ALBANY, NY (05/11/2011)(readMedia)-- State Fire Administrator Floyd A. Madison today announced that 22 probationary career and volunteer firefighters are scheduled to graduate from the Recruit Firefighter Training (RFFT) Program at the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control's Academy of Fire Science in Montour Falls.
The firefighters come from 16 fire departments from across the State and comprise the Academy's 61st RFFT class and will be honored in a ceremony tomorrow.
"The RFFT program is long and arduous but professionally rewarding for students who successfully complete it," Madison said. "I congratulate these 22 firefighters for their hard work and dedication and wish them best in their careers."
The RFFT class is 11 weeks long and includes more than 450 hours of intense training which meets the provisions of the New York State training standard for career probationary and non-permanent firefighters. Graduates of the program receive New York State firefighter certification and also receive national fire service professional qualifications standards certification for Firefighter I, Firefighter II and Hazardous Materials Operations.
The 61st Recruit Firefighter Training Program class is comprised of the following firefighters:
FF Daniel Balling, Jamestown FD (Chautauqua County)
FF Joshua Benson, Jamestown FD (Chautauqua County)
FF Aaron Bonesteel, Kingston FD (Ulster County)
FF James Bucklin, Geneva Fire Department (Ontario County)
FF Anthony Caferro, Lackawanna FD (Erie County)
FF James Caracci, Ridge-Culver FD (Monroe County)
FF Steven Cline (volunteer), Brighton FD (Monroe County)
FF Nicholas Cologero, Kingston FD (Ulster County)
FF Chandler Crosby, Watertown FD (Jefferson County)
FF Dwon Daniels, Niagara Falls FD (Niagara County)
FF Daniel Daugherty, Watertown FD (Jefferson County)
FF Michael Dorgan, (volunteer) Gates FD (Monroe County)
FF Roy Everett, Cortland FD (Cortland County)
FF Mark St. Hilaire, Gates FD (Monroe County)
FF Nicholas Howcraft, Lake Shore FD (Monroe County)
FF Jonathan Kukavica, Lockport FD (Niagara County)
FF John O'Malley, Niagara Falls FD (Niagara County)
FF Kyle Sholl, Jamestown FD (Chautauqua County)
FF Wayne Stuttle, Ithaca Airport FD (Tompkins County)
FF Jeremiah J. VanEvery, Johnstown FD (Fulton County)
FF James Weber, Ridge Road FD (Monroe County)
FF John Zajac, (volunteer) Laurelton FD (Monroe County)
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