| We are asked often about the training that is required to be an Interior Firefighter with the OFD. How long is it, what do I have to do, you think I could do it? The dedication that this requires is time consuming, personal & in certain circumstances a family commitment, physically challenging, and mentally challenging. Nights, weekend days, and self study comprises all aspects of the class. The end result is rewarding, it’s rewarding to yourself being able to accomplish something many thought that they could not do. It also is rewarding to our community and to our department, we are gaining another dedicated member/family member of our team to protect the lives and property of our community.
As 3 of our members have begun their Firefighter 1 class journey, we wanted to introduce them to you and give you an inside look at what the next few months of this class will consist of for them. We want to showcase their commitment, show you what they are actually going through. Now before they begin the New York State Firefighter 1 class, training begins in-house. The OFD runs an in-house “Probie School”, this reviews the basic skills of firefighting. It gives you an understanding of the aspects of the fire service and the basic things one can do before they have their interior firefighting certification.
Let’s meet our members that have begun class this past Tuesday evening.
-Firefighter Mateo Coburn
Mateo is a member of Engine 101 (Independent Hose Co. #6). He is 20 years old and a graduate of Ossining High School. Mateo began his interest in firefighting in the OFD Junior Corps. Currently he is working private security and has aspirations in making firefighting a career in the future. Mateo has no prior family ties to the Fire Service. When we asked Mateo what made him join the OFD his response was very simple and to the point, he wants to give back to the community in which he grew up in.
-Firefighter Nicholas Cruz
Nick is a member of Tower Ladder 42 (Washington Hook & Ladder Co. #2). He is 21 years old and also an OHS graduate. Nick also began his firefighting service in the OFD Junior Corps. Currently he is working at the world famous Rocky’s Deli in Millwood slinging those Hashtags & Bacon, Egg, & Cheeses. Nick has no prior ties to the fire service in his family, making him the 1st generation in the OFD. Originally joining upon the recommendation of friends of his, he also pursued the OFD as a good way to expand his networking in the community and aiding him in learning life skills he might not have been able to be exposed to.
-Firefighter Patrick Meudt
Patrick is also a member of Tower Ladder 42 (Washington Hook & Ladder Co. #2). He is 19 years old and is as well a graduate of Ossining High School. Along with Mateo & Nick, Patrick began his exposure to the fire service with the OFD Junior Corps. Currently Patrick is working in the private security sector with the same agency as Mateo, New Era Security. Patrick is following in the footsteps of his father as he (Steven Meudt) is a 30 year member of Tower Ladder 42 and also a retired patrolman of the Ossining Police Department. Patrick wants to again follow in his father’s footsteps pursuing a career in law enforcement or the career fire service. We asked him along with Mateo & Nick what made you join the department. He wanted to give back to his community and also join and do what his father had done, being a member of Tower Ladder 42.
These gentlemen began their first part of Firefighter 1 in the beginning of February. The first section is referred to as “BEFO”, Basic Exterior Firefighting Operations. These are the basic skills that will lay the ground work for their training all the way to IFO (Interior Firefighting Operations). This part of class was 79 Hours of instruction comprised of classroom & physical hands-on training.
We are proud to announce that all three of them has successfully passed BEFO. This past Saturday they were given their BEFO Final, all passing with flying colors. They now begin IFO this coming Tuesday evening. Attached in this post are pictures of them in class and some of them on calls in town.
Stay tuned for another update on how these guys are doing. Congrats to Mateo, Nick, & Patrick. We also would like to thank NYS Fire Instructor Maitland and the other Instructors for allowing us to give you a glimpse of their class. |
