A day dedicated to training area firefighters started with a moment to honor some of the people who were instrumental in founding the Midwest Fire Training Academy in Morris.

Before a group of more than 100 firefighters and fire department officials had the chance to dive into the Chief Shabbona Fire Association's 12th annual Pow Wow Fire School Sunday, Plainfield Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Dave Riddle made remarks in honor of two retiring chiefs — Morris Fire and Ambulance Protection District's Chief Bob Coleman and Coal City Fire Protection District Chief Harold Holsinger. 

"Without these two men and their contributions, a lot of this would not have been possible," Riddle said. "These guys have committed heart and soul to the fire service in their careers."