31 new firefighters join DFEMS

Thirty-one members of the 12th Fire Cycle pose in a group photo during their graduation ceremony held at the Fiesta Resort & Spa’s Hibiscus Hall last Friday afternoon. (Ferdie de la Torre)

After completing 975 hours of intensive training, 31 firefighters graduated last Friday from the 12th Fire Cycle and joined the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

Seventeen are assigned on Saipan, eight on Rota, and six on Tinian.

Excluding the new graduates, Saipan currently has 99 firefighters, while Rota has 12 and Tinian has 17, according to DFEMS spokesman Derek Gersonde.

Gersonde said the new graduates will be assigned on Saipan for another month to continue their on the job training until their evaluations are done.

Jeremy R. Torres, of Saipan, emerged as the class valedictorian, while Henry King Jr., of Tinian, was chosen as the class salutatorian.

James Manglona II, of Rota, was adjudged as most physically fit, while Giovanni N. Mira, of Saipan, obtained the governor’s leadership award.

Valedictorian Torres, 24, gave credit in getting the highest academic honors from the help of his family, his wife’s family, and other cadets.

Torres said the six-month training was the longest since the 10th Fire Cycle.

“It’s very fast pace. There’s very little room for error because we are dealing with life and people’s lives,” Torres said. “We worked so hard.”

Torres, who was born in Guam, graduated high school at the John F. Kennedy in Guam. His parents, Jack Torres and Linneth Rivera, are from Saipan.

Torres and his wife, Marie, have one child.

DFEMS Commissioner Claudio K. Norita, in his closing remarks, encouraged the new graduates that since they have 38 college credits already, they should visit the Northern Marianas College and get a degree.

Norita said the new graduates should get the education because the fire service demands its fire officers and chiefs to be educated and with advanced degrees.

“The path has been paved so make use of it. Don’t lose your fire,” the commissioner said.

Norita thanked Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Lt. Gov. Victor Hocog, and the Legislature for not only preaching the support for the first responders but also show it by ensuring that the funding is there.

Norita said the past three years first responder agencies, including DFEMS, have seen an overdue recognition in merit increase, promotions and a new pay scale across the CNMI.

“We have also seen the re-direction of grant funds to purchase critical equipment for first responders,” said Norita, hinting that Torres and the Legislature are finally looking at addressing hazardous pay for first responders.

The commissioner also underscored the importance of parents, spouse, children, and close friends that they provide to the cadets during the academy.

Norita said he is proud of the new graduates and the hardship they went through to get here.

“The curious cadets are gone and only the true fire eaters have survived. I know you are itchy to go out there and kill some dragons,” he said.