UTICA, N.Y. -- A total of 19 recruits are now ready to join the workforce after 14 weeks of intensive training at the Utica Fire Academy on Bleecker Street.
The graduation ceremony was held Wednesday at Mohawk Valley Community College.
Training for these recruits includes everything from basic firefighter operations to handling of hazardous materials.
Utica Fire Chief Scott Ingersoll says the program is much more than just firefighter training.
"We have a great partnership with Mohawk Valley Community College where they are able to earn college credit while taking the fire academy courses, so they come out of the academy with about 30 credit hours,” said Ingersoll.
Recruits now have the opportunity to continue on with their schooling through Empire State College, while they begin their appointments through various local fire departments.
