Poughkeepsie…Twenty-nine Dutchess County volunteer firefighters, representing 12 local fire departments, were recognized last night by the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control at a graduation ceremony held at Dutchess Community College in the Town of Poughkeepsie. The firefighters, ranging in age from 16 to 50 years old, completed the spring 2016 Firefighter I program, a basic training course for new volunteer firefighters in New York State. The part-time program consists of 35 separate sessions, totaling 104 hours of training over a three-month period.
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “I join with our Department of Emergency Response, the training instructors, participating fire departments, and friends and family, in congratulating the most recent graduates of the Firefighter I program. Dutchess County’s 29 newest firefighters will undoubtedly sacrifice time away from their families and loved ones as part of their service to the residents of Dutchess County. We extend our thanks and gratitude to these brave men and women for choosing the road less traveled in order to safeguard and protect our community.”
The Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response coordinates firefighter training programs on behalf of New York State and ensures the use of appropriate training facilities and administrative functions associated with the trainings.
“I commend our most recent graduates of the Firefighter I training program and their instructors. These brave men and women are the ones that will answer the call of duty to rescue others from a burning building and provide life-saving services during emergencies. We thank you for your commitment and dedication to your community,” said Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Response Dana Smith.
Graduates (Fire Department)
Peter Knickerbocker (Arlington)
Joseph Ramos (Arlington)
Arthur Seckler (Chelsea)
Michael Cicero (East Fishkill)
Aaron Emmett (East Fishkill)
Anthony Federici (East Fishkill)
Peter Lacalamita (East Fishkill)
Joseph Oakes (East Fishkill)
Matthew Segnit (East Fishkill)
Stephen Storms (East Fishkill)
Jason Velez (East Fishkill)
Mason Werner (East Fishkill)
Michael Acosta (Hughsonville)
Matthew Messina (Hughsonville)
Andrew Heaney (Millbrook)
Timothy Race (Millbrook)
Philippe Afron (New Hamburg)
Kenneth Bastian (Pleasant Valley)
Taylor Craig (Pleasant Valley)
William Littman (Pleasant Valley)
Trevor Owen (Pleasant Valley)
Donna Cisek (Roosevelt)
Brad Goldhammer (Roosevelt)
Samantha Lowe (Roosevelt)
Andrew McArthur (Village of Fishkill)
Joseph Krieger (Wappingers)
Kayla Jaouen (Wassaic)
James Valentine (Wassaic)
Joshua Martin (West Clinton)
Lead Instructors
Carl Quaglino
Thomas Murphy