PCCC Fire Academy Celebrates 31st Commencement

Volunteerism and valor were honored this month at the PCCC Fire Academy’s 31^st   Firefighter I and Firefighter II Commencement Ceremony held before a large gathering of friends, family, community members, and representatives of area fire departments on December 6, 2024, atthe Passaic County Technical Institute Auditorium in Wayne.

“This was one of our larger graduating classes,” noted Michael Wanklin, program coordinator, who has been with the Fire Academy since it was founded in 1992 and offered the welcoming remarks.

The ceremony recognized the achievements of 77 graduates from Passaic County and other nearby counties who completed the Firefighter I and/or Firefighter 2 training with the goal of becoming volunteer firefighters. 

“They represent a total of 24 volunteer squads and serve their communities by providing a critical service to residents,” said Janet Albrecht, dean of PCCC’s Continuing Education/ Workforce Development which includes the Fire Academy.  

In keeping with PCCC Fire Academy tradition, the ceremony opened with a procession of the graduates and the West Milford Fire Department Honor Guard, accompanied by the inspiring sounds of the Passaic County Pipes and Drums band.   

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Captain James Hearney of the Little Falls Fire Department who is also the lead instructor of the Firefighter I program.  Reverend Charles Corradino of the Church of the Nazarene in Butler offered the invocation.

Fire Academy Director Jason Macones welcomed attendees to the event and congratulated the graduates on their achievement. “The recruits of the Passaic County Fire Academy exemplify unwavering dedication and resilience in their pursuit of excellence. Their commitment to mastering the skills necessary for safeguarding our community is evident in every training session. Each day, they pushed their limits, embodying the spirit of teamwork and service that defines our firefighting family.”

As a former Fire Academy trainee and instructor, Mr. Macones once served as a volunteer firefighter and, in addition to his role at the Academy, is currently in a leadership position with the Paterson Fire Department.

Leaders from each town’s Fire Department attended to present certificates to the graduates from their communities, a touching tradition made even more meaningful when the presenter was also a relative of the graduate.

Firefighter Samantha Dakake was presented with her certificate by her father, newly elected Pompton Lakes Fire Chief Dennis Dakake, and her sister, Paterson Firefighter Amanda Dakake, who are both instructors at the Fire Academy.

In another family with a firefighting tradition, Victor Tamburro, the former fire chief of Hawthorne, presented certificates to his twin Firefighters Carley and Christopher Tamburro.

At each year’s ceremony, the class presidents present The Fire Academy with commemorative plaques that will then adorn the walls of PCCC’s Public Safety Academy. Following the presentations by class presidents Drew J. Bendel, Marzita Melendez, Evan Wovsaniker, and Michael N. Mullane,  Mr. Wanklin commented, in what has become a running joke, that the PSA may soon run out of wall space.

Additionally, names of graduates who achieved high cumulative test scores will also be commemorated on a plaque that will hang in the vestibule of the Public Safety Academy. The 2024 graduates to receive this honor are Drew J. Bendel, Nicholas A. DeNunzio, Michael Foray, Trey C. Lengyel, and Anthony R. Stabile.

In a special tribute, former Fire Academy director and now current instructor, Albert Evangelista recognized the unique contributions of Allen Del Vecchio who had passed away on December 4, just two days before graduation.

A former Totowa fire chief, Mr. Del Vecchio had a long and distinguished career.  Notably, he sat on the steering committee to establish the Passaic County Fire Academy in 1992 and was also a long-time instructor at the Academy.

Now celebrating 32 years of service to the community, the Fire Academy has trained over 5,000 firefighters from Passaic, Morris, Bergen, Sussex, Essex, and Hudson counties and provides ongoing training for firefighters. In acknowledging the achievements of the Fire Academy, PCCC president, Dr. Steven Rose praised their efforts to provide continuing education for their teams. 

For more information about the Fire Academy at PCCC click here.