PBF Holds Graduation Ceremony for Recruit Class 134-24

Published on October 11, 2024

Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Holds Graduation Ceremony for Recruit Class 134-24

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire held a graduation ceremony today at Acrisure Stadium in the North Shore welcoming 39 recruits as firefighters to the Bureau. Recruit Class 134 began their training thirty-three weeks ago and have since completed intensive physical training, their EMT certification, and numerous fire certifications.

During the ceremony, IAFF Local No. 1 President Ralph Sicuro commended the recruits on their dedication, determination, and commitment. He reminded them never to lose their passion and remember what drove them to become a firefighter.

Fire Chief Darryl Jones spoke directly to the recruit graduates and acknowledged their momentous accomplishment.

“These recruits are the best trained and most physically fit to emerge from any fire academy in the country. You might notice the graduates exhibit a higher level of confidence or a deeper sense of pride, that is the essence of what it means to be a firefighter for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire.”  

Speaking to the friends and family of the graduates, Director of Public Safety Lee Schmidt thanked them for their support.

“Without your assistance and understanding, the city would not have these fine recruits in front of us today as new firefighters. They are now a part of the family of public safety.”

Mayor Ed Gainey administered the Oath of Office. He swore in the members of Recruit Class 134: Thomas Bartholomew, Dominic Bonacci, Douglas Brandy, Eaan Brown, Cullen Buckley, Raymond Buckley, Nicole Deangelo, Cody Demko, William Dowd, Cullen Dunn, Nicholas Fiumara, Liam Fodor, Ryan Guckert, Joshua Haefele, Phillip Hustava, Thomas Jamison, Jason Jones, William Junker, Ryan Lippert, Donald Lydic, Angelo Maggio, Kevin Minton, James Minton, Sean Moore, Gary Musial, Shane Nedley, Anthony Paiano, Alexander Piechocki, Hunter Prilla, Matthew Roney, Ryan Rosenfeld, Jacqueline Saunders, Steven Schwab, Elijah Sellers, Cody Shaw, Aaron Strader, Nicholas Sweeney, Jamar Washington, and Curtis Widman.

Battalion Chief James Dolan presented two recruits with awards earned during their training. Liam Fodor received the academic excellence award and Ryan Rosenfeld earned the physical fitness award.

The ceremony concluded with an invocation and blessing for the new graduates.

Firefighters will begin work with their respective stations next week after being granted the traditional post-graduation weekend off by Chief Darryl Jones.

Congratulations to the Bureau of Fire Recruit Class 134!

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Eliza Durham
eliza.durham@pittsburghpa.gov
(412) 740-8653