STOW, MA – State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey and Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA) Director David C. Evans announced the graduation of the 272nd class of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s fifty-day Career Recruit Firefighter Training Program on Friday April 12, 2019. “This rigorous professional training provides our newest firefighters with the basic skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely,” said State Fire Marshal Ostroskey. The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA), a division of the Department of Fire Services, offers this program tuition-free. The ceremony took place at the Department of Fire Services in Stow, MA.
(l-r) Harwich F/F Andrew Medeiros, F/F James Sandino
36 Graduates from 16 Fire Departments
The 36 graduates, two women and 34 men, Include Firefighters Andrew Ottino and James Sandino of the Harwich Fire Department, and Firefighter Justin Medeiros of the Yarmouth Fire Department.
Yarmouth F/F Justin Medeiros
Guest Speaker: Malden Deputy Chief William Sullivan
The guest speaker was Malden Deputy Chief William Sullivan, a 32-year veteran of the fire department, thirteen as a chief officer. He follows in his father and grandfather’s steps; they also served the department for many years. He has a bachelor’s degree from Anna Maria College. Deputy Chief Sullivan is also an instructor with MFA, teaching the Strategy and Tactics and Transitional Fire Attack programs. He spoke to the recruits today about commitment to the fire service, that they are now part of something larger than themselves. Whether on-duty or off, they will always be representatives of their department and held to a higher standard because of the respect the community has for firefighters.
Today’s Firefighters Do Far More than Fight Fires
Today’s firefighters do far more than fight fires. They are the first ones called to respond to chemical and environmental emergencies, ranging from the suspected presence of carbon monoxide to a gas leak. They may be called to rescue a child who has fallen through the ice or who has locked himself in a bathroom. They rescue people from stalled elevators and those who are trapped in vehicle crashes. They test and maintain their equipment including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), hydrants, hoses, power tools, and apparatus.
At the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, they learn all these skills and more from certified fire instructors who are also experienced firefighters. Students learn all the basic skills they need to respond to, contain and control fires. They are receive training in public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management, confined space rescue techniques, and rappelling. The intensive, ten-week program for municipal firefighters involves classroom instruction, physical fitness training, firefighter skills training, and live firefighting practice.
Basic Firefighter Skills
Students receive classroom training in all basic firefighter skills. They practice first under non-fire conditions and then during controlled fire conditions. To graduate, students must demonstrate proficiency in life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation, and fire attack. Fire attack operations range from mailbox fires to multiple-floor or multiple-room structural fires. Upon successful completion of the Recruit Program all students have met national standards of National Fire Protection Association 1001 and are certified to the level of Firefighter I and II, and Hazardous Materials First Responder Operational Level by the Massachusetts Fire Training Council, which is accredited by the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications.
Media release and photos furnished by Mass Department of Fire Services
