BLOOMFIELD, Connecticut — As bagpipes played, applause roared and speeches inspired the audience Wednesday afternoon, 52 recruits graduated from the Connecticut Fire Academy at The First Cathedral in Bloomfield.
The members of Class 73 from the Recruit Firefighter Program will now make their way to departments across the state, ranging in location from Willimantic to Greenwich, according to a release on Wednesday from the state’s Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
For 14 weeks, members of Class 73 learned about all that firefighting demands and has to offer. They were trained to deal with hazardous materials and perform rescue techniques, the release said.
Class 73 of the Recruit Firefighter Program graduates from the Connecticut Fire Academy
The release noted that the classmates will join more than 4,000 career firefighters who are already working full-time in Connecticut.
“Why put ourselves through this? We were called to it,” Daniel O’Brien said to his classmates, friends and family members who gathered in Bloomfield on Wednesday, according to the release.
Ronnell Higgins, commissioner of the state’s Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, said that the public should be grateful that there are people willing to listen and ready to respond when the bell rings.
“They will stop what they’re doing, they will grab their gear, and although their hearts may be racing, they will answer the call,” Higgins said in the release.
The new graduates attended the academy after being hired by local departments and will start full-time work soon. For the past several months, they have learned all about what makes firefighting a unique trade, from teamwork and discipline to running into burning buildings, the release said, adding that all firefighters must be in top physical condition.
“We are turning out a top-notch entry-level firefighter,” State Fire Administrator Jeffrey Morrissette said in the release. “We are very proud of the accomplishments of these individual firefighters.”
Veteran firefighters were on hand to share messages such as “Let your love of this job show,” the release said.
Several award winners from Class 73 were announced during Wednesday’s ceremony, as Brock Gee, who will serve in Milford, won The Michael C. Reilly “Hard Charger” Award. Michael Rose, another firefighter who will start work in Milford, left with the William J. DeFord II Health and Fitness Award, and Torrington firefighter Richard Maloney earned the instructor award, the release said.
Rev. Diann Bailey addressed the graduating class as the ceremony closed.
“The best thing an old firefighter can teach a new firefighter is how to be an old firefighter,” Bailey said in the release. “Each one of you is a beloved creation.”
For more information about the academy or Class 73, one can contact DESPP Communications Director Rick Green at Richard.green@ct.gov.
----
Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
----
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
----
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.
