FDNY High School Named in Honor of FDNY Captain Vernon A. Richard, Who was Killed on September 11th
June 30, 2016
The high school that teaches the next generation of the FDNY was renamed on June 30 to honor FDNY Captain Vernon A. Richard of Ladder Company 7, one of the 343 FDNY members who made the Supreme Sacrifice on September 11th, 2001.
Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro, Chief of Department James Leonard, representatives from the New York City Department of Education, and family, friends, and former colleagues of Captain Richard were on hand to celebrate the Captain Vernon A. Richard FDNY High School for Fire and Life Safety.
“The FDNY High School is where young men and women from Brooklyn can learn the skills they need for a career of service and bravery in the Department,” said Commissioner Nigro. “Captain Richard exemplified bravery and selfless sacrifice, and now, with the school that bears his name, his memory will live on and inspire generations of future FDNY members.”
“We are proud to have schools across the City named after inspirational leaders and local heroes like FDNY Captain Vernon A. Richard,” said New York City Department of Education Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “We are grateful to the Fire Department for their continued partnership to support schools Citywide and the students at this school.”
Captain Richard, who was 53 years old at the time of his death, grew up in the Marcy Houses in Bedford-Stuyvesant and served in the United States Army in Vietnam from 1967-1969 before later joining the Department in December, 1977. He first served in Ladder Company 17 in the Bronx. Promoted to Lieutenant in 1994, he was assigned to Engine Company 16/Ladder Company 7 in Manhattan. He was the officer in charge of Ladder Company 7 on September 11th and was posthumously promoted to Captain.
The ceremony was attended by many current and retired FDNY members, including more than 50 members of Captain Richard’s firehouse, Engine Company 16 and Ladder Company 7.
“He was a gentleman, nicest guy you would ever want to meet. He was all about training, staying fit, keeping your head in the books, and always doing the right thing,” said Firefighter Salvatore Torcivia, who worked with Captain Richard in Engine Company 16.
Captain Richard’s son, Vernon A. Richard II, spoke about his father’s passion for education.
“My father took education very seriously. He studied hours and hours for the tests he took and he recruited other young African Americans to join the Fire Department as well.”
Since the opening of the FDNY High School, 46 graduates have joined the Department with two graduates currently serving as Firefighters and 44 as EMTs. To date, 126 FDNY High School graduates are State certified EMTs.
“This school has such a great track record, and we know that the Captain Vernon A. Richard FDNY High School for Fire and Life Safety will continue to produce new, talented and skilled EMTs, Paramedics, Firefighters, Fire Marshals and Fire Inspectors for generations to come,” said Chief Leonard. “I think the number of students to join the FDNY ranks will only continue to grow with Captain Richard’s name attached to this school.”
“This is a historic day for our high school,” said Principal James Anderson. “We're ready for our next chapter, and we're bringing a great man into the identity of the school.”