MEDIA ADVISORY
WHAT: Graduation of Fire Cadet Class 198
WHO: Mayor Jim Kenney
Fire Commissioner Adam K. Thiel
Upper Darby Fire Chief Derrick Sawyer
WHEN: Monday, January 11 at 10 a.m.
The 92 members of Class 198 – which includes firefighter cadets from the Philadelphia (88) and Upper Darby (4) fire departments – will graduate from the Fire Academy in a closed ceremony due to COVID-19. The Philadelphia Inquirer will provide pool photographs. CBS3 will provide pool video and a livestream. Media outlets that need photos should email photo@inquirer.com. Outlets that need video should contact CBS3 Managing Editor Manny Smith at 267-769-4230 or smith@cbs3.com.
The Academy’s rigorous nine-month program includes fire suppression training, hazardous materials awareness, and fire- and life-safety education. The cadets also became certified as emergency medical technicians (EMTs), qualifying them to provide basic emergency medical care.
The Philadelphia cadets are joining one of the busiest fire/EMS systems in the nation: The PFD handles between 800-1,000 emergency incidents every day. Last year, the PFD responded to over 362,000 calls to 911; 265,000 EMS incidents; and 47,000 fire incidents.
NOTE: There is a tentative media availability for ALL outlets with a small number of cadets on Saturday, Jan. 9 at the Academy. Please email Kathy Matheson if you are interested.