Fire and EMS Promotions and EMS Graduationn

The paramedics take the Oath of Geneva.

Hundreds gathered at LaGuardia Community College on Sept. 16, for a big event – a Fire and EMS promotions ceremony, as well as an EMS graduation.

“Now you’ve all taken the next step up the career ladder, and taking on more responsibility,” said Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano. “I want to thank all the members being promoted today, our fire and EMS officers and our paramedics, for the extraordinary work you do every day.”

The promoted members included three deputy chiefs, 10 captains, five EMS captains, 15 lieutenants and 10 fire marshals. In addition, there were there were five graduates from the paramedic upgrade program and 32 graduates of the paramedic trainee program.

The Fire and EMS officers as well as the graduating paramedics as the ceremony came to a close.

“After the anniversary of 9/11, we needed a little jump start, a little refocusing,” said Chief of Department Edward Kilduff. “Today we have new faces to mix it up, and it’s a really healthy, vibrant thing.”

Among the promotees was Capt. Jason Cascone. After graduating from the Fire Academy, his first day working in the field was Sept. 11, 2001. And he became the FDNY’s youngest lieutenant in 2006 at the age of 27.

Also promoted was Lt. Thomas Tanzosh, who is the son of Deputy Chief William Tanzosh.

The valedictorian of the graduating class was Paramedic Nicholas Harrison.

The diverse group of graduates speaks more than 14 languages, including Spanish, Jamaican Patois, Italian, Russian, Ukrainian, German, Creole, Hindi, Gujarati, Urdu, Punjabi, French, Belarusian and Hebrew.

“I know you will be the leaders of tomorrow,” said Chief of EMS Abdo Nahmod.

PARAMEDIC UPGRADE CLASS #2011-02
EMT-P Francisco Sierra
EMT-P Joel Brathwaite
EMT-P Keshica Byrd
EMT-P Brandy Washington
EMT-P Serreste Barton -Hossanah

PARAMEDIC TRAINEE ORIENTATION PROGRAM CLASS 11-02
Danny Alvarado
Cristina Aponte
Paul Ardizzone
Victor Brathwaite
Artur Broshteyn