Herbert, Jr. graduates at top of his class; credits uncle

Buffalo Firefighter Donald Herbert, Jr. graduated tied for first in his class of 32 on Friday...

Herbert, the son of departed Firefighter Donald Herbert Sr., was one of about three dozen probationary firefighters who received their firefighting badges Friday afternoon during a recruit class graduation ceremony in Waterfront School.

The soft-spoken, humble 30-year-old, who joins his younger brother Patrick on the city's Fire Department, deflected any special attention at the ceremony.

"I'm very proud and happy; it's a good day," said Herbert, who finished tied for first in his firefighting class. "Obviously,I'd like to give a special thanks to my uncle Mike Blake for the rigorous fitness program he put me through before the start of the class."

When pressed to elaborate, Herbert said he was "sworn to secrecy" about the program's contents. Sources tell the Buffalo News, the program combined Soviet and East German Cold War era training methods along with a form of Buddhist transcendental meditation...

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