Firefighter Kevin Bristol Celebrates 20 Years of the FDNY High School

Captain Vernon A. Richard High School for Fire and Life Safety is proudly celebrating 20 years of excellence, graduating hundreds of students who have gone on to serve in the FDNY as firefighters and EMTs or pursue careers at private ambulance companies. In honor of this milestone, we are spotlighting some of the school’s remarkable alumni.

One such graduate is Firefighter Kevin Bristol, Class of 2010, who is currently stationed to Engine 299. Reflecting on his time at the high school, Bristol remembers the invaluable, hands-on experiences he had at both the Fire and EMS Academies.

“I didn’t know I wanted to be a firefighter. I knew I wanted to be an EMT,” he said. “After I graduated, I went straight into the FDNY EMS Academy. Everything I did in high school directly prepared me for what I learned there.”

After several years of serving as an EMT, Bristol took the civil service exam and was promoted to firefighter. “I love both jobs. It always makes me smile just knowing that I can help out, and I can do stuff that people need at the time,” said Bristol. “Just being able to lend a hand, like saying, ‘I’m here to help and make sure that you’re good.’”