After completing rigorous training, 25 firefighter recruits received their volunteer fire company badges during graduation ceremonies held February 9 at Lacey High School.

The graduates were joined by family members, friends, instructors, and fellow first responders as they marked the start of their service to communities throughout Ocean County.

Manchester Mayor Joseph Hankins, a former chief of the Manchester Fire Department, delivered the keynote address, reflecting on the responsibility and honor associated with earning a firefighter’s badge. Ocean County Commissioner Robert S. Arace also addressed the class, congratulating the recruits on behalf of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners.

“Becoming a firefighter is not just about mastering skills or completing training, it is about earning the trust of your community,” Arace said. “That trust is earned, and tonight you’ve earned it, and Ocean County is proud of you.”

The graduates and their respective fire companies are:

Robert Ackerman Jr., Kreisler Fortes, and Jack Koehler, Forked River Fire Department; Madison Braun and Nicholas Knipple, Seaside Heights Fire Department; Nathan Brindley and Scott Brindley, Barnegat Light Fire Department; Tyler Chervencik, Lanoka Harbor Fire Department; Christopher Colacci and Christopher Pollina, West Tuckerton Fire Department; Joshua Davis and Daniel Mitchell, Lakehurst Fire Department; Elvir Divanovic, Bradden Galassi, and Robert Price Jr., Waretown Fire Department; Michael Ford, Lavallette Fire Department; Matthew Linsley, Beachwood Fire Department; Melissa Myslinski, Mystic Island Fire Department; Austin Nahrwold, Manitou Park Fire Department; Matthew Perez, Pleasant Plains Fire Department; Jonathan Rainforth and Trent Stanfield, Pinewald Pioneer Fire Department; Cole Rizzolo and Reece Rizzolo, Whiting Fire Department; and Ricardo Rubio, Stafford Township Fire Department.

Several recruits also received special recognition during the ceremony. The Father Mychal Judge Award for Leadership was presented to Tyler Chervencik of the Lanoka Harbor Fire Department. Melissa Myslinski of the Mystic Island Fire Department received the Stanley Marks/Alex Letyshev High Achievement Award, and the Davenport Brotherhood Award was presented to Madison Braun of the Seaside Heights Fire Department.

The graduates will now begin active service with their respective volunteer fire companies across Ocean County.