The Department celebrates the FDNY Captain Vernon A. Richard High School Class of 2026

June 26, 2026

The New York City Fire Department held a graduation ceremony for the FDNY Captain Vernon A. Richard High School for Fire and Life Safety Class of 2026 on Friday, June 26, 2026, at the FDNY Fire Academy on Randall's Island.

The 2026 class is the 19th to graduate from the school. Its curriculum provides a rigorous academic program with a special emphasis on the academic, physical and moral rigors of emergency response with a special focus on emergency medical and firefighting careers. Many graduates from FDNY Captain Vernon A. Richard High School for Fire and Life Safety go on to gain employment at the Fire Department.

Housed in Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn, and part of the City’s small schools initiative, the school is a joint program between the Fire Department and the Department of Education. It's named for FDNY Captain Vernon A. Richard, who was one of the 343 FDNY members who made the Supreme Sacrifice on September 11, 2001.

On behalf of Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore and the entire FDNY, congratulations to the graduates and their families!