18 graduate from 12th Cycle of Basic ARFF Academy

The 18 graduates of the 12th Cycle Basic Aircraft Rescue & Firefighting pose for a photo with officials from the Commonwealth Ports Authority’s Aircraft Rescue & Firefighting and the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services last Friday after their graduation ceremony at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe. (LEIGH GASES)

Eighteen cadets of the 12th Cycle Basic Aircraft Rescue & Firefighting graduated last Friday at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe after four-and-a-half months of training.

The graduation ceremony was attended by Rota, Tinian, Saipan, and Majuro fire chiefs, along with the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services Commissioner Juan A. Pua, Commonwealth Ports Authority representatives, and friends and family of the graduates.

ARFF fire chief Frederick Pangelinan gave the welcoming remarks, CNMI Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexandro Castro administered the oath of office for the cadets, then the graduates were pinned with badges and handed their certificates.

Awards were also given to the top cadets of the class. The valedictorian was Andrei Avendano-Woodruff; the salutatorian was Elton Hofschneider; and the physical fitness award went to Michael Mancao.

The Saipan graduates were Avendano-Woodruff, Hofschneider, Mancao, Joseph Muna Jr., and Blade Igitol. Two graduates—Jonathan Marifel and Dianoah Reyes—were from Tinian; five graduates were from Rota: Prudencio Manglona IV, Jorob Camacho, Joaquin Fujihira Jr., Alfernee Manglona, and Randall Manglona.

There were four graduates from Majuro, Marshall Islands: Samson Katadrik, Polson Laidran, Hertin Joel, and Lolin Joab; and two graduates were from Yap, Berman Tachibelmal and Jonathan Fetan.

Avendano-Woodruff, who later spoke, thanked the people in his life who helped him and supported him in his journey to becoming a firefighter. “At the end of that journey, I can see there’s still so much more left to learn. Even with this award I’ve been given, I know there are people who know a lot more than I do—people who I’d like to learn from and catch up with and skills to build and experience the game. I think that goes for all of us in the 12th cycle. So, we won’t stop here. We’ll keep getting better and better. We’ll keep having each other’s backs. Whoever we need to save, whatever comes our way. Like we said, at the end of every day, big or small, extinguish all.”

In ARFF Capt. Jesse Salas’ closing remarks, he said to the new graduates, “It has been a long, long, long four months. From Day 1 of the academy, you quickly understood that the title of a firefighter had to be earned; it wasn’t going to be easy. You all have been physically and mentally challenged with all the bookwork and smoke sessions we put you through to the point where giving up was almost an option. But you all pushed through, pushed forward, and overcame those challenges.”

The graduates will now undergo ports police training as both Rota and Tinian ARFF firefighters are also ports police officers.

One of the academy’s instructors, Edward Dela Cruz Jr., said the graduates went through Firefighter 1 and 2 certification, hazardous materials awareness and operation certification, as well as driver operators’ course, airport firefighting certification, and emergency medical services through the American Red Cross as emergency medical responders.

“On behalf of my chiefs and our instructors, we are satisfied and happy to announce that these guys are equipped and certified to go back to their islands and provide aircraft rescue and emergency medical services to their islands…,” said Dela Cruz.