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265 Probationary Firefighters Graduate from the Academy

265 Probationary Firefighters Graduate from the Academy

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta presided over a graduation ceremony for 265 probationary firefighters at Queens College on July 31.

“The paths that led you here are different, but you made the same bold, courageous pledge to protect the citizens of New York, and for that we are grateful,” said Mayor Bloomberg.

The graduating class was the first to complete an 18-week training program at the Fire Academy on Randall’s Island. They received five additional weeks of training in the unprecedented expansion of firefighter school. The class that starts in August will spend 23 weeks in training.

“You are joining the greatest fire department in the world and you are already among the best trained,” said Commissioner Scoppetta.

The graduates included 19 veterans of the US military, four of whom served in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“You are joining the finest members of fire service in the world,” said Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano. “And the Fire Department camaraderie will stay with you for the rest of your life.”

Also among the graduates was Probationary Firefighter Stuart Ingram, whose father is Battalion Chief Robert Ingram of the FDNY Center for Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness.

Before joining the Department, Probationary Firefighter Ingram served as an NYPD police officer. He made headlines when he arrested a man who stabbed him in the chest; fortunately his life was spared when the knife struck the police shield on his uniform.

The class valedictorian was Probationary Firefighter Sean Denigris, the salutatorian was Probationary Firefighter Michael Padula and the Physical Fitness Award was given to Probationary Firefigher Recordo Demetrius.

“We are what we repeatedly do,” said Probationary Firefighter Denigris. “Excellence is not an act, it’s a habit.”

While at the Academy, the class raised money for the family of Lt. James Brennan, Executive Officer at the school whose wife was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. In a show of support, all of the probationary firefighters also wore pink ribbons during the graduation ceremony.

The graduates included: