There were eight local graduates, among 100 altogether, at Orange County’s 2024 Firefighter 1 graduation ceremony at the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center on Saturday.

The local firefighters are:

Fort Montgomery Fire Department: Seth Armstrong Jr. (a Squad Leader), Kyle Kilner (a Class Leader, and ‘Top Rung’ award winner)

Cornwall-on-Hudson Fire Department: Gloria Merino

Cornwall Fire Department: Myles Graham and Stella Reyes (both are Highland Engine Company #1 junior firefighters)

Highland Falls Fire Department: Clement Krug, Alex Melo Perez and Emma Rogers

The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including County Executive Steve Neuhaus, Sheriff Paul Arteta, Outgoing and Incoming Legislature Chairs Katie Bonelli and Kevin Hines, Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services Peter Cirigliano, Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Fire Services Vini Tankasali, Chairman of the Fire Advisory Board Tom Amodio and, from New York State, Rick Penney.

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler was among the 400 in attendance at the ceremony and said it was “a pleasure to address the graduates and their families and welcome them. Orange County is truly blessed with these newest firefighters!”

The class is comprised of 129 hours of classroom and hands-on training. Lead instructors in the course were Joe Andre, Mike Hayes and Chris Sweeney.
To become a volunteer firefighter, stop by any of the fire houses on their meeting nights, or visit their social media or websites.