Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
4100 Chain Bridge Rd, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Phone: 703-246-3801, TTY: 711 and Fax:703-385-1687
Duty PIO (Weekends/After-hours): 703-280-0694
Media Information Line: 703-324-3000
Email: fire-rescue.Pa-LSE@fairfaxcounty.gov
Website: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire

News Release 09-10
Date: February 2, 2009

126^th Recruit Firefighter Graduation
(Senior IAFF Official Keynote Speaker)

Since August 2008, 32 recruit firefighters have been training to respond to fires, hazardous materials incidents, vehicle extrications, swift water emergencies, confined space rescue, and emergency medical incidents. The 22-week recruit firefighter/EMT course culminated with graduation Friday, January 30, 2009, at 7 p.m., held at the Fairfax County Government Center Auditorium, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, Virginia.

Peter L. Gorman, Chief of Staff, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), was the keynote speaker. Gorman was selected Chief of Staff, IAFF in 2007, and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the IAFF headquarters, and provides direct supervision to seven Assistants to General President Schaitberger.

Gorman, a 34-year veteran firefighter, started his career as a firefighter with the New York City Fire Department and rose to the rank of Captain. In 1999, he was elected to a first of eight consecutive terms as President of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association of New York City, Local 854, representing over 2,500 active and 4,500 retired members.

He has served on various Executive Boards, including the New York State AFL-CIO, New York City Municipal Labor Committee, and the New York City Central Labor Council. He has been a member of the IAFF, HazMat/WMD Advisory Board, and has served on various National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) committees.

About one-third of the firefighters started their shift work on Saturday, January 31, 2009, reporting for work prior to 7 a.m.

For more information, call Daniel L. Schmidt or Captain I William Moreland, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, 703-246-3801 and TTY: 711. Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request.
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