Annual Graduation

The Suffolk County Fire Academy held its 4th  Annual Graduation for the graduates of the Firefighter I program for 2010-2011. 135 Students and approximately 350 family members and fellow firefighters attended the ceremony. Also in attendance were State Senators Lee Zeldin and Ken LaValle and representatives from the County, Town, and Fire Service organizations.

Executive Director Chief Richard Stockinger opened the ceremony as the graduates were led into the area by the color guard from the Mastic Fire Department and the bagpipes of the Peconic War Pipes.

Each of the new recruits completed the fire service’s basic training program known as Firefighter I. The program includes
107 hours of classroom instruction, as well as hands on skills training. A total of 482 students completed the program in
2010-2011 and will help staff the 109 volunteer fire departments that serve Suffolk County.

Vocational Board President William Sanok offered congratulations from the members of the Vocational Education and Extension Board, which oversees operations at the Suffolk County Fire Academy. He spoke about the importance and benefits of the Suffolk County Volunteer Fire Service and the importance of continuing training.

Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services, Mr. John Searing, challenged the graduates to make safety a priority. All of the public officials who attended the graduation praised these new firefighters for their efforts in beginning their careers as volunteers here in Suffolk County.