Passaic County, NJ - Dozens of fire recruits, including 34 from Paterson, 11 from Passaic and two from Bergenfield, attended an introduction ceremony to the Passaic County Fire Academy on Monday, October 14th.

Paterson FD Chief Brian McDermott and Passaic FD Chief Patrick Trentacost were in attendance and spoke many words of encouragement to the recruits, but also made sure to tell them that the training they'll be going through over the next three months will be very intense.

Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. also attended the ceremony and told the recruits that he will always have their backs as long as he is in office, as it’s these men and women who put their lives on the line everyday to save other lives.

The 34 recruits from the Paterson Fire Department are the largest amount in the history of the city to go through training all at one time.