HOWELL, NJ – The Monmouth County Fire Academy graduated 46 firefighters from the Firefighter I program this week. Graduates were divided into two classes: Class 104 graduated Jan. 21 and Class 105 graduated Jan. 22.
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.
“Firefighting is more than public service or volunteerism – it is a calling, a way of life. You cannot put a price on it. It is your reputation, your integrity, your life,” Freeholder John P. Curley said in his address to the classes. “Every day from this day forward you are now firefighters. You have earned our respect. On behalf of Monmouth County and the entire Board of Chosen Freeholders, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”
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 Matthew LaVecchia, Class 104 of Gordon’s Corner Fire Company in Manalapan and James Smith, Sr. of the Robertsville Fire Company in Marlboro.
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.”
“By virtue of becoming a volunteer firefighter you have already gone above and beyond the call of duty. Be assured it is not something we forget or take lightly,” said Curley “You all are a credit to Monmouth County and to the towns and people you serve. We salute you and thank you for protecting us.”
Each year thousands of local firefighters receive training at the County Fire Academy. For more information about the County Fire Academy visit www.visitmonmouth.com.
# # #
Firefighter 1 – Class 104
David N. Birchett, Neptune Township Fire Department
Sean A. Brown, Manalapan Fire Department
Jonathan L. Caruso, Freehold Independent Fire Company
Matthew J. Cocuzza, Aberdeen Fire Department
Matthew C. Coleman, Neptune Township Fire Department
Ian G. Davis, Wanamassa Fire Company
Joseph L. DeRocker IV, Wanamassa Fire Company
David K. Fazio, Gordon’s Corner Fire Company
Joshua R. Hansen, Ocean Grove Fire Department
Matthew LaVecchia, Gordon’s Corner Fire Company
Nicholas A. Lozito, Keansburg Fire Department
Sandra M. Lynch, Aberdeen Fire Department
Robert M. Morris, Southard Fire Company
Kristen M. Narciso, Neptune Township Fire Department
Matthew J. Nelson, Morganville Independent Fire Company
Daniel T. O’Grady, Keyport Fire Department
Justin D. Pettit, South Belmar Fire Company
Michael J. Rogers, East Freehold Fire Company
John Roselli, West Long Branch Fire Department
Thomas A. Spuler, Middletown Fire Department
Nicholas R. Walker, Ocean Grove Fire Department
Brian A. Zwickel, Southard Fire Company
Firefighter 1 – Class 105
Harry M. Aumack IV, Keyport Fire Department
Kristopher Bassignana, Englishtown Fire Department
Austin G. Burke, Ramtown Fire Company
Michel D. Chavez, Oakhurst Fire Company
Robert V. Clarizio, Morganville Fire Company
Andrew B. Clay, City of Long Branch
Jessica L. Clayton, Glendola Fire Company
Tim L. Curry, Roosevelt Fire Company
Michael J. Fiorino, Marlboro Fire Department
Rory D. Green, Eatontown Fire Department
Brian M. Haas, Freehold Independent Fire Company
Jamie Jacoby, Colts Neck Fire Department
Anthony J. Kilroy, Keyport Fire Department
Nicholas R. Krauss, Freehold Boro Fire Department
Samuel P. Lopez, Roosevelt Fire Company
Andrew M. Malizioso, Englishtown Fire Department
Nicholas R. Milano, Robertsville Fire Company
Darius B. Newman, Millstone Township Fire Department
Joe A. Ramos, Eatontown Fire Department
Ryan D. Rochelle, Northside Fire Company
James M. Smith, Sr., Robertsville Fire Company
Steven A. Squires, Keansburg Fire Department
John S. Stoya, Englishtown Fire Department
Christopher V. Vitale, Adelphia Fire Company