UTICA —The Utica Fire Department has hired five new members, two of whom have already graduated from the Utica Fire Academy through their enrollment with Mohawk Valley Community College, according to city officials.

Joining the ranks are Samuel Revere, Joseph Zhuk, Brandon Bolmer, Dylan Evans and Andrew Grosse, authorities said. 

Three of the appointees are already certified paramedics. Two of the new members previously graduated from the Utica Fire Academy through the MVCC Fire Protection Program. These two new members will therefore have a shortened training and field orientation period before being placed on active duty.

The other three members are training at the Utica Fire Academy, which is currently training 25 candidates from throughout the state. 

The fire academy is 14 weeks of academic and practical, hands-on training in fire operations and many other fields of study, such as hazardous materials and technical rescue.