October 3, 2025 | From New Orleans Fire Department
NOFD Recruit Class R-1-25 Graduation Ceremony
On today, Friday, October 3, 2025, the City of New Orleans and the New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD) held a promotion ceremony for NOFD Recruit Class R-1-25. The class consisted of twenty-six recruits who successfully completed a twenty-two-week training regimen focused on all aspects of fire training and medical first responder. The curriculum included 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. The Honorable City of New Orleans Mayor, LaToya Cantrell, was the ceremony’s keynote speaker.
Several superlative awards were presented at today’s graduation. They are as follows:
Fellowship Award: Presented by Captain Roxanne Hadley, representing Police and Firemen's Insurance Association (PFIA). This award is presented to the recruit chosen by classmates for exhibiting outstanding Fellowship. In addition to receiving this award, the recipient will also receive a $100.00 gift card donated by PFIA. The award goes to: Probationary Firefighter- Andrew Liang
Leadership Award: Presented by Deputy Chief Ray Casey, President of the New Orleans 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 the New Orleans Association of Fire Chiefs. The award goes to: Probationary Firefighter- Christopher Raymond
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- Lovell Oatis
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- Nyx Silvers
Director’s Award: Chosen by the Director of Training. This award is sponsored by New Orleans Firefighters Local 632 and Black Association of New Orleans Firefighters (BANOFF). It was 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 Firefighters- Semaj Barthelemy, Jadon Smith, Di’Allo Miller and Ivan Carr
Superintendent’s Award: Presented by the Superintendent of Fire, Roman Nelson. This award is presented to the outstanding 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- Lovell Oatis
Fire Recruit Class R-01-25
NOFD Probationary Firefighters
Julius Cain Ivan Carr Alexander Crump
Jacob Johnson Laim Kennedy Justin Laude
Andrew Liang Cameron Lion Brenden McAcy
Di’Allo Miller Jadon Smith Michael Thelemann
Matthew Moore Tavis Baptiste Na’Sif Morris
Lavontay Rowan Nyx Silvers Lovell Oatis
Dorian Porche’ Darryl Robertson Nathaniel Ebert
Semaj Barthelemy Soulemane Cisse Randy Rauch
Christopher Raymond Gregory Smith