Spring Lake Gets Four New Firefighters

The Spring Lake Fire Department on Monday received four new recruits fresh from the academy.

After graduating from the Monmouth County Fire Academy Monday night, the four new firefighters -- Brett Brahn, Christopher D'Eufemia, Scott Mason and Henry Sieminski -- will move on to serve the Spring Lake Fire Department.

Spring Lake Fire Chief Rick Hurley could not be immediately reached for comment.

For the past 40 years, the academy has been training firefighters to protect all of Monmouth County. Last night, members of the 92nd Firefighter class were recognized in front of a packed room of family and friends for their training accomplishment. 

"The program consisted of 180 hours of training which took place over 14 Saturdays or Sundays and 15 night classes with a homework test provided each night," said Chief William Itinger.  "They had off for holidays but worked through the rain and even snow this year.”

During those 180 hours, each firefighter was trained in search and rescue, ladders, hose operations, fire ground safety, property conservation, disability training, basic forest fire and other areas. 

Each also had to complete a 100-question test from Kean University. Only after passing the test and completing all classroom sessions and all hands on exercises was each undergraduate officially considered certified firefighter. 

Four classes a year receive their certification to become official firefighters for Monmouth County. With about 35 people in a class, the Monmouth County Fire Academy graduates 140 firefighters a year. Tonight, 35 more Monmouth County Fire Academy undergrads will be recognized and will be handed their certification to become official firefighters for Monmouth County. 

Monday's graduates are:

• Arvel Afflick, East Windsor #2

• Kyle Bauter, Glendola, Wall Township

• Ryan Boyle, Wanamassa Fire Company

• Brett Brahn, Spring Lake Fire Department

• Francis Calabrese, Red Bank Fire Department

• Eric Cantwell, Ridgeway Fire Company

• Matthew Chester, Ridgeway Fire Company

• Travis Ciani, Tinton Falls Fire Company #1

• Kevin Covert, Sea Bright Fire Department

• Zachery Covert, Sea Bright Fire Department

• Michael Crismali, East Windsor #2

• Christopher D'Eufemia, Spring Lake Fire Department

• Jeffery Daley, Oakhurst Fire Company

• Jason Downing, Spring Lake Fire Department

• Sean Edson, Oakhurst Fire Company

• Benjamin Espada, Aberdeen Hose and Chemical #1

• Jason Henry, Allenhurst Fire Department

• Thomas Kacsmar, Glendola Fire Company

• Joshua Kolodziej, Holmdel Fire Rescue #2

• John Kuhlthau, Monmouth Beach Fire Company

• Mark Mancino, Holmdel Fire Rescue #2

• Scott Mason, Spring Lake Fire Department

• Thomas Mayrose, Ridgeway Fire Company

• Thomas Moran, East Freehold Fire Company

• Andrew Murray Jr., Keansburge Fire Company#1

• Chanin Robilotti, Englishtown

• Eric Sacks, Manalapan Township #1

• Henry Sieminski, Spring Lake Fire Department

• Jake Simon, Sea Bright Fire Department

• Michael Whittet, Gordon's Corner Fire Company

• Ryan Woolf-Sanchez, Holmdel Fire Rescue #2