March 21, 2025 | From New Orleans Fire Department
NOFD Recruit and In-Service Promotion Ceremony
Today the City of New Orleans and the New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD) held a promotion ceremony for NOFD Recruit Class R-02-24 and one member being promoted to the position of Fire Captain. Recruit Class R-02-24 consisted of twenty-nine New Orleans Fire Department recruits and one Orleans Parish Communications (OPCD) dispatcher, who endured a twenty-two-week training regimen focusing on all aspects of firefighting. This included classes such as Structural Firefighting Techniques, Apparatus Driver Training, Hazardous Materials, and Marine Firefighting. The recruits are certified as Firefighter I and II by Louisiana State University, Hazardous Materials (both Awareness and Operations Level), as well as Medical First Responders.
Several superlative awards were presented at today’s graduation, they are as follows:
Fellowship Award: Presented on behalf of Roxanne Hadley representing PFIA.
This award is presented to the Recruit chosen by his classmates for exhibiting outstanding Fellowship. In addition to receiving this award, the recipient will also receive a $100.00 Gift card donated by Police & Firemen’s Insurance Assoc. The award goes to: Probationary Firefighter-Marlon Defillo II
Leadership Award: Presented by Deputy Chief Ray Casey, President of the N. O. Association of Fire Chiefs. This award is presented to the Recruit chosen by the Training Staff for exhibiting the character necessary to become an outstanding Firefighter. These qualities include intelligence, dedication to duty and dependability. In addition to receiving this award, the recipient will also receive a $100.00 Gift card donated by New Orleans Assoc. of Fire Chiefs. The award goes to: Probationary Firefighter-Eric Van der Vynckt
Physical Fitness Award: Presented by Our Physical Fitness Instructor, Captain David Watkins.
This award is awarded to the recruit that has exhibited the best overall physical abilities in the training program. In addition to receiving this award, the recipient will also receive a $100.00 Gift card donated by New Orleans Fireman’s Federal Credit Union. The award goes to: Probationary Firefighter- Wiley Adams
Administrator’s Award: Presented by Assistant CAO of Human Resources Christina Hamilton.
This award is presented to the recruit that has achieved the highest academic average in the training program. In addition to receiving this award, the recipient will also receive a $100.00 Gift card donated by New Orleans Fireman’s Federal Credit Union. The award goes to: Probationary Firefighter- Eric Van der Vynckt
Director’s Award: Chosen by the Director of Training. This award is sponsored by New Orleans Firefighters Local 632 & Black Assoc. of New Orleans Fire Fighters. It will be presented by Assistant Director of Training Russell Avery. This award is presented to the group that has excelled in all categories of training, safety, leadership, and teamwork. The award goes to: Group# 3 Probationary
PRESS RELEASE
New Orleans Fire Department Roman J. Nelson, Superintendent
317 Decatur Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
Firefighters- Wiley Adams, Carlos Aponte, Terrence Buckles, Alcide Lachapelle, Kevin Foster and Aaron Souvinette
Superintendent’s Award: Presented by the Superintendent of Fire, Roman Nelson. This award is presented to the outstanding New Orleans Fire Recruit. This individual has excelled in academics, physical ability, leadership, and safety. In addition to receiving this award, the recipient will also receive a $100.00 gift card donated by New Orleans Fireman’s Federal Credit Union. The award goes to: Probationary Firefighter-Wiley Adams
FIRE RECRUIT CLASS R-02-24
NOFD Probationary Firefighters
Group 1- Dezmus Gonzales, Zachary Maillet, Arthur Curtis, Bruce Tevin, Damion Tankersly
Group 2- Johnson Vo, Evan Wilson, Joseph Jones, Travis Coleman, Eric Ban der Vynckt, John Fields
Group 3- Wiley Adams, Carlos Aponte, Terrence Buckles, Alcide Lachapelle, Kevin Foster, Aaron Souvinette
Group 4- Cai Coleman, Alphonso Jones, Quinton Dussett, William Kecso III, Dakota Johnson, Ha-Giang Huynh
Group 5- Marlon Defillo II, Joachim Jupiter, Noah Tardiff, Majyal Johnson, Braden Daniel, Braxton Cavalier
OPCD - Jasmine Bates
Fire Captains- Justin Munns
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