Fremont, CA—On Thursday, March 24, 2022, 10 firefighters graduated from the Fremont Fire Department 2022-1 Lateral Recruit Academy. The afternoon graduation ceremony took place at the City of Fremont Downtown Event Center.
The graduates completed an accelerated academy that was six weeks in length. The physically and academically challenging academy included training in hose, ladders, self-contained breathing apparatus, ventilation, electrical vehicle awareness and auto extrication, wildland, emergency medical services, rope rescue, firefighter survival, forcible entry techniques, and an active shooter review. A class hike to the top of Mission Peak helped commemorate the end of the second Lateral Academy in the past three years.
Presentations for the “Top Nozzle” Award and the Chief John Cerruti Ironman Fitness Award were also given during the ceremony.
Kyle Caserza was selected as the 2022 Chief John Cerruti Ironman Fitness Award recipient. Created in 2007, the Chief John Cerruti Ironman Fitness Award is presented to the recruit who shows exemplary performance in physical training.
Rose Gray was selected as the 2022 “Top Nozzle” Award recipient, becoming the first woman to receive the honor since it was created in 1987. At the conclusion of each recruit academy, the “Top Nozzle” Award is presented to the recruit who demonstrated superior academic performance and is exceptionally skilled in the use of job-related equipment and tools, as well as one who best exhibits the core values of the Fremont Fire Department.
In his closing remarks to the newest members of the organization, Fire Chief Curtis Jacobson stated, “Thank you for choosing the Fremont Fire Department. You could’ve stayed in your previous department or gone to other departments looking for great firefighters, but I believe you made the right choice!” Chief Jacobson encouraged the new lateral probationary firefighters to “take ownership in the department and know that you can be a leader from any rank.” He also challenged members of the 2022-1 Lateral Academy to “be lifelong learners, remain engaged and invested in yourselves, your crews, the department, union and community.”
The first group of graduates began their inaugural Fremont Fire Department tour of duty on Sunday, March 27, 2022.
Please join us in welcoming the following firefighters to the Fremont Fire Department:
Joshua Atkinson
Kyle Caserza
Rose Gray
Brett Loughlin
Danielle McNely
Jonah Peters
Jerry Short
Brian Smith
Vincent Ta
John Viss
# # #
