On August 24, the NFTA held a ceremony at the Buffalo Airport Firehouse for academy graduates off to positions with the Transit Authority Police, Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting, and SUNY ECC. It was the first of its kind for the Authority, as all prior graduations have been held through Erie County. The event included remarks by Pastor Steve Biegner, TAPD Captain Mike Garrity, the NFTA's Executive Director Kim Minkel, and Aviation Director Bill Vanecek.

The pinning ceremony was hosted by Transit Police Chief George Gast, Fire Chief Bill Major, and Vice President of Security and Safety of SUNY Erie, Tracy Gast. The graduates and their families were commended for their dedication and perseverance during the unexpected health crisis which radically transformed academy training.

Please join us in congratulating: Airport Fire Fighter Daniel Cownie; ECC Public Safety Officer Matthew Kondziela, and Transit Police Officers - Nicholas Guise, Scott Massey, Brandon Radoani, and Mason Jones.

To quote Ms. Minkel, "Congratulations, be safe and be compassionate."