The Monmouth County Fire Academy recently graduated 39 firefighters from the Firefighter I program at the fire academy in Howell. Graduates were divided into two classes: Class 106 and Class 107.
All of the graduating firefighters worked 188 hours over 30 sessions and received training in rescue, fire extinguishment, hazardous materials response, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, electrical safety, and care of hoses, ladders and other equipment, according to a press release from the county.
“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 Freeholders, I thank you.”
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 Ryan Devosa, Class 106, of the Ramtown Fire Company in Howell, and to Justin Lee, Class 107, 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.
The members of Class 106 included Roger A. Boretsky, Morganville Independent Fire Company (Marlboro), Ryan T. Carr, Gordons Corner Fire Company (Manalapan), Ryan A. Devosa, Ramtown Fire Company (Howell), Joseph E. Eadicicco, Ramtown Fire Company (Howell), Shalen A. Shivalkar, Colts Neck Fire Department, and Christopher J. Zmuda, Ramtown Fire Company (Howell).
The members of Class 107 included Thomas J. Coniglio, East Freehold Fire Company (Freehold Township), William M. Harrigan, Marlboro Fire Company, Austin Higgins, Ramtown Fire Company (Howell), Justin D. Lee, Robertsville Fire Company (Marlboro), Joseph D. Piccolo, Marlboro Fire Company, David R. Reiff, Gordons Corner Fire Company (Manalapan) and Sal Santoro, Southard Fire Company (Howell).