SPRINGFIELD, Mass.— The State Firefighting Academy graduated 27, 6 of who represent Berkshire County departments

 

State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey and Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA) Director David C. Evans announced the graduation of 27 members of the Call/Volunteer Recruit Firefighter Training Class #88. 

 

Among these graduates are Tanelle Ciempa of the Adams Fire Department, Trevor DeRis of the Great Barrington Fire department, Charllee Sanchez-Rios of the North Adams Fire Department and William Graves, William Kipp, and Jamieson Williams all of the Hancock Fire Department.

 

"First responders are on the frontlines protecting their communities and these newest firefighters are needed now more than ever. We have taken greater advantage of online learning technology, reduced group training size to increase social distancing, implemented screening, and required mask-wearing to keep our instructors and students as safe as possible during these uncertain times," MFA Director Evans said. 

 

Graduates received certificates of completion on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, at the Department of Fire Services' Springfield campus.

 

The 27 graduates represent 17 Fire Departments.

 

The Call/Volunteer Firefighter Recruit Training 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.

 

The MFA, a division of the Department of Fire Services, offers this program, tuition-free.

 

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.

 

Graduates have completed 240 hours of training on nights and weekends. Upon successful completion of this program, all students have met the standards of National Fire Protection Association 1001. In addition, they have the ability to become 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.

 

A slideshow of the graduates can be found here.