O’Mara, Palmesano and Friend congratulate local graduates of firefighter training program: Praise graduates as among ‘bravest and finest’

Montour Falls, N.Y., May 11—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) and Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) today congratulated all of the 57 graduates from New York State’s 75th Recruit Firefighter Training Program and singled out for special recognition eight local graduates from the Corning and Elmira fire departments.

In all, this year’s statewide class of 57 is the largest-ever graduating class from the 11-week training program annually conducted at the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control's Academy of Fire Science in Montour Falls.  They represent 24 fire departments statewide.   

In a joint statement, O’Mara, Palmesano and Friend said, “Congratulations to our local graduates and to all of the firefighters who have successfully completed this intensive training.  The Fire Academy does incredible work at preparing firefighters for a dangerous and demanding job protecting lives and property throughout our communities.  These graduates are now among New York’s bravest and finest firefighters, and we are grateful for their commitment and service.”

The Recruit Firefighter Training Program encompasses more than 500 hours of intense training that exceeds the state’s minimum standards for firefighters. Graduates also earn national certification in Firefighter I, Firefighter II and Hazardous Materials Operations. They received skills training in many areas of firefighting including emergency vehicle and pump operation, flammable gas firefighting, basic rescue technician skills and foundational firefighting training and operations.

O’Mara and Palmesano congratulated and praised the following local graduates:

> Jeffrey Robinson, Corning Fire Department;

> Christopher Willis, Corning Fire Department;

> Gordon J. Austin, Elmira Fire Department;

> Chris W. Bernal, Elmira Fire Department;

> Tyler A. Crater, Elmira Fire Department;

> Jack T. Eagen, Elmira Fire Department;

> Mackenzie Fuller-Sincock, Elmira Fire Department; and

Logan D. Westervelt, Elmira Fire Department.