Monmouth fire academy graduates new firefighters HOWELL — A graduation ceremony was held Aug. 23 for 21 firefighters at the Monmouth County Fire Academy, Route 33. According to a press release from the county, the Firefighter I Program Course is a rigorous 112 hours of instruction over a period of 12 days and contains all basic requirements of the New Jersey State Standards and Codes, as related to ladders, safety, hoses, incident command system, search and rescue, hazardous materials, thermal imaging camera, fire prevention and basic EMS needs. There are some 140 fire companies in Monmouth County. The fire academy is a facility provided by the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders to provide state-of-the-art training for firefighters. There is no-cost to the fire companies nor the firefighters. Firefighters from adjoining counties are eligible to attend the academy if their fire companies have a mutual aid agreement with a Monmouth County fire company. The firefighter training program offered through the Monmouth County Fire Academy was developed to provide a means of training students in the arts of firefighting and emergency medical procedures, such as CPR, according to the press release. The purpose of this program is to help increase the ranks of the volunteer fire companies. When the students complete the training they will have qualified for state certification as a firefighter. Freeholder Theodore J. Narozanick was the principal speaker at the graduation ceremonies. He urged the new firefighters to follow in the footsteps of the past and current cadre of firefighters "who have distinguished themselves by their service to their community." "You alone stand between your neighbors and disaster," he said, as he pointed out that firefighters are often called upon to save lives and property under very stressful conditions. The students graduating were: Paul R. Abelow, Morganville; Arthur W. Blair Jr., Manasquan; Kristofor L. Bloomquist, Point Pleasant Beach; Marvin L. Carter, Neptune Township; Rui M. Granja, Allenhurst; David G. Hunt, Wall Township; Andrew C. Lay, Colts Neck; Peter G. Loftus Jr., Wall Township; Brian M. Maiorino, Freehold Township; Eric T. Mason, Hazlet; Keith J.Miklas, Bradley Beach; Christopher J. O‚Connor Jr., Aberdeen; Robert Poklemba, East Freehold; Daniel M. Presti, Aberdeen; James H. Proto, Aberdeen; Frankie J. Sangi, Ocean Township; Christopher R. Sarokhan, Wall Township; Christopher C. Terhune, Manasquan; Ryan T. Tomaine, Long Branch; Jonathan W. White, Hazlet; Tom E. Wilkinson, Staten Island, N.Y.