(Methuen firefighters photograph below.)
Firefighters from Haverhill and Methuen were among 35 graduates Friday from the 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program.
New state Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine congratulated the recruits and recounted how he once took the same steps.
“Although I’m proud to serve as your state fire marshal today, 25 years ago I knew very little about firefighting when I walked through those same academy doors. I credit this institution for providing countless opportunities for me to develop my skills, expand my knowledge and to challenge myself,” he said.
Haverhill graduates from Class 315 were Philip Georgoulis, Jacob Jarosz, Eric Michitson and Daniel Yacubacci. From Methuen were Ryan Campbell, Adam Marino, Kyle Sheehy and Liam Sheehy.
Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Director Jeffrey P. Winn said “Through consistent classroom instruction and practical exercises, today’s graduates have developed the tools they’ll need to work seamlessly with veteran firefighters in their home departments and in neighboring communities as mutual aid.”
Rep. Ryan Hamilton, who represents Methuen and Haverhill, was on hand to root for the graduates.
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 Career Recruit Program, all students have met the national standards of NFPA 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications and are certified to the levels of Firefighter I/II and Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations by the Massachusetts Fire Training Council, which is accredited by the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications.
Graduating Methuen firefighters, from left to right, were Ryan Campbell, Adam Marino, Liam Sheehy and Kyle Sheehy. (Courtesy photograph.)
Career Recruit Firefighter Training Class #315 represent the fire departments of Ashland, Attleboro, Beverly, Concord, Fitchburg, Harwich, Haverhill, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marlborough, Methuen, Orleans, Revere, Seekonk, Tewksbury, and Weston. (Courtesy photograph.)