City’s newest firefighter wants to make a difference

Gluckstadt’s newest rookie firefighter grew up in Madison County and says he looks forward to serving his community.

Firefighter Justin Wells has been with the Gluckstadt Fire Department since May and graduated from the Mississippi Fire Academy on Feb. 22. 

“Everybody here is really cool,” Wells said. “It is basically a big family.”

GFD Division Chief Dustin Perry said the department was happy to welcome Wells to their ranks.

“Please join us in congratulating Justin Wells for graduating the Mississippi State Fire Academy’s basic firefighter class,” he said in an announcement from the department. “Congratulations.”

The 19-year-old moved to Madison County as a kid. He graduated from Germantown High School in 2022.

After graduation, Wells considered what he would do next, initially considering a stint in the military but soon knew he wanted to make an impact in the community he grew up in.

“I wanted to do something more local,” Wells said.

After a friend who worked with the fire department told him to drop by and meet some of the guys, Wells soon knew he wanted to give fighting fires a shot.

“I love it,” Wells said.”It's a fun job and you get to help people.”

He even enjoyed his time in the academy.

“The academy was fun,” Wells said.