For Immediate Release:

February 3, 2016

Monmouth County Fire Academy graduates 39

Firefighters from Monmouth and Ocean counties

HOWELL, NJ – The Monmouth County Fire Academy graduated 39 firefighters from the Firefighter I program last week at the Fire Academy on Route 33. The first-time firefighter graduates were divided into two classes: Class 108 graduated Jan. 26 and Class 109 graduated Jan. 27.

All of the graduating firefighters 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.”

A graduate from each class earned the Ronald Fitzpatrick Award, named for a former instructor at the Fire Academy who died in the line of duty in 2003.  The awards went to Devon S. Clancy, Class 108 of Sea Girt Fire Department and Michael S. Giacona, Class 109 of Gordon’s Corner Fire Company in Manalapan. For their respective graduating classes, Clancy and Giacone received the highest test scores and attendance records.

Monmouth County Fire Marshal Kevin A. Stout congratulated the graduates and expressed his excitement about watching them go on to serve Monmouth and Ocean County.

“I am so proud of this next generation of firefighters graduating from this academy this week,” Stout said. “I am confident that that each firefighter will go on to serve their communities well having completed the best training available from very qualified instructors serving as the new Monmouth County Fire Marshal.”

“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 and Ocean counties and to the towns and people you serve.”

Firefighter 1 – Class 108

John P. Berbilis,  Wanamassa Fire Company
Armone A. Bocoum,  Neptune Township Fire Department
Devon S. Clancy,  Sea Girt Fire Department
Vincent A. Cucurillo,  Millstone Township Fire Department
Vincent J. Curreri,  Englishtown Fire Department
Keith A. Fisher,  Neptune Township Fire Department
Kevin M. Gubelman,  Aberdeen Fire Department
Stephen T. Haines,  Manalapan Fire Department
Rut P. Lineswala,  Freehold Boro Fire Department
Joseph J. Martucci, Jr.,  Matawan Fire Department
Allison N. McCabe,  Spring Lake Heights Fire Department
Brandon M. Ohmer,  Englishtown Fire Department
James J. Parnell,  Long Branch Fire Department
Anthony Pizzillo,  Manasquan Fire Department
Steven M. Sexton,  Wanamassa Fire Company
Shawna Toomey,  Bay Head Fire Department

Firefighter 1 – Class 109