For Immediate Release:
July 8, 2016
Monmouth County Fire Academy graduates 33
Firefighters from Monmouth and Middlesex counties
HOWELL, NJ – The Monmouth County Fire Academy graduated 33 firefighters from the Firefighter I program on June 21 at the Fire Academy on Route 33.
The first-time firefighter graduates of Class 110 and Class 111 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 a noble form of public service that is integral to the safety of our communities,” Freeholder John P. Curley said in his address to the combined classes. “You have stepped forward to serve others, and save lives. It makes me proud to hear that so many people come up to you, our firefighters, and thank you for saving their lives and their property.”
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 James C. Lorusso, Class 110 of Belmar Fire Department and Henry M. Haligowski, Class 111 of Applegarth Fire Company in Monroe. For their respective graduating classes, Lorusso and Haligowski 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 County and Middlesex County.
“I am very proud of these two classes of firefighters graduating from this academy this week,” Stout said. “I am confident that that each firefighter will go on to serve his community well. They have completed the best training available from highly qualified instructors.”
The ceremony also marked the final Firefighter I graduation for Fire Academy Director Armand Guzzi. A career firefighter, Guzzi has been an instructor at the Academy since 1987, lead the Firefighter I program since 1984 and he has been the Academy Director since 2012. Guzzi will retire on June 30.
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.
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*A list of graduate from each class is attached.
Firefighter 1 – Class 110
Michael Caracciolo, Robertsville Fire Company
Samuel J. Crowell, Shark River Hills Fire Company
Francis J. DeBlasi, Jr., Morganville Fire Company
Steven M. Delcastillo, Freewood Acres Fire Company
Connor P. Flynn, Englishtown Fire Department
Jesse C. Jarosz, Robertsville Fire Company
Allie M. Klimasz, Freewood Acres Fire Company
Kevin P. Knecht, Colts Neck Fire Department
Ian R. Litchfield, Freewood Acres Fire Company
James C. Lorusso, Belmar Fire Department
Dominick Lorusso, Belmar Fire Department
Victor L. Lorusso, Belmar Fire Department
Brian C. Lowther, Keyport Fire Department
Patrick M. O’Brien, Cliffwood Fire Company
Mitchell V. Trabb, Englishtown Fire Department
John S. Turi, Morganville Fire Company
Tom E. Turi, Morganville Fire Company
James A. Velez, Robertsville Fire Company
Maximillian A. Von Sauers, Freehold Fire Department
Greg S. Young, Spring Lake Fire Department
Firefighter 1 – Class 111
Jonathan L. Alves, Long Branch Fire Department
Daniel J. Gaul, Ramtown Fire Company
Daniel A. Gregorio, Colts Neck Fire Department
Henry M. Haligowski, Applegarth Fire Company
Robert J. Kelly, Marlboro Fire Company
Patrick D. Mannion, Oakhurst Fire Company
Mark T. Morris, Jr., Eatontown Fire Department
Robert E. Roxey, Deal Fire Company
Zachary G. Sappah, Keyport Fire Department
Jayson C. Sprague, Ocean Grove Fire Department
Michael A. Viggiano, Gordons Corner Fire Company
Brian M. Washakowski, Monmouth Beach Fire Department
Maurice V. Willis, Eatontown Fire Department