New Firefighters Graduate from The Westchester County Career Fire Chiefs Firefighters Academy
Thirty-five recruits from 12 fire departments in Westchester and beyond graduated last month from the Westchester County Career Fire Chiefs Firefighters Academy.
The new firefighters are going to work for nine departments in Westchester, two in Dutchess, and one in Orange. They were awarded their certificates before a packed house at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center in New Castle.
Deputy County Executive Joan McDonald congratulated the graduates for successfully completing the rigorous academic and physical demands of their Academy training. She noted that firefighters need a broad range of skills to handle incidents ranging from building fires to hazardous materials to rescue and recovery efforts following severe storms.
McDonald said, “To Class 01-2026, best of luck to you as you make you way in this demanding, rewarding and noble profession you have chosen. On behalf of County Executive Jenkins, I wish all of you long, safe and successful careers.”
She also thanked the career chiefs, Academy commanding officers, Academy instructors, and staff from the Department of Emergency Services for preparing the new firefighters for the challenges ahead.
Other speakers who lauded the graduates were DES Commissioner Susan Spear; Fairview Fire Chief Howard Reiss and Eastchester Fire Department Lt. Dominick DiRienzo, who served as one of the Academy’s commanding officers.
The local graduates and their departments are: Eastchester: Kevin Lee; New Rochelle: Michael Acocella, Rameek Boyd, Lonnie Jones, Anthony Petrone; Pelham: Anthony Romano; and Scarsdale.