Two Methuen firefighters were among 33 people from 14 fire departments to graduate Thursday with the 278th class of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s 50-day Career Recruit Firefighter Training Program.
Robert Cole and Christopher Troy of the Methuen Fire Department participated in the ceremony at the Department of Fire Services in Stow. The guest speaker was Lynn Firefighter Derek Spitaleri.
State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey said, “This rigorous professional training provides our newest firefighters with the basic skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely.” The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, a division of the Department of Fire Services, offers this program tuition-free.
Besides Methuen, communities represented were Lawrence, Canton, East Bridgewater, Falmouth, Fitchburg, Lexington, Littleton, Lynn, Medway, Plymouth, Truro, Wayland and Winchester.
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.