On Wednesday night, December 5, twenty-seven new firefighters will join the ranks of the Raleigh Fire Department. Recruit Academy 43 will graduate in a ceremony at 7:00 p.m. at the Fletcher Opera Theater in the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South Street.

The new firefighters have completed 32-weeks of classroom, practical and physical fitness training. Each of them will be certified by the State of North Carolina as a Firefighter Level II, Emergency Medical Technician, and Hazardous Materials Responder I.

See photos of the recruits in action.

Class of 2018

Back row:

• Jordan D. Lairson – Wendell, NC
• Jordan T. Lamotta – Harrisburg, PA
• William M. Stanfield, II – Benson, NC
• Aaron M. Hicks – Apex, NC
• Matthew T. Wacenske – Raleigh, NC
• Corey S. Raven – Hope Mills, NC

Fourth row:

• Anthony L. White – Bennettsville, SC
• Damian R. Lynch – Rocky Mount, NC
• Roy C. Hicks, V – Raleigh, NC
• Travis J. Jackowski – Huntington, NY
• Scott M. Clark – Wake Forest, NC

Third row:

• Steven L. Cantin – Wendell, NC
• Cameron J. McAuliff – Middlesex, NC
• Jordan B. Capps – Kenly, NC
• Patrick W. O’Dell – Jermyn, PA
• Donnell F. Boyles – Columbia, SC
• Phillix  Sterling – Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico

Second row:

• Brandon G. Strickland – Raleigh, NC
• A’Dren J. Hye – Fayetteville, NC
• Jakob W. Snipes – Selma, NC
• Jennifer L. Mastin – Daytona Beach, Fl
• Charles I. Coleman – San Bernardino, CA

Front row:

• Anna M. Capps – Middlesex, NC
• Yada E. Beener – New York, NY
• Latrel D. Fields – Henderson, NC
• Moises  Cabasquini – New Britain, CT
• Misty L. Bingham – Fort Mill, SC

Class Portrait

The recruits were photographed on the Boylan Street bridge on October 4. Click to enlarge:

Family Connections

• Cantin – Nephew of Anthony
• Capps – Son of Eric
• Jackowski – Nephew of Robert
• Lairson – Son of K.C. Ray, Grandson of Stan, Great Grandson of Joe
• Lamotta – Brother of Nick and Kelly
• McAuliff – Son of Keith Wilder
• Stanfield – Son of William

Other Fire Department Connections

• Antioch FD – Snipes, volunteer
• Benson FD – Stanfield, volunteer
• Clarks Summit FD (PA) – O’Dell, volunteer
• Davenport FD (FL) – Sterling, paid
• Durham Highway FD – Strickland, volunteer
• Kenly FD – Capps, volunteer
• Knightdale FD – Bingham, volunteer
• Middlesex FD – McAuliff, volunteer
• Smithfield FD – Capps, paid
• Spartanburg FD (SC) – Boyles, paid
• Vance County FD – Fields, volunteer
• Wendell FD – Sterling, paid