38 new firefighters graduated on Thursday 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 11 fire departments across the state, representing the Academy’s 90th 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 and join 2457 other graduates of this program.
“Congratulations to the graduates of the 90th Recruit Firefighter training class,” New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said. “You join the thousands of firefighters across New York State who risk their lives day in and day out to protect New Yorkers from fire danger and other emergencies. Thank you for your commitment to public safety and your service to your local communities. I wish all of the graduates godspeed as career firefighters in the fire service.”
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 incidents 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 and Hazardous Materials Operations. In addition, they received completion in nearly 30 courses offered by the Office of Fire Prevention and Control.
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 on Thursday:
Corey McNaughton, Joshua Prince: Cortland Fire
Cameron Smith: Dewitt
Michael Simmes, Kyle Spiezio, Joseph Sullivan and Joshua Tudda: Glens Falls
Christopher Davis, Joshua Szarek: Hornell
Bryan Adams, William Bellingham, Junior, Gaelen Walsh, Kelton Young, and Daimon Shoemaker: Ithaca
Nolan Emerson, Matthew Golombek, Sarah Hanlon, Colin Melquist, Walker Perry, Michael Scalise, Christopher Szatkowski, and Lucas Willink: Jamestown
Derek Caldwell, Xavier Jones, and Benjamin Kalbfliesh: Lockport
Joseph Kyle and Tiffany Petry: Medina
Abbie Bales, Gage Campbell, Christopher Clemente, Kyle Kon, Cole Ladouceur, Caden Michaels, and Adyme Ritz-LaRue: Oswego
Gavyn Mitchell, Connor O’Neil, and Christopher Rowell: Plattsburgh
Nicholas Lepiane: St. Paul Boulevard
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