard has been with the Bremerton Fire Department since 2000 and has been working in fire prevention for a number of years. Valdez is a 22-year veteran, hired in May 1996 and made lieutenant in August 2015.

Battalion Chief Brad Richard was also scheduled to be sworn in, but he had responded to the Wednesday evening brush fire at the Bremerton watershed. He was promoted to his position in February.

— Mark Krulish is a reporter for Kitsap News Group. He can be reached at mkrulish@soundpublishing.com.

Bremerton Fire Department Lt. Jeff Prichard is sworn in to his new position. He has been with the department for 18 years and was promoted to Lieutenant in June. (Mark Krulish/Kitsap News Group)

22-year veteran Capt. Ricardo Valdez takes the oath for his new position. He was promoted to captain in June. (Mark Krulish/Kitsap News Group)

Capt. Ricardo Valdez, Lt. Jeff Prichard, Kurt Van Ness, Rickey Muttart, Evan Markovich, and Chief David Schmitt stand in front of the Bremerton City Council. (Mark Krulish/Kitsap News Group)