Providence fire department getting 55 new members

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- The Providence Fire Department is getting dozens of new members with the graduation of 55 men and women from its training academy.

The trainees are set to conclude 22 weeks of training Monday evening. They will be officially sworn in as members of the second oldest professional fire department in the country.

The candidates include 43 Providence residents, 4 women and 16 members of minority communities.

Mayor Angel Taveras, Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare and Fire Chief Michael Dillon are among those scheduled to attend the graduation ceremony.