The Journal News

The men, along with their families and friends, gathered at the Colden Center at Queens College to celebrate their graduation from the FDNY Fire Academy, a rigorous training program held several times a year on Randall's Island to prepare New York's Bravest for duty. Among yesterday's graduates were residents of Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties.

"It's very challenging, both mentally and physically," said Gregory Dicembri, 28, who grew up in Valley Cottage but now lives in Yonkers. Dicembri is one of the 19 more recent training academy graduates who have served overseas in the armed forces. He credited his time in the U.S. Air Force at Al Dhafra in the United Arab Emirates for helping him handle the difficulties of firefighter training.

"Being a firefighter and in the Air Force are the only two things he's ever talked about doing - and he did them," said his father, Joseph Dicembri, 60, of Valley Cottage.

This particular group of probationary firefighters, or "probies" as they are called, had 18 weeks of extremely rigorous training, five more than past groups, which included drills, tests of fitness and learning to deal with fires firsthand.

"In this post 9/11 world, as threats to the city evolve, training is more important than ever," Mayor Bloomberg told yesterday's graduates. He later added, "This commitment speaks volumes about the kind of young men you are."

Martin Richardson, 23, of Banksville, whose great-grandfather helped found the Banksville Volunteer Fire Department, has felt an affinity for firefighting since he was very young.

"This is something I've always wanted to do," he said.

Richardson is the second member of his family to enter the FDNY and will continue to serve in Banksville when he has time, even after taking his post at a city firehouse. When asked why he loves his new job, he answered simply, "I like to help people, and firefighting is a great job. You get to work with a lot of good people."

Camaraderie with fellow firefighters was a theme throughout the graduation as the probies recited a chant in perfect synchronization and offered each other words of congratulations and pats on the back after accepting their diplomas.

"From Day One, they teach you about teamwork," Gregory Dicembri said. "It's all about brotherhood. I'll never forget the guys I went to training school with."

Martin Richardson's grandmother, Mary Cowell, 68, of Banksville, was impressed with the sense of commitment to their group that the probies showed when she visited Randall's Island for Family Day, a time when the probies can invite their relatives to sit in on a training session or two.

"It's amazing how they learn to work together," she said. "It had me just flabbergasted."

Although the new firefighters are done with the academy, they still have a year of working at an assigned firehouse until their probationary status is lifted, and many more years to learn their trade firsthand.

"This is really our baseline training," Richardson said. "In the FDNY, you continue to learn from experience or from older guys who you work with. Once you've graduated, the process is not really done."