For Immediate Release:
January 16, 2014
Monmouth County Fire Academy graduates 42
HOWELL, NJ – The Monmouth County Fire Academy graduated 42 firefighters from the Firefighter I program this week. Graduates were divided into two classes: Class 100 graduated Jan. 14 and Class 101 graduated Jan. 15. Both ceremonies were held at the Fire Academy on Route 33.
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. 
“Tonight, you become members of one of American’s greatest creations – organized firefighting,” Freeholder John P. Curley said in his address to the classes. “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. And you received the best training available from the instructors at this Academy.”
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 Evan D. Tyler, Class 100 of the Shrewsbury Hose Company, and Timothy J. Smigelsky, Class 101 of the Ramtown Fire Company of Howell.
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.
“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 Curley “These firefighter graduates are to be commended for their dedication and willingness to serve.”
Each year thousands of local firefighters receive training at the county Fire Academy. Applications for the September 2014 Firefighter I class are now being accepted.
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Firefighter 1 – Class 100
Spencer T. Arnold Manasquan Fire Department
Matthew J. Buttermark East Freehold Fire Company
Michael J. Cook Belmar Fire Department
Douglas E. Granai West Keansburg Fire Company
Milton Latorres Bradley Beach Fire Department
Anthony A. Malgieri Southard Fire Company
Brendan T. Murch Colts Neck Fire Department
Joseph O. Nappi Morganville Independent Fire Company
Jason P. Neff Tinton Falls Fire Company # 1
Scott A. Nokes Neptune Township Fire Department
Robert J. Pahlck Bradley Beach Fire Department
Joshua P. Prevost Keyport Fire Department
Taylor W. Rounds Freehold Township Independent Fire Company
Anthony F. Santiago Freehold Township Independent Fire Company
Bryan A. Sherer Englishtown Fire Department
Ashley N. Truffa Glendola Fire Company
Brian L. Turner Ocean Grove Fire Department
Evan D. Tyler Shrewsbury Hose Company
Michael T. Ventriglio East Freehold Fire Company
Donald L. Warren West Keansburg Fire Company
Firefighter 1 – Class 101
Michael M. Biyad Colts Neck Fire Department
Michael Christie Ramtown Fire Company
John M. DePinto Adelphia Fire Company
Franklin L. Doremus Neptune Township Fire Department
Kenneth J. Evola Gordon’s Corner Fire Company
Alexander Handel Gordon’s Corner Fire Company
Austin J. Knox Belmar Fire Department
Jonathan Michel Neptune Township Fire Department
Steven J. O’Dwyer Keyport Fire Department
Joseph A. Panzarino East Freehold Fire Company
Joseph D. Rich III Farmingdale Fire Department
Dane M. Richards Jr. Eatontown Fire Department
Neil E. Robinson Millstone Township Fire Company
Dale J. Seitz Adelphia Fire Company
Timothy J. Smigelsky Ramtown Fire Company
Robert Snyder New Point Comfort Fire Company
Sam R. Springsteen Colts Neck Fire Department
Edgardo Valera Belmar Fire Department
Christopher R. Villanueva Millstone Township Fire Company
Kevin Weigert Gordon’s Corner Fire Company
Thomas B. Winemiller Jr. Belmar Fire Department
John M. Zuber Freehold Fire Department