200 New City Firefighters Graduate In Queens

More than 200 new firefighters are joining the city's ranks after a graduation ceremony yesterday.

The 276 graduates are the second class to finish the newly expanded training course at the Fire Academy on Randalls Island, which was extended to 23 weeks from 13 in 2007 at a cost of about $19 million.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Queens, Mayor Bloomberg praised the probationary firefighters for their devotion to public service.

"You are one of the first classes to receive the exceptional 23 weeks of training at the academy, and I know it has prepared you for any type of emergency you may encounter," Mr. Bloomberg said. "Thank you for your commitment and dedication to making New York City a better place to live, work, and visit."

The fire commissioner, Nicholas Scoppetta, told the graduates, "It takes a special kind of person to be a New York City firefighter."

"Each of you has proven your ability at the academy, and I know you will succeed in the field," Mr. Scoppetta said.

Thirty-five members of the military, representing every branch of service, were part of the graduating class. One of the graduates, Probationary Firefighter Christopher Little, is serving with the Marines in Iraq on his second mission and was unable to attend the ceremony. His family represented him at the graduation in his absence.

Probationary Firefighter Matthew Sweeney, whose older brother, Firefighter Brian Sweeney, was killed on September 11, 2001, also was among the graduates.