Bucks County Community College graduated 90 firefighters on Tuesday, May 20, in a Newtown Campus ceremony that drew hundreds of family members, friends, and fellow first responders. The volunteers completed national certification training at the College’s Bucks County Public Safety Training Centers in Doylestown and Croydon.
Dr. Patrick M. Jones, President and CEO of the College, addressed the graduates and welcomed special guests that included Chair of the Board of Bucks County Commissioners Robert Harvie, State Senator and Middletown Fire Chief Frank Farry (R-6), and State Representatives Tim Brennan (D-29), Kristin Marcell (R-178), and Shelby Labs (R-143).
Three firefighters – one from each class – received Outstanding Student Awards. Honored were Joseph Cherone of Hilltown, a member of the Hilltown Volunteer Fire Co.; Grace Schoen of Levittown, a member of the William Penn Fire Co.; and Richard Guers of Quakertown, a member of the Quakertown Fire Dept.
Bucks County Community College is the largest provider of fire and emergency services training and certification in Pennsylvania, training about 45,000 first responders annually in all 67 counties in the Commonwealth. State Representatives Tim Brennan and Kristin Marcell are actively working to provide state funding for training of first responders.
