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MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG
AND FIRE COMMISSIONER NICHOLAS SCOPPETTA PRESIDE OVER GRADUATION
CEREMONY FOR
292 PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTERS
Class is One of the Most
Diverse to Graduate the Fire Academy in Recent History
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Fire Commissioner
Nicholas Scoppetta today presided over a graduation ceremony
for 292 Probationary Firefighters. The new Firefighters,
or "Probies," have
successfully completed the rigorous 12-week training program
at the FDNY Training Academy located on Randall’s Island.
Today's class is one of the most diverse to graduate
the Fire Academy in recent history and four of today’s
graduates are female – the largest number of female
firefighters to graduate the academy in over 20 years. Several
hundred friends and family members joined the Mayor and Commissioner
to congratulate the last class of 2003 at the ceremony held
at Brooklyn College.
"These new firefighters today join a department whose
members protect this City day in and day out with courage,
dignity and excellence," Mayor Bloomberg said. "Twenty-seven
months ago today, the FDNY met its greatest challenge, evacuating
25,000 people from the world trade center with the courage
and professionalism that won admiration from people around
the world. The Department lost 343 men that day, and we honor
them as well by rebuilding this great department in their
memory. The Department is also becoming more diverse, with
20 percent of this class made up of minority graduates. I
congratulate our newest firefighters on becoming New York’s
Bravest and know they will serve the people of New York well."
"I want to congratulate all of the graduates here
today. You have successfully completed the first step in
your careers as firefighters," said Commissioner Scoppetta.
"However, the training does not end here. As you enter the
firehouse,
you take with you the foundation that was built by your instructors
at the Fire Academy. A foundation that you will build upon
each time you are called to serve the people of the City
of New York."
While in training at the Fire Academy, the "Probies" learned
firefighting techniques such as basic engine and truck operations,
fire suppression and containment, hazardous materials training,
and terrorism awareness. The "Probies" will now
be assigned to firehouses throughout the City of New York,
where they will gain field experience under the guidance
of senior firefighters and officers. In keeping with tradition,
the class-donated money to a number of FDNY related charities,
such as the NY Firefighter Burn Center and the FF. James
O’Shea
Memorial Fund.
Probationary Firefighter Thomas J. Bendick earned the honor
of today’s class Valedictorian, and Probationary Firefighter
Joshua H. Potter was the class Salutatorian.
The Physical Fitness Award was given to Probationary Firefighter
Joshua M. Dacosta.
Contact: Edward Skyler / Robert Lawson
(212) 788-2958
Francis X. Gribbon (FDNY) (718) 999-2056
http://www.nyc.gov
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