Photo Caption-New Firefighters: Mayor Jimmy Davis and the Fire Department leadership posed with Bayonne’s newest firefighters.  Pictured in back row from left to right: Public Safety Director Robert Kubert, Mayor Jimmy Davis, Firefighter James Marnell, Firefighter James Ryan, Firefighter Brandon Russo, Firefighter David Folger, Firefighter Jan Skora, Firefighter Sean Brow, Firefighter Nicholas Pivano, and Firefighter Vincent Crawford.  Pictured in front row from left to right: Firefighter Jeremy Ives, Firefighter Jacob Lucarelli, Firefighter Matthew Blanchard,  Firefighter Evan Smith, Firefighter James Tyminski, Firefighter Moataz Elnaggar, Firefighter Jayro Navedo Mercedes, Firefighter Conor Farley, Firefighter Patrick Jarczewski, Captain Raccys Pozo, Battalion Chief Brian Kaczka, and Fire Chief Keith Weaver.  

At a recent ceremony in the Bayonne Council Chambers, seventeen new firefighters took their oath of office.  They have joined the Bayonne Fire Department after passing a competitive civil service test and fire academy training. The new firefighters are Sean Brow, Vincent Crawford, Moataz Elnaggar, Patrick Jarczewski, Matthew Blanchard, Evan Smith, Brandon Russo, Jeremy Ives, Jacob Lucarelli, James Marnell, James Tyminski, Jan Skora, James Ryan, David Folger, Nicholas Pivano, Jayro Navedo Mercedes, and Conor Farley.

City Clerk Madelene Medina administered the oath of office to the new firefighters before a large crowd in the Council Chambers.  
Addressing the new firefighters, Mayor Jimmy Davis urged them to “learn every single day.”  He assured them that they have joined “the best” fire department.  Saying “you represent the City of Bayonne,” Mayor Davis reminded the new recruits to “respect the uniform.”  He promised to provide them with all of the technology and equipment that they will need.
 
Public Safety Director Robert Kubert congratulated the new firefighters and their families.  He reminded the new group that the public would be depending on them.  Director Kubert explained that the new recruits were needed to help replenish the ranks of the Fire Department following the retirement of nearly forty firefighters.  He thanked Mayor Davis and the City Council for their support of the Fire and Police Departments.

Fire Chief Keith Weaver said that, since 2014, the City of Bayonne has hired “well over” 100 new recruits to replace several rounds of retired firefighters.  He told the new firefighters that they have “the best job in the world,” and promised them that “there are many achievements that lie ahead.”  Chief Weaver said that they have joined “over 118 years of tradition” in the Bayonne Fire Department, and that they have “a chance to make a difference in our community.”  

City Council Member At-Large Loyad Booker recognized that the new recruits “have gone through a tough time” to become firefighters.  He said, “The journey begins today.”  Council Member Booker urged the firefighters to “look out for each other.”  

Here is brief biographical information about the new firefighters:

Firefighter Sean Brow is a graduate of Carteret High School. He continued his education at Rutgers University. Before becoming a firefighter, he worked for Kinder Morgan as a petroleum operator.

Firefighter Vincent Crawford graduated from North Arlington High School.  Then he furthered his education at Rowan University and Bergen Community College, where he studied Computer Science.  He also served as a police officer for the City of Bayonne.

Firefighter Moataz Elnaggar is a graduate of Marist High School.  He continued his education at New Jersey City University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science.  He served as a Firefighter/EMT in Harrison.

Firefighter Patrick Jarczewski graduated from St. Peter’s Prep.  At Rutgers University, he earned a degree in Sports Management.

Firefighter Matthew Blanchard is a graduate of Bayonne High School.  He furthered his education at Hudson County Community College, where he majored in Psychology.  

Firefighter Evan Smith is a graduate of Monmouth Regional High School.  He furthered his education at the University of Delaware, majoring in criminal justice.  He also served as a firefighter in Millstone, New Jersey.  

Firefighter Brandon Russo is a graduate of Bayonne High School.  He continued his education at New Jersey City University, where he earned a degree in Fire Science.  He also worked at Training Specialties as a Hazmat Technician.

Firefighter Jeremy Ives is a graduate of Bayonne High School.  At St. Peter’s University, he earned a degree in History.  Prior to his firefighting career, he was a teacher in the Bayonne School District for nine years.  

Firefighter Jacob Lucarelli is a graduate of Bayonne High School.  He then went on to attend Lincoln Tech.  Before becoming a firefighter, he was employed in construction for the L Group.  

Firefighter James Marnell is a graduate of Bayonne High School.  He furthered his education at Ramapo College, majoring in Information Technology Management.  He was employed previously at Bayonne Community Bank.  

Firefighter James Tyminski is a graduate of Bayonne High School.  Prior to his firefighter career, he worked for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the Bayonne Board of Education.

Firefighter Jan Skora is a graduate of Bayonne High School.  He furthered his education at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, majoring in Information Technology/Computer Science.  He worked previously at the Bergen County Justice Center.  

Firefighter James Ryan is a graduate of St. Peter’s Prep.  He furthered his education at Rutgers University, majoring in Exercise Science.  Prior to his firefighting career, he was employed at the Bayonne Golf Club.

Firefighter David Folger is a graduate of Bayonne High School.   He is a grandson of the late Deputy Fire Chief Folger.

Firefighter Nicholas Pivano is a graduate of Toms River High School East.  Prior to his firefighting career, he worked as a division mechanic for PSE&G.  

Firefighter Jayro Navedo Mercedes is a graduate of Bayonne High School.  He furthered his education at Hudson County Community College, majoring in Liberal Arts. 
Prior to joining the Fire Department, he worked as a chemical operator for IMTT.  

Firefighter Conor Farley is a graduate of Bayonne High School.  He continued his education at St. Peter’s University, majoring in Sports Management.  Before his firefighting career, he worked as a substitute teacher in the Bayonne School District and as a Sales Associate for the New York Jets.  

Following the main part of the ceremony, Chief Weaver announced that the new class of firefighters was being dedicated to Public Safety Director Kubert.  Chief Weaver described Director Kubert as “fair, firm, frank, and compassionate,” and as a man of “wisdom and knowledge.”  The Chief presented Kubert with a white fire helmet, a firefighter shirt, and a framed order and a plaque declaring the dedication.  Deputy Chief William Bartos presented Director Kubert with a plaque in honor of his fifty-three years of service to the community.  In response to the dedication, Director Kubert said it was “an honor,” and that the class “will make me proud.”   

At the ceremony, the Fire Department Honor Guard led the Pledge of Allegiance.  Rev. John Fencik offered the invocation and the benediction.  Battalion Chief Brian Kaczka and Captain Raccys Pozo read out the new firefighters’ biographies.