The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ Office of Fire Prevention and Control today announced the 18 new Fire Protection Specialists have graduated from the State’s Academy of Fire Science following a 17-week training program at various locations across the state. The graduates will join the more than 700 full- and part-time members of the State’s Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) who provide vital fire and life safety inspections, training and other support for firefighters and fire departments throughout the state, as well as play an invaluable role in how New York State responds to emergency situations.

“I want extend my congratulations to our newest group of Fire Protection Specialists and welcome them to the team,” said State Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Patrick Murphy. “The Office of Fire Prevention and Control plays a critical role not only in educating New Yorkers on fire safety, but also in helping communities respond to disasters of all kinds. Now, our team will grow even stronger with the addition of 18 individuals who have all demonstrated their selfless commitment to ensuring the safety of the men and women who live in their communities.”

“I am very excited and proud of the new group of fire protection specialists and know their different backgrounds, skills and experiences will benefit the stakeholders we serve,” said State Fire Administrator Francis Nerney.  “Given the rigorous 17-week training program they have endured, I am confident that they are well-prepared to join the ranks of the Office of Fire Prevention and Control and contribute immediately.”

Over the course of the 17-week program, the graduates were put through rigorous training courses that covered a wide-breadth of topics including fire instruction, fire inspection, structural collapse operations, water rescue awareness and HAZMAT. Fire and Life Safety Branch members also completed their Basic Peace Officer Course.

The graduates’ training does not end upon graduation as they will continue additional, advanced training in areas such as firefighter development, code enforcement, hazardous materials, technical rescue, emergency vehicle driving and other various specialized courses.

The graduates are:

The 2019 graduates have each been assigned to a particular branch of OFPC. Graduates assigned to:

• the Fire and Life Safety Branch will be responsible for inspections of colleges, universities and many state agencies and authorities. The Branch also invests considerable time in prevention and education activities and assuring the public’s safety through oversight of sparkling devices, fireworks and pyrotechnic displays.  
• the Special Operations Branch will provide education, refresher training and emergency technical assistance in areas of Hazardous Materials and Technical Rescue. Special Operations also has an emergency response component made up of full-time staff members and is an integral part of the New York Task Force-2 Urban Search and Rescue Team.
• the Fire Operations and Training Branch will deliver basic and advanced level fire service courses throughout New York State. This Branch is also responsible for providing on-scene emergency and routine technical assistance and is the primary office liaison with county and local fire service officials, and operationally coordinates fire service resources during an activation of the Statewide Fire Mobilization and Mutual Aid Plan. The plan is activated when local and regional fire resources have been exhausted and there is a need for mutual aid assistance.
• the Educational and Operational Support Branch will administer a variety of programs and services in support of the functions of the Office of Fire Prevention and Control, including: National Firefighter Certification Testing; State Firefighter Certification, including Candidate Physical Ability Testing; Management of the Academy of Fire Science in Montour Falls; vehicle fleet and staff uniforms; and Cancer Prevention programs.

About OFPC

Under the leadership of State Fire Administrator, OFPC provides training to more than 60,000 emergency services personnel annually, as well as administers statewide minimum training standards and best practices for firefighters. When they are not training New York’s next generation of firefighters, OFPC’s expert staff also play a key role in assisting local departments in investigating fires, inspect over 25,000 buildings annually for fire and life safety hazards, and help educate the public on fire safety.

About DHSES

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services provides leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism and other man-made and natural disasters, threats, fires and other emergencies.  For more information, visit the Facebook page, follow @NYSDHSES on Twitter, or visit dhses.ny.gov.

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