Recruits graduate from the 49th Providence Fire Department Training Academy

Fifty-two men and women sworn in as Providence Firefighters

PROVIDENCE, RI: Mayor Angel Taveras, Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Paré, Acting Fire Chief Michael Dillon, and other Providence Fire Department and City officials joined at the Providence Career and Technical Academy for the graduation of the 49th Providence Fire Department Training Academy. The new members of the PFD were officially sworn in by Mayor Taveras after their completion of a rigorous 22-week training process under the leadership of the Director of Training, Captain Scott G. Mello. The Providence Fire Department Division of Training is located at 274 Reservoir Avenue.

The 49th Providence Fire Department Training academy included 42 residents of Providence and four women. Six of the graduates are military members, three of which were sent written exams out of the country which were given to them by military proctors. Ages in the class range from 19 to 43.

A citation was presented to Firefighter Gillian A. Cardarelli, age 23 from Jamestown, who ranked 4th overall in the class and is the highest ranking female ever in the history of the Providence Fire Department.

Additional citations presented at the ceremony:

Assistant Chief Michael J. Day Leadership Award - Firefighter Joseph J. Bouchard
Presented by Mrs. Cindy Day, wife of the late Assistant Chief Michael J. Day

Battalion Chief Francis J. Quetta Dedication Award - Firefighter João D. Faria, Jr.
Presented by Mrs. Susan Quetta, wife of the late Battalion Chief Francis J. Quetta

Captain Frank A. Reddington Loyalty Award -Firefighter Calvin Rodriguez
Presented by Mrs. Maggie Reddington, wife of the late Captain Frank A. Reddington

Most Physically Conditioned - Firefighter Nicholas A. Costa

Most Improved in Physical Conditioning - Firefighter Joseph F. Burke

Highest Academic Achievement - Firefighter Jon M. Drake

Highest Overall Ranking in Class- Firefighter Alexander J. Varone

"Today we welcome the members of the 49th Providence Fire Department Training Academy into the Providence Fire Department family. They inherit a tradition of service to the city which dates back to colonial times. They have completed a comprehensive training program and have proved themselves worthy of the title "Providence Firefighter." I take great pride in their achievement and am confident that the standard of skill and valor set by previous generations of Providence Firefighters will continue undiminished," said Acting Fire Chief Michael Dillon.

Graduates of the 49th Providence Fire Department Training Academy are as follows:

Firefighter Daniel R. Attwood, 25, Providence
Firefighter Andrew J. Bobola, 25, Providence
Firefighter Joseph Bouchard, 32, Cranston
Firefighter Joseph F. Burke, 36, Providence
Firefighter Ryan P. Burns, 27, Providence
Firefighter Gillian A. Cardarelli, 23, Providence
Firefighter Stanley Carmichael, 23, Providence
Firefighter Matthew C. Chaves, 26, Providence
Firefighter Corey D. Chouinard, 26, Warwick
Firefighter Nicholas A. Costa, 20, North Dighton, Mass.
Firefighter Christopher Dibiase, 24, Providence
Firefighter Jon M. Drake, 39, West Greenwich
Firefighter Steven S. Duran, 22, Providence
Firefighter Brian S. Dwyer, Jr., 32, Providence
Firefighter Corey T. Escobar, 22, Attleboro, Mass.
Firefighter João D. Faria, Jr., 30, Providence
Firefighter Robert Fayerweather, 25, Providence
Firefighter Robert A. Foley, 26, Walpole, Mass.
Firefighter Matthew T. Gallant, 25, Providence
Firefighter Derek A. Gallo, 33, Providence
Firefighter Joseph L. Gianfrancesco, 29, Providence
Firefighter Keeghan J. Gilheeney, 30, Providence
Firefighter Sonny B. Gloria, Jr., 33, Providence
Firefighter Raymond W. Heroux, 42, Providence
Firefighter Mark S. Hogan, 30, Providence
Firefighter Jacqueline S. Horlbogen, 33, Providence
Firefighter Richard A. Jimenez, 21, Providence
Firefighter Stephanie Johnson, 27, Warwick
Firefighter Anthony Johnston, 28, Providence
Firefighter April L. Kuzdeba, 31, Providence
Firefighter Corbett J. Lindsay, 30, Providence
Firefighter Tom Mallott, 29, Greenville
Firefighter Bryan D. Marshall, 26, Providence
Firefighter Brian K. Mello, 29, Providence
Firefighter Scott R. Mooney, 24, Syracuse, NY
Firefighter Cameron M. Moquin, 31, Providence
Firefighter Joshua M. Nelson III, 27, Providence
Firefighter Jeffrey J. Okolowitcz, 24, Providence
Firefighter Fernando Oliveira, 29, Providence
Firefighter Jeysy A. Ordonez, Sr., 21, Providence
Firefighter Ruddy D. Pujols III, 28, Warwick
Firefighter Calvin Rodriguez, 31, Providence
Firefighter Edward A. Silvestre, 42, Providence
Firefighter James R. Smith, 28, Providence
Firefighter Jarad J. Starnino, Jr., 29, Providence
Firefighter Ryan Sullivan, 27, Providence
Firefighter Marc A. Thibault, 29, Providence
Firefighter Kevin R. Varella III, 26, Providence
Firefighter Carlos R. Vargas, 34, Providence
Firefighter Alexander J. Varone, 23, Providence
Firefighter Willard H. Whiting, 40, Providence
Firefighter John J. Woolley, 19, Johnston