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 retired 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