194 Probies Wrap Firefighter Training;

Detailed to Firehouses
194 Probies Wrap Firefighter Training


Mayor Bloomberg and Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta presided over a graduation ceremony for 194 Probationary Firefighters Feb. 22 at Brooklyn College's Whitman Hall.

The Chief-Leader/Adrienne Haywood-James CHANGING FACE OF TRADITION: Third-generation rookie Firefighter Maura Fitzsimmons (right) celebrated her graduation from the Fire Academy Feb. 22 with older sister Michele, a Fire Lieutenant. The women patterned their career paths after their grandfather, retired Battalion Chief Michael Fitzsimmons, and their great-grandfather Charles Roth, who joined the FDNY in 1909. Among those joining the FDNY rank-and-file were 23 veterans of the U.S. military, 11 of whom served in Iraq.

Family Ties

Also graduating were Probationary Firefighter Maura Fitzsimmons, a third-generation FDNY member whose Firefighter sister, Michele, was promoted to Lieutenant two weeks ago; Probationary Firefighter Steven Hay, whose father is FDNY Assistant Chief Allen Hay of Safety Command; and third-generation Probationary Firefighter Mark D. Belnavis, son of Battalion Chief John Belnavis, nephew of Uniformed Fire Officers' Association Chief's Representative George Belnavis, and grandson of deceased Fire Lieut. John Belnavis.

Probationary Firefighter Luke Allen's brother, Richard, and Probationary Firefighter Raymond Murphy's father, Raymond Sr., were members of the FDNY when they died during rescue efforts on Sept. 11, 2001.

The Probationary Firefighters graduated after completing the rigorous 13-week program at the FDNY's Training Academy located on Randall's Island.

Mayor Bloomberg said he was proud to welcome the group into the FDNY, "and to tell you we are continuing to make the investments that will keep the FDNY the greatest Fire Department in the world."

He added that "for the past 143 years, New York's Bravest have risked their lives to protect millions of New Yorkers and set the standard in firefighting and rescue operations."

The class included recruits from multiple branches of the armed forces.

Probationary Firefighters Yaniv Amar, Michael Chernyak, Christopher Ford, James Cahill, Timothy Whalen, William Benner, Steven Hay, Godwin Chery, Sean O'Grady, Stephen Marley, Timothy Melia, Nelson Merizalde, and Eric Surbito all served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Navy, Army Vets

Probationary Firefighters Edward Bergen and Matthew Moritz served in the Navy, and Probationary Firefighters Leonard Burgmyer, Rory O'Flaherty, Eric Mussinan, and Ramon Ramos served in the Army.

Probationary Firefighters John Lawton, Shawn Whelan and James Denniston were in the Coast Guard, and Daniel Saalfrank was in the Air Force.

Probationary Firefighters Bergen, Burgmyer, Chernyak, Marley, Melia, Merizalde, Moritz, Mussinan, O'Flaherty, O'Grady and Surbito served part of their time in the military in Iraq.

The Mayor congratulated Probationary Firefighter Kevin McCabe for being the class valedictorian. Probationary Firefighter James DeVito was the class salutatorian. The Physical Fitness Award was given to Probationary Firefighter Thomas Bradley.

Off to Firehouses

The rookies will now be assigned to firehouses throughout the city, where they will gain field experience under the guidance of senior Firefighters and officers.

Other graduates included:

Christopher M. Accatino, Benjamin Acosta, Gregory K. Adams, Dennis A. Aquino, Kevin C. Barrett, Daniel V. Baudille, James H. Bauld, Brian O. Baumeister, Raffaele Bavaro, Matthew B. Bender, John A. Bendick, Daniel C. Bernard, Thomas P. Bloomfield, Steven R. Boss, Daniel R. Boucher, Ryan R. Bourke, Daniel W. Braun, Eugene T. Brennan, Michael D. Bringe;

William K. Brock, Keith J. Burns, Matthew E. Byrne, Michael J. Cariello, Fred A. Carlson, Timothy J. Carroll, Andy Castillo, Jonathan F. Cedo, Dennis H. Chauca, Joseph M. Chidichimo, Nicholas J. Ciano, Philip D. Clapp, William A. Coe, Ryan V. Connell, Christopher T. Connolly, Patrick A. Cook, Jose C. Costa, Brian M. Cox, Anthony M. Crispino, John W. Cummins, Patrick J. Curtin, Ricco N. Deleo, William P. Delmore, Peter D. DeLorenzo, Michael J. Ditaranto, Kevin J. Domanick, Guillermo Domenech III, Peter Duffy, James P. Eisenhauer, Matthew T. Ellsworth, Andrea Fazio, Sean M. Fennessy, Jason F. Fernandez, Richard C. Ferrentino, Raymundo Ferrer, Patrick J. Finegan, Paul J. Fischetti, Patrick R. Fitzgerald, Michael A. Flanagan, Timothy J. Fogarty, Nickolas R. Foligno, Braden M. Forrey;

Michael C. Frattaroli, Kevin P. Frusciante, Michael J. Galvin, Daniel L. Gavrity, Alexander D. Gikas, Thomas Gioeli, Douglas J. Gollogly, Dwayne D. Grant, Kevin P. Kennigan, Christoher R. Hunt, Christopher M. Isola, Brian Jablonski, Keith G. Jackson, George E. Jones, Edward J. Kane, James F. Kearns, Joseph J. Kiesling, Thomas E. Kirrane, Kyle R. Klimkowski, Robert O. Kohlmier, Carl M. Kretkowski, Robert A. Kucher, Bryan M. Kuhn, Matthew E. Kutz;

Robert Lacourt Jr., Domenico LaMattina, Adam G. Lanes, Robert A. Langenbach, Brian M. Lebow, Brian T. Levings, Michael V. Lewis, Scott A. Lobato, Michael J. Lynch, Sean B. Lynch, Christopher P. Mannino, Gregory W. Markowski, Steven G. Marquez, Timothy M. McCarthy, James J. McConville Jr., Jack Medina, John A. Militano, John J. Mola, Kevin M Mongiori, Bryan J. Monti; Christopher M. Morvillo, Gerard A. Mullaney, Mark G. Mullaney, Cletus S. Mullin, Richard C. Mundy, Christopher S. Murphy, Mikael K. Murray, Thomas S. Napolitano, Kevin F. Neafsey, Sean P. O'Doherty, Keiran F. O'Neill, Christopher A. Otto, Carl G. Paccio, Paul A. Pace, Robert A. Perrone, Anthony J. Perrone, Nicholas P. Petino, Justin Phillips, Anthony G. Pio, Daniel J. Quinn;

Richard G. Reicherter, Robert J. Reynolds, Chris J. Rodriguez, Keith P. Rogozinski, Bryon J. Rose, Raymund R. Rosicki, Mark H. Russo, Khalid M. Sabater, Peter J. Santora, John J. Sarnes, Lawrence Scarpa, Christopher J. Schiotis, Michael L. Schneider, Nicholas T. Schneider, Andrew C. Schreiner, Jeffrey T. Scotto, Christopher J. Seaman, Michael L. Seggel, Christopher M. Serra, Michael M. Sheridan, Michael L. Shields, John Sideris, Andrew C. Sinclair;

Thomas C. Slane, Kenneth M. Sleap, Christopher N. Spagnola, Colin Sterr, Kristopher D. Stubbs, Lawrence D. Sullivan, Brian Sylvester, Orlando R. Torres, Mark N. Valcich, Mark Vasconi, Christopher F. Waters, Sean P. Watt, Anthony L. Watts, Josh D. Wynand, Clifford G. Zeilman, and Jonathan T. Ziegler.