For Immediate Release:
June 27, 2014
Monmouth County Fire Academy graduates 38
HOWELL, NJ – The Monmouth County Fire Academy graduated 38 firefighters from the Firefighter I program this week. Graduates were divided into two classes: Class 102 graduated June 24 and Class 103 graduated June 25. Both ceremonies were held at the Fire Academy on Route 33.
Graduates worked 188 hours over 30 sessions and received training in rescue, fire extinguishment, hazardous materials response, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, electrical safety, and care of hoses, ladders and other equipment. 
“Tonight, you become members of one of American’s greatest creations – organized firefighting,” Freeholder John P. Curley said in his address to the classes. “You will answer the call and place your lives on the line to save someone else’s life and property, because that is what you are trained to do. And you received the best training available from the instructors at this Academy.”
A graduate from each class earned an award in honor of Ronald Fitzpatrick, a former instructor at the Fire Academy who died in 2003. The awards went to Robert M. Ryan, Class 102 of the Spring Lake Fire Company #2, John H. Harold, Class 103 of the Englishtown Fire Company.
Monmouth County Fire Marshal Henry Stryker III congratulated the graduates and urged them to continue their training with advanced courses offered at the Fire Academy.
“It takes a special type of person to be a firefighter,” Stryker said. “They have to have a passion to do this job. The graduates sitting before us have that passion because they have completed the rigorous training as their first step. Please be safe.” 
“By virtue of becoming a volunteer firefighter you have already gone above and beyond the call of duty. Be assured it is not something we forget or take lightly,” said Curley “You all are a credit to Monmouth County and to the towns and people you serve. We salute you and thank you for protecting us.”
Each year thousands of local firefighters receive training at the County Fire Academy. Applications for the August 2014 Firefighter I class are now being accepted.
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Firefighter 1 – Class 102
Jason F. Ackerman Long Branch Fire Department
Theodore N. Apostle East Freehold Fire Company
Nick A. Badamo Freehold Fire Department
Joseph R. Blewett II Highlands Fire Department
John P. Boles Spring Lake Fire Company #2
Terrell M. Jones Eatontown Fire Department
Mark E. Liddick Ocean Grove Fire Department
Ken M. Markakis Eatontown Fire Department
Connor J. McGrath Highlands Fire Department
Zachary G. Neis Northside Fire Company
Anthony Panzarino East Freehold Fire Company
David F. Pearse Wanamassa Fire Company
Paul G. Petner New Point Comfort Fire Company
Robert M. Ryan Spring Lake Fire Company #2
Kelley M. Temple Freehold Independent Fire Company
Willam R. Varley Allenhurst Fire Company
Firefighter 1 – Class 103
Alex K. Baron Eatontown Fire Department
Zach K. Bell Oakhurst Fire Company
Antonio C. Cavezza Oakhurst Fire Company
James J. Clarke Millhurst Fire Company
James J. Donahue Freewood Acres Fire Company
John H. Harold Englishtown Fire Company
Alexander T. Heimbuch West Long Branch Fire Department
Walter R. Kain Aberdeen Fire Department
Edward T. Kirschner Union Beach Fire Department
Justin Lenart Roosevelt Fire Company
Adam F. Lerner Freewood Acres Fire Company
Alexander D. Mabe Keyport Fire Department
Peter J. Maresma Millhurst Fire Company
Matthew Milich Freewood Acres Fire Company
Patrick J. Padgett Brielle Fire Company
Brendan E. Powers Roosevelt Fire Company
Christopher B. Sarambo Neptune City Fire Department
John B. Schambach Brielle Fire Company
John G. Sorrentino Sandy Hook Fire Department
George F. Stillwell Hope Fire Company
Charles Trucillo Keyport Fire Department
Matthew V. Zarelli Brielle Fire Company