CHAPPAQUA, NY — Say 'hello' to the newest helpers to look for in your neighborhood.
Thirty-five recruits from 12 fire departments in Westchester and nearby counties graduated Thursday from the Westchester County Career Fire Chiefs Firefighters Academy. The new firefighters will go to work for nine departments in Westchester, two in Dutchess and one in Orange.
The graduates received their certificates before a packed house at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center. Deputy County Executive Joan McDonald congratulated the class for completing what the county described as rigorous academic and physical training at the academy.
McDonald said firefighters need a broad range of skills to respond to incidents that can include building fires, hazardous materials, and rescue and recovery efforts after severe storms.
"To Class 01-2026, best of luck to you as you make you way in this demanding, rewarding and noble profession you have chosen," McDonald said in remarks to the graduating class. "On behalf of County Executive Jenkins, I wish all of you long, safe and successful careers."
McDonald also thanked career chiefs, academy commanding officers, academy instructors and Department of Emergency Services staff for preparing the recruits for the work ahead, according to the county. Other speakers at the ceremony were Department of Emergency Services Commissioner Susan Spear, Fairview Fire Chief Howard Reiss and Eastchester Fire Department Lt. Dominick DiRienzo, who served as one of the academy’s commanding officers.
The graduates and their departments are Arlington: Steven Halderman, Zachary Jones and William Lacovara; Eastchester: Kevin Lee; Greenville: Dylan O’Brien, Patrick Prendergast and Samuel Shedden; Lake Mohegan: Paul Cirillo, Nicholas Colello, Samuel Guida, Nicholas Rubeo and Jacob Tussel; Mount Vernon: Justin Cales-Bookman, Ronald Miller, Justin Wallace and Curtis Wright; Newburgh: Robert Sampson, Thien Truong and Stephan Tyler; New Rochelle: Michael Acocella, Rameek Boyd, Lonnie Jones and Anthony Petrone; Pelham: Anthony Romano; Poughkeepsie: Riley Carroll; Rye: Jeffrey Fernandes; Scarsdale: John Madera; White Plains: Joseph Carrier, Paul Clarke, Nicholas Constantino, Nolan Constantino, Michael DeRenzis, Nazir Hibbert, Christos Siapanides and Alexander Siapanides.
The ceremony marked the end of academy training and the start of service in their assigned departments.
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