FLEMINGTON, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — Hunterdon County officials gathered Feb. 18 to recognize 115 individuals who completed firefighter and emergency medical training programs during the county’s annual First Responder Graduation Ceremony.
Hunterdon County Deputy Commissioner Director Jeff Kuhl and Commissioner Shaun Van Doren attended the event at Reading-Fleming Intermediate School, which celebrated the newest members of the county’s emergency services community.
The ceremony brought together county officials, fire and EMS leaders, instructors, families and fellow first responders to honor the graduates. The event was organized in partnership with the Hunterdon County Department of Public Safety, the Hunterdon County Fire Chiefs Association and the Hunterdon County EMS Chiefs Association.
“These graduates have invested an extraordinary amount of time, energy and determination into earning their certifications,” Kuhl said in a statement. “The strength of our emergency services depends on individuals who are willing to step forward and answer the call to serve. We are grateful for their dedication and proud to support the training programs that prepare them for this important work.”
Van Doren said the ceremony highlights the commitment required to serve as a first responder.
“Attending this ceremony each year is a powerful reminder of the courage and commitment it takes to serve as a first responder,” Van Doren said. “These individuals are choosing to run toward danger when others are running away. That takes heart, discipline and a deep sense of responsibility to their neighbors.”
Among the graduates, 45 recruits completed the Firefighter I program and 20 advanced through Firefighter II training at the Hunterdon County Emergency Services Training Center in Clinton Township. Another 50 students earned Emergency Medical Technician certifications through the South Branch Emergency Services Training Center in Clinton.
Officials said the training programs are structured similarly to college-level coursework. Firefighter I and EMT candidates complete more than 200 hours of classroom instruction and hands-on training, while Firefighter II participants complete an additional 90 hours of advanced instruction.
Throughout the process, trainees undergo rigorous physical, mental and practical testing to prepare for emergency situations.
For more than a decade, Hunterdon County has partnered with South Branch Emergency Services to ensure that EMT training remains accessible locally, helping maintain a strong and well-trained emergency response network throughout the county.
The Hunterdon County Board of County Commissioners congratulated the 2025 graduating class and thanked the graduates for their commitment to protecting and serving residents.
