Current training occurs at the Passaic County Public Safety Academy located at 300 Oldham Road, Wayne, NJ. Scroll down to see various classes.
Fire Academy Class 1991
Hiring date was May 7, 1991 - but ceremony was June 16, 1991
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B/C Larry Mazza and Captain Mike Ventimiglia were the Drill Master/Lead Instructors. F/F (at that time, future B/C) Rich Nicholas was the Primary Fire Instructor and several other PFD personnel provided instructional assistance at points along the way.
Class Photo is below - at Madison Avenue Firehouse
Front Row- L-R- Chauncey Brown, Bob Stemmler, Captain Mike Ventimiglia, Chief John Mauro, Mayor Bill Pascrell, Director Bill Dolan, B/C Larry Mazza, Bill Henderson, Brian Mosca, John Alexander
Back Row- L-R- Pedro Garced, Bill Mee, Mike Arbus, Chuck Onorato, Fernando Rodriguez, Alton Dickson, Chris Babcock, Scott Farrar, Ernie Filippelli, Mike Marini, Jim Lucci, Mike Fleming, Paul DiFalco, Marco Manzi
Not visible in photo- Mike Daly
Taking the Oath - Front Row L-R- Alton Dickson, Mike Marini, Ernie Filippelli, Scott Farrar, Bob Stemmler, Mike Arbus, Marco Manzi, Bill Henderson, Pedro Garced, Chuck Onorato
Back Row- L-R- Brian Mosca, Bill Mee, Fernando Rodriguez, Chris Babcock, Mike Daly, Mike Fleming, Chauncey Brown, Jim Lucci, John Alexander, Paul DiFalco
In the front corner is Director Bill Dolan and Capt. Mike Ventimiglia
Back Row- L-R- Brian Mosca, Bill Mee, Fernando Rodriguez, Chris Babcock, Mike Daly, Mike Fleming, Chauncey Brown, Jim Lucci, John Alexander, Paul DiFalco
In the front corner is Director Bill Dolan and Capt. Mike Ventimiglia
Photo Below - Standing L-R: is Chris Babcock, and Jim Lucci. Green shirt on right is Ernie Filippelli. Behind Filippelli with sun glasses is Mike McLean. Kneeling on left is Pedro Garced and kneeling with white hat is Marco Manzi, next to him is Mike Fleming (boots on). The FF with arm around William Henderson (in purple shirt) is Mike Daly. FF to left of guy in bunker pants is Arson Investigator Robert Stemmler. 2nd FF over to the right of Daly is Mike Walter who is the father of Giants football player Victor Cruz
Courtesy BC Chares Onorato
Future DC Mike Fleming and BC Charles Onorato
Fire Academy Class 1995
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Includes future Chief of Department Brian McDermott and Supreme Sacrifice FF Scott Rogow
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Courtesy LC Cruz
Carlos Abreu (future Captain) is at tip of ladder
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Photo below taken by trainee Craig Lauten
View from top of extended aerial ladder
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L-R: Junior Powell Paul Lauer, Chris Tice, Matt Ganci.
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Hector Almeyda (future BC) and Bryan McDermott (future Chief of Department).
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Paul Lauer, Bryan McDermott and Dante Destefano (future Captain).
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Click on photo below to enlarge
Aerial Ladder Drill
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Dave Coughlin
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Class 1996: Appointed January 8, 1996 "The Frozen 20" First day on job was delayed by a massive snow storm
John Botero, John Bradle, Sal Brigati, Jackson Brock, Frank Calamita, Mike Caposella (provisional), Ian Damiano, Ron Fortino, R (Cameron) Gardner, Manuel Gonzalez, M Hyman, Tom Hogan, Larry Kirwin, Pete Lobosco, Angelo Marzella, George Perez, Ascary Rios, Michael Robinson and Larry Rodriquez
Class 1998: 7th Fire Academy Graduation (September 11, 1998) Class Started July 20, 1998
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Graduation photo: L-R Top R. Nicholas, R. Parades, J. Sanchez, K. Beekman, K. Eickhorst, A. Ricciardi, W. Bucher Jr., S. D’Arco, F. Liscio, A. Myers, G. Behnke, Captain McDaniels
L-R Bottom: F. Defrancesco, D. Nijm, S. Joyner, T. Johnson, P. Del Valle, M. Gallo, A. Camal, A. Narvaez, L. Roman
L-R Bottom: F. Defrancesco, D. Nijm, S. Joyner, T. Johnson, P. Del Valle, M. Gallo, A. Camal, A. Narvaez, L. Roman
Courtesy Keith Eickhorst
Courtesy Keith Eickhorst
Fire Academy Class of 2001-01
Chief James Pasquariello in center - Garret Mountain
September 10, 2001: Mayor Barnes swears in new class - Front row (L-R) - Chris Huber, Mike Hall, Demetrius Davis, Ceasar Collazo
Chris Huber, Mike Hall, Demetrius Davis, Ceasar Collazo, Kevin Evans - Herald September 11, 2001 courtesy Dennis Morrison
November 20, 2011 - Herald courtesy Dennis Morrison
Fire Academy Class of 2003
Fire Academy Class of 2006 - 2
Fire Academy Class of 2010:
Fire Academy Class of 2012:
Courtesy of D/C Bruce Vander Voort
Class of 2013:
Courtesy of D/C Bruce Vander Voort
September 23, 2013
Rolando Christmas
Matt Campagna,
Domenico Brigati,
Justin Arthur,
Carlos Alejo (later went to Sheriff's office) - September 24 Herald
Fire Academy Class 2016-1: Started October 5, 2015 and graduated January 25, 2016. Photo show is below (either click or hold cursor over eas of the smaller photos for the legend). The photos with the turnout gear were taken at a live burn event at Passaic Fire Headquarters
Class Photo with Deputy Chief Hancock with Ret. DC Bruce Vander Voort (Lead Fire Instructor) & Ret. D/C Jack Duffy (Lead EMT Instructor)
Fire Academy Class of 2016-2: the firefighters were hired February 8, 2016 and they graduated on May 27, 2016. The first two photos show Chief Michael Postorino and DC Kevin Hancock receiving a plaque from the class being represented by their president Josue Lopez. The second photo is the men taking their oath at Fire Headquarters. The rest are photos during the intense training period.
Class 2017 - 1 Ceremony November 20, 2017
Class Members: David Mitchell Jr., Elvin Paulino, Luis Salerna Jr., John Mulronny, Ryan Stoeckle, Chad Boonstra, Michael Piccoli, Nicholas Perez, Devin McGowan, Kevin Behnke, Zach Panzarella, Gregory Gourley, Justin Torres, Joseph Desomma, John Platt, Frank C Crampton Sr., Scott Mathews, Kenneth Hicks, Trevor Foudy, Kevin Rice, Angel Parrilla, James Benfatti, Dane Kirwin, Kyle Mizdol, Matthew Alcala
Class Members: David Mitchell Jr., Elvin Paulino, Luis Salerna Jr., John Mulronny, Ryan Stoeckle, Chad Boonstra, Michael Piccoli, Nicholas Perez, Devin McGowan, Kevin Behnke, Zach Panzarella, Gregory Gourley, Justin Torres, Joseph Desomma, John Platt, Frank C Crampton Sr., Scott Mathews, Kenneth Hicks, Trevor Foudy, Kevin Rice, Angel Parrilla, James Benfatti, Dane Kirwin, Kyle Mizdol, Matthew Alcala
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Class of 2017 - 2 Ceremony November 21, 2017
Class members: Matthew Alcala, Kevin Behnke, James Benfatti, Chad Boonstra, Frank Crampton, Joseph DeSomma, Trevor Foudy, Gregory Gourley, Kenneth Hicks, Dane Kirwin, Scott Mathews, Devin McGowan, David Mitchell, Kyle Mizdol, John Mulroony, Zach Panzarella, Angel Parrilla, Elvin Paulino, Nicholas Perez, Michael Piccoli, John Platt, Kevin Rice, Luis Salerna Jr., Ryan Stoeckle, Justin Torres
Click on photos below for ID of the men (courtesy Joe DeSoma)
Ceremony November 21, 2017 Class 2
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Mayor Jane E Williams Warren with DC K Hancock & Chef M Postorino
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Congressman Pascrell
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Father Patrick Ryan with DC Hancock & McDermott in background
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Class Leaders Frank Crampton and David Mitchell
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Cass leaders with DCs in background
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Plaque presented to Chef Postorino and DC Hancock
Honor Guard led by Captain Scott Parkin
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Fire Academy Instructor Chris Mandeville (ret. FDNY) formally presents the 2017-1 Academy Class, “ready-for-duty” to Chief Postorino.
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Taking the FF Oath
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Preparing to recite chant (called "28, Loud and Proud")honoring the 28 Paterson FF who have made the Supreme sacrifice
Video of the "28, Loud and Proud" chant by the new group of twenty five new Paterson FF as they were being appointed. They refer to themselves collectively as "25 for Life" as seen on the plaque below (5 squads of 5 FF each). In the video Academy Instructor Chris Mandeville in true military style, loudly shouts out the name of each of the Paterson FF who have made the Supreme Sacrifice (died in the line of duty) - the new FF in precise unison then repeat the departed heroes rank and name and say "PRESENT". At the conclusion, Instructor Mandeville turns to Chief Postorino and declares the class fit for duty. Everyone who was present describes this as to be extremely moving.
FULL SCREEN VIEW: CLICK ENLARGE IN ARROW LOWER RIGHT CORNER
Fire Recruit Kevin Behnke, son of Ret. BC Thomas Behnke, receiving badge from Chief Postorino & DC Hancock
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Fire Recruit Kenneth Hicks receiving his badge. DC McDermott, Chief Postorino & DC K Hancock. DC McDermott at far left
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Fire Recruit Matthew Alcala (brother of current FF Daniel Alcala)
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Fire Recruit John P. Platt (grandson of Ret. FF John Platt & nephew of Ret. Capt. Richard Platt)
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Academy Staff (L-R) Ret. DC John Riker (Newark FD), Ret. DC Bruce Vander Voort (Paterson FD), Fire Academy Director Al Evangalista, & Capt. James Bonelli (Passaic FD).
Below are various Class Plaques presented to the Paterson Fire Department - Displayed at McBride Avenue Firehouse and also Training academy
2005 Spring
Class of 2005 - Fall - Courtesy Michael Mauro
2007 Class 3
2008
Class of 2013
Class of 2015-2016
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Class of 2016
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Class of 2017 - Photo courtesy Chief Bruce Vander Voort
Class 2017 - Plaque at Headquarters
July 2, 2020: ceremony at Headquarters introducing new Academy Class
August 16, 2021: 23 new firefighters sworn in- Class 2021-01
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Class President Matthew Abreu
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August 15, 2022: Fire Academy Class of 2022 attended the EMS academy from June until July where they were certified as EMTs. Another woman FF (the 11th) enters service
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Devin Anderson
Amanda Dakake Jared Dolak John Gonzalo Sean Oates |
Eddie Quinones
Jason Rivera Jonathan Sanchez Kyle Turner |
L-R - Academy instructor Chris Mandeville, Kyle Turner, Devin Anderson, Amanda Dakake, Jayson Rivera, Chief Brian McDermott, Jonathan Sanchez, Jared Dolak, Eddie Quinones, John Gonzalo, Sean Oates, and DC Jason Macones
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Presentation of Class Plaque to Chief Officers by new FF Jarod Dolak
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FF Amanda Dakake
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