Local Volunteers Complete Firefighter 1 Training

Staff Report

MIDDLETOWN — Two Middletown-Hardenburgh firefighters and one Arkville Fire Department member graduated with Firefighter 1 certification in a ceremony at SUNY New Paltz on Monday, July 28.

Graduates of the Firefighter 1 training course included Maria Barca and Kevin Hubbell; both have been members of the Halcottsville Fire Department for about two years. Arkville Fire Department volunteer Nicholas Caratzas also graduated with Firefighter 1 status. He joined the AFD about a year ago.

Former Halcottsville Fire Department member and current Olive Fire Department Lieutenant Michael Finch also graduated from the Firefighter 1 program during the July 28 ceremony. He spent seven years in the HFD before joining the Olive Fire Department in May 2022.

In addition, Christian Davis, a member of the Margaretville Fire Department completed Basic Exterior Firefighting Operations (BEFO) training.

Firefighter I is the foundational level, focusing on basic firefighting skills and technique. Along with teaching basic fire science and safety, a Firefighter 1 certification covers basic rescue operations and the field's history.

Once volunteers have earned Firefighter 1 certification they are eligible to enroll in the Firefighter II training program. The advanced training builds on the Firefighter 1 foundation, emphasizing more advanced tactics, leadership, and decision-making in emergency situations.

The Arkville Fire Department's Officers and Members offered congratulations to Firefighter Nicholas Caratzas on completing the BEFO and IFO training programs, which cover exterior and interior firefighter operations.

“We also congratulate Halcottsville Fire Department members Kevin Hubbell and Maria Barca on their successful completion of the program. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all of you for your dedication to your departments, communities, and surrounding areas. These programs require a significant time commitment, totaling hundreds of hours, consisting of instruction, firehouse work, and commutes to the Ulster County training facility for the majority of classes,” the AFD representatives said in a statement to The Catskills Chronicle.

The graduation ceremony was organized by the Ulster County Department of Emergency Services, Ulster County Firemen's Association, and the instructional team at SUNY New Paltz.

Middletown-Hardenburgh firefighters Maria Barca, left, and Kevin Hubbell, right, are pictured at the July 28 graduation ceremony at SUNY New Paltz marking their completion of Firefighter 1 training. Nicholas Caratzas, center, was also among the volunteers earning Firefighter 1 certification. He is a member of the Arkville Fire Department.

Former Halcottsville Fire Department member and current Olive Fire Department Lieutenant Michael Finch also graduated from the Firefighter 1 program during the July 28 ceremony.