Five Burlington Recruits Graduated and Assisted at Second-Alarm Fire

Burlington, VT — September 25 — Five recruits from the Burlington Fire Department successfully completed Academy Class 26-01 on September 25, 2026, after passing their final assessments at the Vermont Fire Academy. Following their graduation, the recruits joined department personnel during a second-alarm structure fire on Linden Terrace in Burlington’s South End.

The graduates include Probationary Firefighters Aaron Sherman, Vikas Mangipudi, Paul Cirignano, Kyle Blanchard, and Isaac Bauer. Their involvement in the fire provided them with an initial hands-on experience as they transitioned from academy instruction to performing actual duties with the department.

Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak attended the fire scene to express her support for Burlington firefighters and to congratulate the five recruits on completing their training. Her presence acknowledged both the recruits’ accomplishments and the efforts of the department staff during the emergency.

The Burlington Fire Department’s recruit academy provides new members with a comprehensive training program that includes classroom learning, physical exercises, and practical drills. The curriculum covers essential areas such as fireground operations, emergency medical services, technical rescue, and vehicle operation. During their probationary period, graduates continue to develop their skills under the supervision of seasoned firefighters.

The completion of Class 26-01 brought five new trained personnel into the department.

Their shift from academy evaluations to assisting at an active fire underscored the value of real-world experience, teamwork, and ongoing professional development in the fire service.