MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND FIRE COMMISSIONER
NICHOLAS SCOPPETTA PRESIDE AT LARGEST “PROBY” GRADUATION
IN FDNY HISTORY
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Fire Commissioner
Nicholas Scoppetta today presided over a graduation ceremony
for 346 Probationary Firefighters, the largest group to ever
graduate the FDNY Fire Academy. The new Firefighters, or “Probies,”
have successfully completed the rigorous 13-week training
program at the FDNY Training Facility located on Randall’s
Island, designed to prepare them for the many challenges that
lie ahead. Several hundred family members and friends of the
graduating class joined the Mayor and Commissioner at the
ceremony at Brooklyn College.
“After months of comprehensive and intense training,
these new Firefighters are joining the ranks of the most elite
fire department in the world,” Mayor Bloomberg said.
“The FDNY and its members protect this City with courage,
dignity and excellence. I am confident that today’s
graduates, who are joining the best-equipped and trained fire
department ever, will selflessly serve their fellow New Yorkers
with the professionalism that typifies the FDNY.”
“I want to congratulate each of the 346 graduates
here today. You have completed your training at the Rock and
are now entering the field as firefighters,” said Commissioner
Scoppetta. “Although your time at the training academy
is complete, your education has just begun. Each day you are
in the firehouse, you will build upon the foundation provided
by your instructors. Continue the focus and dedication as
you serve the people of the City of New York.”
While at the Fire Academy, the “Probies” learned
firefighting techniques such as basic engine and truck operation,
fire suppression and containment, and also received Haz-Mat
and Terror Awareness training. This was the first class to
train at the academy using the new $45 million state-of-the-art
fire training facility. The renovation includes a 6,000 square
foot Burn Building, a 35,000 square foot Field House containing
a fire-fighting simulator and a 35,000 square foot Learning
Center. The new firefighters will now be assigned to firehouses
throughout the City to complete their one-year probationary
period under the guidance of senior firefighters and officers.
Probationary Firefighter Christopher Hyden earned the honor
of class valedictorian, and Probationary Firefighters Brian
Cavanagh and James Sabol earned the honor of class salutatorian.
Probationary Firefighter Anthony Weit earned the Physical
Fitness Award. In keeping with tradition, the class also presented
a check to FDNY Chief of Training Nicholas Santangelo to be
donated to the Thomas Elsasser Scholarship Fund, a fund that
assists the families of firefighters that die while not in
the line of duty.
Contact: Francis X. Gribbon (FDNY) (718)
999-2056
Edward Skyler / Jordan Barowitz (212) 788-2958
http://www.nyc.gov/fdny
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