WHAT: Graduation of Firefighter Class 199 & Paramedic Class 40

WHO: Mayor Jim Kenney
Fire Commissioner Adam K. Thiel
Deputy Chief Girten Allerton, Philadelphia Fire Academy      
 
WHEN: Tuesday, July 12 at 10 a.m.

WHERE: Northeast High School football field
Parking lot near Bleigh & Glendale avenues, Philadelphia
 
The Philadelphia Fire Department is proud to welcome 76 new members: 67 firefighter/EMTs and nine paramedics. These first responders are  joining one of the busiest fire/EMS systems in the nation: The PFD handles between 800-1,000 emergency incidents every day.

Background: The Philadelphia Fire Academy’s rigorous nine-month program for firefighter cadets includes fire suppression training, hazardous materials awareness, and fire- and life-safety education. The cadets also became certified as emergency medical technicians (EMTs), qualifying them to provide basic emergency medical care.

The nine fire service paramedic cadets were already certified paramedics when they joined the PFD. Their 12-week program at the Academy includes basic vehicle rescue; hazardous materials awareness and operations; how to treat children who are seriously ill or injured; and how to respond during active shooter incidents.

This is the first graduation that cadets’ families have been able to attend since November 2019. The last firefighter class (January 2021) and last paramedic class (October 2020) graduated during heavy COVID restrictions; loved ones watched those ceremonies on livestreams.