New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray announced the graduation of 37 new firefighters from the State’s Recruit Firefighter Training program at the Office of Fire Prevention and Control’s Academy of Fire Science in Montour Falls. Graduates come from 17 fire departments across the state, representing the Academy’s 87th Recruit Firefighter Training class. The rigorous 15-week residential program provides extensive fire service training in an environment like a full-time fire department. Upon graduation, all the recruits will serve as career firefighters in their respective fire departments.
“I extend my hearty congratulations to today’s graduates on their achievement, and I wish them well as they are well-prepared to help protect New Yorkers from fire danger and other emergencies,” Commissioner Bray said. “Training first responders is a core mission of ours and we take great pride in training future firefighters. We are extremely proud of today’s graduates for completing a challenging 15-week residential training program and know they will do an outstanding job protecting the public in the future.”
The Office of Fire Prevention and Control’s Recruit Firefighter Training Program provides basic training for recently hired career firefighters, as well as volunteer firefighters. During the 15-week program, recruits participate in more than 600 hours of training in both classroom and practical settings. Classes focus on areas such as structural, vehicle, and flammable liquid firefighting, emergency vehicle operations, hazardous material emergency incident, and basic rescue technician operations. Recruits also participate in daily physical fitness training in preparation for the Candidate Physical Ability Test. Upon completion, graduates will have received national certification from the National Board of Fire Service Professional Qualifications in Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Fire and Life Safety Educator I, and Hazardous Materials Operations.
Today’s graduates received training in areas such as operating aerial devices; traffic incident management to keep firefighters safe on roadways; health and safety; firefighter rescue; hazardous materials response, and technical rescue. During the training program, students use iPads to provide them with greater access and flexibility to testing, as well as study materials.
The following firefighters graduated today from the 87th Recruit Firefighter Training Program:
