Two Firefighters Graduate From Firefighter Training Program For City of Cortland Fire Department

There were 38 new firefighters who graduated from New York State’s Recruit Firefighter Training program at the Office of Fire Prevention and Control’s Academy of Fire Science in Montour Falls on November 7th.

It was the 90th Recruit Firefighter Training class held with graduates coming from 11 fire departments throughout the state, including the City of Cortland Fire Department, who had 2 graduates. The program is a 15 week residential program with extensive fire service training in an environment similar to that of a full-time fire department. All 38 graduates will now serve as career firefighters in their respective departments.

“Congratulations to the graduates of the 90th Recruit Firefighter training class,” Commissioner Bray said. “You join the thousands of firefighters across New York State who risk their lives day in and day out to protect New Yorkers from fire danger and other emergencies. Thank you for your commitment to public safety and your service to your local communities. I wish all of the graduates godspeed as career firefighters in the fire service.”

The training includes over 600 hours in both classroom and practical sessions. The classes focus on areas structural, vehicle, and flammable liquid firefighting, emergency vehicle operations, hazardous material emergency incident and basic rescue technician operations.

The two firefighters who will now serve as career firefighters with the City of Cortland Fire Department are Corey McNaughton and Joshua Prince. 

“Congratulations to each of the firefighters graduating from the Recruit Firefighter Training program.  It represents an important step which lays the foundation for their career in the fire service.  As the challenges facing the fire service are ever evolving, I encourage them to continue to seek out and take advantage of opportunities to further their fire service education and training.”

New York State Fire Administrator James B. Cable said in a release.

The graduates have received from their extensive training national certification from the National Board of Fire Service Professional Qualifications in Firefighter 1, and 2, and Hazardous Materials Operations. They also received completion in almost 30 courses that are offered by the Office of Fire Prevention and Control.