33 Firefighters Graduate Academy

Growing up in Fair Haven, Joemar Aviles thought firefighters were superheroes. He dreamed of one day being someone who, like them, could help New Haveners in need. 

Aviles was one of 33 people in the 65th recruit class to graduate from the New Haven Fire Academy Friday morning, and among 20 who were born and raised in New Haven.

Hundreds of family members and friends filled the auditorium, located in Hill Regional Career High School on Legion Avenue, for the hour-and-a-half ceremony. The ceremony was replete with noisy whoops, giggling babies, standing ovations, good-natured teasing, and genuine gratitude for the new firefighters. 

Led by three flag bearers and a bagpipe player, the new graduates marched in unison to their front-row seats. Retired firefighter Erika Bogan sung the National Anthem and then led the room in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

You’re here because ​“you wanted to move from success to significance,” Fire Chief John Alston told the graduates. 

He noted that the department’s union contract requires 72 people to work each shift, which means the station will have to sometimes ask firefighters to take on more hours.

According to Justin McCarthy, the city’s chief administrative officer, 42 of the 334 positions budgeted for the city’s fire department are vacant, even with the 33 new graduates. 

Mayor Justin Elicker led the recruits in their oath of office and thanked them for their willingness to make sacrifices for the New Haven community. 

Then the graduates walked across the stage and had Alston, an academy instructor, or family member pin the official silver badge on their lapel, marking their official welcome into the fire department. 

Alston encouraged the crowd to ​“whoop it up,” and they delivered: After each graduate’s name was announced, loved ones yelled, ​“That’s our baby!”, ​“Now we’re talking!”, or affectionate pet names — which Alston joked would follow the graduates throughout ​“their entire careers.”

Explaining how she became a firefighter, Westville resident Andrea Emery said, ​“Honestly, I took a chance with it.” She added that her family is full of ​“dominant women,” including a police sergeant, so she knew from an early age that she wanted to ​“support [her] community” and ​“contribute to the public service.” 

Lifelong New Havener Ayanna Bruno is a first-generation firefighter. She initially wanted to go into the medical field, she said. After realizing that college was not for her, she decided firefighting might be a better way for her to help others. 

She described the six-month training process as ​“super intense,” particularly with learning how to skillfully and speedily climb ladders. 

After taking her oath and receiving her badge, she said confidently, ​“It was worth it.”