FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Fire Academy graduated 66 firefighters from the Firefighter I program this week. Graduates were divided into two classes: Class 92 graduated Dec. 20 and Class 93 graduated Dec. 21. Both ceremonies were held at the Fire Academy on Route 33 in Howell.
Graduates worked 188 hours over 30 sessions and received training in rescue, fire extinguishment, hazardous materials response, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, electrical safety, and care of hoses, ladders and other equipment.
"You have stepped forward to serve others, and you will have rewards," Freeholder Deputy Director John P. Curley said in his address to Class 93. "You will answer the call and place your lives on the line to save someone else's life and property, because that is what you are trained to do. You have such an extraordinary challenge because so many people will look up to you."
"Public service comes in many forms, and some are more dangerous than others," Freeholder Lillian G. Burry said in her address to Class 92. "The job you are about to embark on is dangerous. I am confident that you will succeed because of the training you received at this academy by these fine instructors."
A graduate from each class earned an award in honor of Ronald Fitzpatrick, a former instructor at the Fire Academy who died in 2003. The awards went to Jeffrey Daley, Class 92, of the Oakhurst Fire Company in Ocean Township, and Daniel O'Leary, Class 93, of the Point Pleasant Beach #2 Fire Company in recognition of their high test scores.
Monmouth County Fire Marshal Henry Stryker III congratulated the graduates and urged them to continue their training with advanced courses offered at the Fire Academy.
"Over the years I have learned that it takes a special type of person to be a firefighter," Stryker said. "They have to have a passion to do this job. The graduates sitting before us have that passion because they have completed the rigorous training as their first step. Please be safe."
"I have no doubt you will be an asset to your community," said William Itinger, chief training officer. "These firefighter graduates are to be commended for their dedication and willingness to serve. Go out and join the ranks of the firefighting community. Be safe, and have good careers."
Each year thousands of local firefighters receive training at the county Fire Academy. Applications for the spring 2012 Firefighter I class are being accepted now. Classes will begin in February.
# # #
Class #92 Firefighter 1 graduates
Arvel Afflick East Windsor #2
Kyle Bauter Glendola, Wall Township
Ryan Boyle Wanamassa Fire Company
Brett Brahn Spring Lake Fire Department
Francis Calabrese Red Bank Fire Department
Eric Cantwell Ridgeway Fire Company
Mathew Chester Ridgeway Fire Company
Travis Ciani Tinton Falls Fire Company #1
Kevin Covert Sea Bright Fire Department
Zachery Covert Sea Bright Fire Department
Michael Crismali East Windsor #2
Christopher D'Eufemia Spring Lake Fire Department
Jeffrey Daley Oakhurst Fire Company
Jason Downing Spring Lake Fire Department
Sean Edson Oakhurst Fire Company
Benjamin Espada Aberdeen Hose & Chemical #1
Jason Henry Allenhurst Fire Department
Thomas Kacsmar Glendola Fire Company
Joshua Kolodziej Holmdel Fire Rescue #2
John Kuhlthau Monmouth Beach Fire Company
Mark Mancino Holmdel Fire Rescue #2
Scott Mason Spring Lake Fire Department
Thomas Mayrose Ridgeway Fire Company
Thomas Moran East Freehold Fire Company
Andrew Murray Jr. Keansburg Fire Company #1
Chanin Robilotti Englishtown
Eric Sacks Manalapan Township #1
Henry Sieminski Spring Lake Fire Department
Jake Simon Sea Bright Fire Department
Michael Whittet Gordon's Corner Fire Company
Ryan Woolf-Sanchez Holmdel Fire Rescue #2
Class #93 Firefighter I graduates
Robert Allen Brevent Park Fire Company
Jonathan Arnburg Englishtown
Christian Bailey Keyport Hook & Ladder
Brian Conover Brevent Park Fire Company
Kevin Conover Brevent Park Fire Company
Ambrose Cooper IV Point Pleasant Beach #2
Arthur Eldridge Neptune Fire Department
Steven Fox Hazlet #1
Michael Gregorio Aberdeen Hose & Chemical
Andrew Hagenberg Englishtown
Uri Halle Lakewood #3
John Iorio South Wall Fire & Rescue
Thomas Jeleniewski Northside Engine Company
Dylan LaCugna Englishtown
Michael Lippolis Oceanport Hook & Ladder
Sean Morelli Melrose Hose #1, Sayreville
Donald Morse Fair Haven
Karr Mullen Little Silver Fire Department
Henry Murphy West Long Branch
Robert Murphy Holmdel Fire Rescue #2
Salvatore Nesta IV Hazlet #1
Daniel O'Leary Point Pleasant Beach #2
Christopher Pinto Gordon's Corner
Michael Podolla Morganville Independent
Jarrod Rubin South Wall Fire & Rescue
Michael Samuel Branchport, Long Branch
Joseph Sary Hope Fire Company
Lucas Schanck Hazlet #1
Joseph Sisk Point Pleasant Beach #2
Clayton Smith Little Silver
Steven Steger West Long Branch
Patrick Thomas Morganville Independent
Tom Verrochi Oakhurst
Tyler Whelan East Freehold Fire Company
David Wolf Lakewood Rescue #2
