FDNY celebrates Captain Vernon A. Richard High School Class of 2025

June 27, 2025

The FDNY held a graduation ceremony for the Captain Vernon A. Richard High School for Fire and Life Safety Class of 2025 on Friday, June 27, 2025, at the FDNY Fire Academy on Randall's Island.

"Each year, we continue to graduate students who, like you, are interested in careers in public service and public safety," First Deputy Commissioner Mark Guerra said. "The skills you have learned over these last four years have helped you grow and learn as students and as people. These lessons will prepare you for life after high school."

The 2025 class is the 18th to graduate from the FDNY High School. The graduates successfully completed a rigorous program that emphasizes leadership and strength as core values along with the academic and physical skills necessary for emergency responders. Fourteen of this year's graduates will begin the FDNY Youth EMS Academy on June 30.

The FDNY High School, located in Brooklyn, aims to attract its students to future careers with the FDNY as firefighters, EMTs or paramedics. To date, 108 FDNY Captain Vernon A. Richard High School graduates have been hired by the Department and currently serve as firefighters, EMTs and paramedics.