June 5, 2023
New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray today announced the graduation of 37 new firefighters from the State’s Recruit Firefighter Training program at the Office of Fire Prevention and Control’s Academy of Fire Science in Montour Falls. Graduates come from 17 fire departments across the state, representing the Academy's 87th Recruit Firefighter Training class. The rigorous 15-week residential program provides extensive fire service training in an environment like a full-time fire department. Upon graduation, all the recruits will serve as career firefighters in their respective fire department.
“I extend my hearty congratulations to today’s graduates on their achievement, and I wish them well as they are well-prepared to help protect New Yorkers from fire danger and other emergencies,” Commissioner Bray said. “Training first responders is a core mission of ours and we take great pride in training future firefighters. We are extremely proud of today’s graduates for completing a challenging 15-week residential training program and know they will do an outstanding job protecting the public in the future.”
The Office of Fire Prevention and Control’s Recruit Firefighter Training Program provides basic training for recently hired career firefighters, as well as volunteer firefighters. During the 15-week program, recruits participate in more than 600 hours of training in both classroom and practical settings. Classes focus on areas such as structural, vehicle and flammable liquid firefighting, emergency vehicle operations, hazardous material emergency incident and basic rescue technician operations. Recruits also participate in daily physical fitness training in preparation for the Candidate Physical Ability Test. Upon completion, graduates will have received national certification from the National Board of Fire Service Professional Qualifications in Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Fire and Life Safety Educator I, and Hazardous Materials Operations.
Today’s graduates received training in areas such as operating aerial devices; traffic incident management to keep firefighters safe on roadways; health and safety; firefighter rescue; hazardous materials response, and technical rescue. During the training program, students use iPads to provide them with greater access and flexibility to testing, as well as study materials.
New York State Fire Administrator James B. Cable said, “Congratulations to each firefighter graduating from the Recruit Firefighter Training program as it represents a great accomplishment and an important step forward in their fire service career. The challenges facing the fire service are ever evolving and I encourage each graduate to continue their fire service education and training and never stop learning. The Office of Fire Prevention and Control remains committed to providing effective and safe training in support of New York State’s fire service.”
The following firefighters graduated today from the 87th Recruit Firefighter Training Program:
| Name | Home Fire Department |
| Ronald Kleinbach | Batavia |
| Michael Pfendler | Batavia |
| Gregory MacFarlane | BNIA |
| Andrew Niver | Cortland |
| Nathan Stockwin | Cortland |
| Bryan Heller | DeWitt |
| Matthew Sojda | DeWitt |
| Thomas Kenyon | Fulton |
| Keven Morse | Ithaca |
| Trey Sincock | Ithaca |
| Joshua Henry | Ithaca Airport |
| Ahmed Hassan | Lackawanna |
| Sarah Jackson | Lackawanna |
| Ryan Little | Lackawanna |
| Matthew Bourne | LaGrange |
| Daniel Carr | LaGrange |
| Jacob Rand | LaGrange |
| Daniel Rivera | LaGrange |
| Ryan Arrastia | Lockport |
| Aaron Bair | Lockport |
| Brandon Kuczmarski | Lockport |
| Caleb Spark | Lockport |
| Arati Rudd | Manlius |
| Stephen Clougherty | Niagara Falls |
| Kaylee Ulrich | Niagara Falls |
| Matthew Nalbone | North Tonawanda |
| Cody Minckler | Norwich |
| Anthony Capristo | Oneonta |
| Jack Stanton | Oneonta |
| Tyler Calverase | Oswego |
| Zachery Curtis | Oswego |
| Brian Edwards | Oswego |
| Samantha Parker | Oswego |
| Timothy Shane | Oswego |
| Shaun Tiss | Oswego |
| Anthony Angelo | Tonawanda |
| Matthew Pohzehl | Tonawanda |
The next Recruit Firefighter Training Program at the Academy begins on July 31, 2023.
About the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control
The Office of Fire Prevention and Control delivers a wide breadth of services to firefighters, emergency responders, state and local government agencies, public and private colleges, and the citizens of New York. The office advances public safety through firefighter training, education, fire prevention, investigative, special operations, and technical rescue programs. The delivery of these essential services enables the office to make significant contributions to the safety of all of New York State.
About the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services provides leadership, coordination, and support to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate disasters and other emergencies. For more information, find DHSES on Facebook, on Twitter or visit dhses.ny.gov.