TROY, N.Y. — The Troy Fire Department held an emotional promotion and hiring ceremony on September 1, 2023, hiring 17 firefighters and promoting four others. The new firefighters — each of whom passed the grueling Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) and a thorough mental health examination — will fill almost all vacancies within the department.
Fire Chief Eric J. McMahon was also awarded a Mayoral Letter of Commendation for his heroic act of service on August 23, 2023; the text of which is available for viewing online.
“I am proud to welcome so many new firefighters to our Troy Fire Department whose membership embodies some of our finest public servants—including our Chief, who I had the distinct honor of recognizing for courageously saving a woman from the Hudson River on August 23, 2023,” said Mayor Wm. Patrick Madden. “Leadership is not only knowing the way and going the way, but showing the way, and I thank our Chief, our outstanding federal representatives for providing the funds that made this staffing possible, and our new firefighters for answering the call to service in our community.”
Two lieutenants were promoted to the rank of captain:
Two firefighters were promoted to the rank of lieutenant:
Patrick Kuhn
Noah Cipperly
The large class of new hires was made possible in part by changes implemented by the Madden Administration, in which paramedic training will be provided by the City after hiring a candidate instead of placing the onus on candidates to seek certification before they are hired. Hudson Valley Community College’s Cardiorespiratory and Emergency Medicine department will offer the required paramedic training.
The Fire Department also successfully applied for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant funding. Thanks to the leadership of Senator Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Representative Paul D. Tonko, the Troy Fire Department was able to utilize a $772,800 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Paramedic Training Grant and a $3,688,160 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant, both awarded by FEMA.
Substantially boosting our roster of firefighters fulfills a vision laid out in Mayor Madden’s 2023 State of the City Address. The mayor recognizes and thanks Fire Chief Eric McMahon for his professionalism and leadership of the Troy Fire Department.
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer: “Our firefighters put their lives on the line each day to keep us safe, and those who put on the gear to serve the Collar City are no different. I am proud to have delivered this important funding through the federal SAFER and AFG programs to ensure the Troy Fire Department is fully staffed and adequately trained. I’ve fought my whole career to bring more federal resources to support our brave firefighters, and this funding will keep the City of Troy prepared to take on any emergency.”
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: “Troy’s firefighters work tirelessly to protect our communities. Adding these firefighters will help strengthen the fire department’s ability to respond to emergency situations and save lives. I am proud to have worked to secure the funding that made this possible and I will continue working to ensure that New York’s fire departments have what they need to continue defending our communities on the front lines.”
U.S. Representative Paul D. Tonko: “The men and women of the Troy Fire Department put their lives on the line every day to keep our families safe, and I was thrilled last week to be on hand to welcome 17 new firefighters to their ranks and to celebrate the promotion of four outstanding members. In Congress, I’ve made it a top priority to make certain that our local fire departments and first responders have the equipment, resources, and manpower they need to continue to serve our communities with distinction. I’m proud of my work to deliver the federal funding that made these new hires possible, and I’m confident that with these needed reinforcements, the Troy Fire Department will continue to provide top-notch service to the citizens of Troy for years to come.”
Troy Fire Chief Eric J. McMahon: “I would like to thank all the people that came together to make this hiring event possible. Just about every division and bureau in city government contributed to ensure that we were successful in our effort. I thank the Mayor and his Administration, the City Council, the Law Department and Civil Service for all of their support. Further, I thank all our partners on the state and federal level for bringing much needed resources and expertise to the table to ensure that this group will be well trained and equipped.”
Dr. Roger Ramsammy, President of Hudson Valley Community College: “For seven decades, the college has created new programs and partnerships that support career growth and community well-being. Our partnership with the Troy Fire Department is another exceptional example, and we are proud to provide the necessary paramedic coursework and training for the department to expand and hire new firefighters.”
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17 new firefighters took their oaths on September 1, 2023; in the above image, they pose with Mayor Madden and representatives from nearly every level of government.
Download this and other photos from the ceremony via Google Drive courtesy of the Troy Mayor's Office.
The full unedited video of the ceremony is available on the City of Troy’s YouTube page.