On June 18, 2015, the Mercer County Fire Academy, directed by Mercer County Community College (MCCC) at Dempster Fire Training Center, celebrated the achievements of this latest group to complete the Firefighter Training 1 course on their way to becoming State-certified firefighters.
According to James McCann, the Director of the Fire Academy, the training course includes 180 hours of preparation for the State’s Firefighter 1 examination. All 22 students passed the exam, which is administered the N.J. Division of Fire Safety. They also earned certifications in Haz Mat Awareness and Haz Mat Operations.
The class drew students from 12 fire companies around the region. Graduates include Christopher Aldridge (Prospect Heights Fire Co.), Jacob Barry (East Brunswick Fire Co., District #3), Nicholas Buroczi Jr. (White Horse Fire Co.), Daniel Choi (Princeton Fire Co.), James Collins (Millstone Fire Co.), Nicholas DeThomasis (Lawrence Road Fire Co.), Anthony Forchi (Colonial Fire Co.), Adam Hancikovsky (White Horse Fire Co.), Brigid MacEllis (Slackwood Fire Co.), Mary-Katherine MacEllis (Slackwood Fire Co.), Catherine-Jean Macheda II (Slackwood Fire Co.), Carly Meyers (West Windsor Fire Co.), David Moore (Lawrence Road Fire Co.), John Morreale (Lawrence Road Fire Co.), Ryan Newman (East Brunswick Fire Co., District #3), Anthony O’Cone (West Windsor Fire Co.), Ian Paglia (East Brunswick Fire Co., District #3), Jacob Persing (West Windsor Fire Co.), Ishaan Shah (Princeton Junction Fire Co.), James Teller (Hightstown Fire Co.), Joseph Voacola (West Windsor Fire Co.) and Joseph Zullo III (Hightstown Fire Co.).
Participating in the ceremony were MCCC Dean of Business and Technology Winston Maddox, Mercer County Firemen’s Association President Harvey Bailey and Mercer County Fire Chiefs Association Vice President Dave Burns. Local fire chiefs also attended.
The Hightstown Engine Co. #1 Color Guard presented the country’s colors for the ceremony and the Hamilton Township Professional Firefighters Pipe and Drum Band played during the ceremony.
In addition to directing the Mercer County Fire Academy, MCCC offers an A.A.S. degree in Fire Science Technology, and certificates in Fire Code Enforcement and Fire Officer/Administrator.
