Three local fire departments had participants
GOSHEN – Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus attended the County’s Firefighter 1 graduation ceremony on January 7 at the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center. He was joined at the graduation by District Attorney David Hoovler, Sheriff Paul Arteta, County Clerk Kelly Eskew and Commissioner of Emergency Services Brendan Casey.
Among the graduates were:
Fort Montgomery Fire Department: firefighter Anthony Farina.
Highland Falls Fire Department: Joe Lennon
Cornwall-on-Hudson Fire Department Storm King Engine: Jacqueline Dolan and John Ortiz
“I was glad to recognize and congratulate these brave men and women,” said Neuhaus, a past graduate of the program. “We appreciate their commitment to public service and their willingness to risk their own lives to save others. It takes a special person to become a firefighter and I commend the graduates, along with the training instructors, participating fire departments, and their friends and families on being a part of this impressive achievement.”
The six Firefighter 1 graduating classes consisted of 106 residents from various county fire departments. Firefighter 1 is a comprehensive and intensive introductory course required to become an Interior Firefighter.
The course is comprised of 129 classroom hours and additional take home assignments. Courses were taught by Orange County Fire Instructors at the County’s Fire Training Center in New Hampton and entailed lectures and hands on training sessions.
County residents interested in becoming volunteer firefighters, can contact the County’s Division of Fire Services at fireservices@orangecountygov.com; or their local fire department.
