A number of area firefighters graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Monday night during ceremonies at Pentucket Regional Middle School, Groveland.
State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey and Academy Deputy Director Joseph Klucznik presented certificates of completion to members of the Call/Volunteer Recruit Firefighter Training Class #63. The program delivers a standard recruit training curriculum, meeting national standards, on nights and weekends to accommodate the schedule of firefighters in suburban and rural areas.
“Bringing the training closer to the firefighters often means more firefighters can participate,” officials said.
The 38 graduates—30 men and eight women—represent 15 fire departments, Boxford, Georgetown, Groveland, Ipswich, Lynnfield, Manchester, Merrimac, Middleton, Nahant, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Tyngsborough, Wenham and West Newbury.
Graduates in WHAV’s listening area include Daniel J. Higgins and Daniel P. Manning of the Georgetown Fire Department; Alyssa F. Bosch, Jennifer A. Hicks, Courtney M. Panaro, Megan S. Shea and Colin G. Stokes of Groveland Fire Department; Zachary J. Brickett of Merrimac Fire Department; and Andrew D. Greenbaum, of West Newbury Fire Department.
In this Massachusetts Firefighting Academy program, recruits learn skills from certified fire instructors who are also experienced firefighters. Students learn all the basic skills they need to respond to fires and to contain and control them. They are also given training in public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management, firefighter self-rescue, and vehicle extrication. The intensive program includes classroom instruction, physical fitness training, firefighter skills training and live firefighting practice.