Forty-two recruits from 14 fire departments have graduated from the Westchester County Career Fire Chiefs Firefighters Academy. These new firefighters will serve in 10 departments across Westchester, as well as two in Dutchess, one in Orange, and one in Nassau.
The ceremony took place at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center in New Castle. County Executive Ken Jenkins congratulated the graduates for completing their training and acknowledged the contributions of the career chiefs, Academy commanding officers, instructors, and staff from the Department of Emergency Services. He emphasized the diverse skills required by firefighters to manage various incidents.
Jenkins referenced recent challenges faced by firefighters, such as wildfires in Hudson Valley and floodwaters in Texas. “As the recovery effort continues in Texas, please continue to pray for those who have lost loved ones and for all firefighters and first responders serving there,” he stated.
Other speakers included DES Commissioner Susan Spear; Deputy County Executive Richard G. Wishnie; New Rochelle Fire Department Chief Andrew Sandor; and Eastchester Fire Department Lt. Dominick DiRienzo.
The graduates are assigned to departments including Eastchester, Fairview, Harrison, LaGrange, Lake Mohegan, Long Beach, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Newburgh, Peekskill, Pelham, Poughkeepsie, Scarsdale, and White Plains.
