Milestone Class Of Newark Firefighters Has Link To Fallen Hero

NEWARK, NJ — The City of Newark recently welcomed 78 new firefighters to its ranks at a public ceremony – the largest class of fire recruits to ever graduate from an academy in New Jersey, officials say.

Last week’s graduation ceremony marked a milestone for the 51st Recruit Class of the Newark Fire Division. It was also a watershed moment for the city, officials said.

“Today, the Newark Department of Public Safety made history as this 51st class of firefighters is the biggest class of fire recruits to ever graduate from an academy statewide,” Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé said.

“Welcoming these 78 men and women into the Newark Fire Division is an important and necessary step in our rapidly growing city,” Fragé continued. “We congratulate each new member and applaud them and their families for shouldering the responsibility of public safety for our neighbors and visitors.”

“These men and women are joining the ranks at an exciting time, as we plan to implement a squad of specially trained firefighters in the coming days,” Mayor Ras Baraka said.

“I trust that some who took their oath of office today will be among this elite team,” the mayor added.

The graduation ceremony was held at the William Mobile Ashby Community Care and Training Center, a newly opened facility that functions as a “shared space” for the community and its first responders. See Related: Newark Cops, Firefighters, Community Will Share New Training Center

MEMORIES OF THE FALLEN

This week’s graduation ceremony also invoked the memories of two Newark firefighters who died while battling a cargo ship fire last summer.

Augusto Acabou, 45, and Wayne Brooks Jr., 49, died from injuries they suffered while fighting a fire at Port Newark. Each was later pronounced dead at University Hospital; federal authorities launched an investigation into the incident earlier this year.

Newark public safety officials noted that the 51st Recruit Class includes two of Acabou’s younger cousins, who will now take up the firefighting mantle in their late family member’s name.

The families of each fallen captain received a standing ovation during last week’s ceremony.

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