JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services is celebrating the recent graduation of more than 30 new firefighters to serve in their respective departments.

A few of the grads in Western New York are eager to give back to their community.

There are four new members of the Jamestown Fire Department, thanks to the 89th class of graduates of the Recruit Firefighter Training Program, which is part of the state's Academy of Fire Science in Montour Falls in Schuyler County.

What You Need To Know

  • Thirty-two new firefighter recruits recently graduated from the Recruit Firefighter Training Program

  • There are four new graduates and recruits in the city of Jamestown alone

  • The recruits recently completed a 15-week training course

John Russo always wanted to be a firefighter and follow in the footsteps of his late grandfather, who also served in the department.

"Just listening to his stories, talking to him growing up. He and I were very close. It definitely impacted my decision to come down and you know get involved do the job I've wanted to do since I was a kid," said Russo. 

They're three of 32 total graduates from 11 stations in cities like Albany, Cortland and Lockport.

Garrett Fransen is following in the footsteps of his father and late uncle, both fire chiefs in the county.

"Lifetime dream. I just like helping the community, Been able to say I did it. And I'm here to preserve and protect the city of Jamestown," said Fransen.

The 15-week course included intense hours of classroom instruction and practical training.

Clarke Wiltsie has firefighters in his family, too.

"I was looking for a job that's more rewarding. Pride in what you [are] doing, something you feel more fulfillment through helping others," said Wiltsie.

The trio is among 62 career firefighters in the department who respond to about 8,000 calls a year, 80% of which are EMS.

Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Coon says the number of calls has doubled in the past decade.

"Always a very rewarding experience to graduate recruits out of the academy. So having additional personnel is extremely valuable to us, not only to meet that increased demand, [but] we're also looking to deploy a second ambulance," said Coon.

That's expected to happen this summer, as members are also certified EMTs.

"We like the one-on-one connection with the community; we're there to help and serve," said Fransen.

"Finally get to use the hours and hours of training and things that we've been looking forward to. Being able to get to use your training in a real world application, a real life setting," said Russo.

"There's a call and it's someone's worst day, you can go there and you have the knowledge and skills to help them out. Hopefully make everything better, the best you can and get them to where they need to be," said Wiltsie.

The next recruit firefighter training program is set to start on July 29.