Santulli Honors Fire & EMS Youth Academy

From Rockland County Legislature: Rockland County Legislator Laurie Santulli presented recognition awards to students, instructors and assistants of the Rockland County Fire & EMS Youth Academy.

The academy is a six-week program designed to introduce and train youth ages 13 and up on various aspects of firefighting, first aid and rescue operations. Participants receive classroom and hands-on training, gaining life-saving skills and becoming certified in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

“This program introduces our youth to the world of firefighting and emergency medical services, providing a great opportunity for them to learn valuable skills and potentially leading them into careers as paid or volunteer firefighters in our community,” Legislator Santulli (R-Congers) said.

Rockland County relies on the goodwill of the hundreds of volunteers who make up the county’s 26 fire departments, as well as the Rockland County Haz Mat Team, the Rockland Regional Technical Rescue Team and numerous specialty teams within each department.

The academy can help boost local recruit efforts by involving youth and showing them just how important a role volunteers play in the success of the community, said Santulli, who has more than 20 years of volunteer service with the New City and Congers Fire Departments.

The following students were honored: Aidan Carton, Chris Curley, John Durkin, Max Goldenberg, Corey Kaufman, Jack Kowalski, Kenny Kowalski, Michael Kowalski, Kenny Louden, Peter Moger, Nick Morris, Steven Morris, Justin Pawelczyk, Zachary Schlissel, Scott Weaver, Jason Weck, and Daniel Yore.

Also honored were instructors John Ahlf, Tom Bierds, Matt Byrne, Brandon Cruz, Shawn Healy, Jerry Knapp, Patrick Pascullo, Domenico “Nico” Seminelli, and Joe Tisbe.

The following assistants were honored: Michael Barish, Suffern FD; Brandon Bates and

Matt Bates, Sloatsburg FD; Jonathan Bubloski, West Nyack FD; Robert Condon, Monsey FD; Matt Dennison, Central Nyack FD; Geoffrey Dick, Tappan FD; Shawn Farkas, Spring Valley FD; Pat Heffernan, Tappan FD; Scot Orser, Congers FD, Josh Sheridan, Suffern FD; and Nick Winterborne, West Nyack FD.

“I want to thank all of the participants in this special program,” Santulli said. “Each and every one is making a difference for the better in Rockland County.”

Photo courtesy of Rockland County Legislature