"These graduates join the more than 100,000 brave men and women serving in the fire departments across this great state who, with dedication and courage, respond to emergencies day and night to protect us all," Governor Cuomo said. "I congratulate these New Yorkers on this significant accomplishment, and thank them for their commitment to public service."
The Recruit Firefighter Training Program class is 11 weeks long and includes more than 500 hours of intense training that exceeds New York State's minimum standards for firefighter personnel. Graduates of the program also receive national certification in Firefighter I, Firefighter II and Hazardous Materials Operations. All of today's graduates will become full-time firefighters in their respective fire department when they return home.
Roger L. Parrino Sr., Commissioner of the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services said, "Since the start of the firefighter training program in Montour Falls in 1984, more than 2,000 recruits have successfully completed this rigorous training. I congratulate today's graduates on their achievement and am confident they are well-prepared to ensure the safety and security of their fellow New Yorkers."
State Fire Administrator Francis 'Skip' Nerney said, "Today's graduates will return to their fire department having received extensive, in-depth training at the Academy in the latest firefighting techniques and best practices. I know these firefighters are well-prepared to respond to any type of emergency that they may respond to in the future, and I wish them continued success."
During the 11-week program, firefighters received training in areas such as emergency vehicle and pump operations, flammable gas firefighting, basic rescue technician skills and foundational firefighting training and operations. They also participated in daily physical fitness training in preparation for the Candidate Physical Ability Test.
The following firefighters graduated today from the 75th Recruit Firefighter Training Program:
- Auburn Fire Department: Theodore Alnutt, Jr., Robert Gage
- Barnard Fire Department: James Boss
- Batavia Fire Department: Ryan Hinz
- Buffalo Niagara International Airport: Steven Kane, Mitchell D. Foster
- Corning Fire Department: Jeffrey Robinson, Christopher Willis
- Dewitt Fire District: Connor J. DuPree, James C. Peet II
- Elmira Fire Department: Gordon J. Austin, Chris W. Bernal, Tyler A. Crater, Jack T. Eagen, Mackenzie Fuller-Sincock, Logan D. Westervelt
- Fairview Dutchess: Christopher Hann, Kevin Schmitt
- Fishers Fire Department: Scott D. Brotherton, Matthew J. Picchi, David S. Sorrells, Donald S. VanScott
- Gates Fire Department: Kyle Viccaro, Nick Condidorio, Jim Yale, Dominick Bole
- Geneva Fire Department: Joseph D. Passalacqua
- Gloversville Fire Department: Phlander J. Hart
- Henrietta Fire District: Daniel Blair, Daniel Parrini, Jennifer Chapman, Michael Wagner
- Herkimer Fire Department: Daniel Mabbett
- Johnstown Fire Department: Schuyler P. Duross
- Kingston Fire Department: Nathaniel Gray, Kyle Jennings, Richard Quigley, Joseph Safford
- Lake Shore Fire Department: James Nesbitt, Kevin Colburn
- Lockport Fire Department: Timothy C. Lundquist, Corey P. Webster, Peter J. Burke, John W. Messer, Nicholas Kaszuba
- Niagara Falls Fire Department: Michael Daniels Jr., Peter DiFrancesco, Gifford Harris, Jason O'Toole
- North Tonawanda Fire Department: Jacob Polen
- Norwich Fire Department: Daniel Kerila
- Olean Fire Department: Alex Austin
- Oswego Fire Department: Jason Williams
- Village of Medina Fire Department: Brad Mahnke, Cody Doran, Steven Long, Tim Miller
The Recruit Firefighter Training Program is one of the few residential training programs that provides thorough fire service training to students in an environment similar to a full-time fire department. The next Recruit Firefighter Training Program at the Academy begins in July 2018.
