PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Four members of the Pittsfield Fire Department competed the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy's 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program. 

 

The class, S21, trained at the Springfield campus and included firefighters from Amherst, Dudley, Longmeadow, Northampton, Pittsfield and Westfield. 

 

Chris Deinlein, Matthew Healey, Josh Kelly and Nick Manns were among the 11 graduates from Springfield. A total of 41 were graduated from the academy's three campuses. 

 

"First responders are on the frontlines protecting their communities and these newest firefighters are needed now more than ever," said Deputy State Fire Marshal Maribel Fournier. "We have taken advantage of technology, reduced class size for social distancing, implemented daily screening, and required mask-wearing to keep our instructors and students as safe as possible during these uncertain times."

 

The intensive 10-week program for municipal firefighters involves classroom instruction, physical fitness training, firefighter skills training, and live firefighting practice from certified fire instructors who are also experienced firefighters. 

 

Students learn the basic skills they need to respond to fires, to contain and to control them, including the latest science of fire behavior and suppression tactics. They also receive training in public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management, and self-rescue techniques. 

 

They train to respond to all types of hazards and emergencies, including chemical and environmental emergencies, ranging from the suspected presence of carbon monoxide, to Fentanyl overdoses or 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.

 

In response to the pandemic, the 10-week curriculum was reorganized to take advantage of online learning technology while ensuring plenty of practical skill experience on-campus with instructors. Students alternated between the virtual classroom for two weeks, on campus for practical training (using special safeguards and social distancing) for four weeks, back to the virtual classroom for a week, returning to campus for two weeks and finishing the final week in the virtual classroom.

 

Upon successful completion of the Recruit Program, all students have met the 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.