New Swampscott firefighters graduate from academy

SWAMPSCOTT – Two Swampscott firefighters graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy recently.Billy Vousboukis and Mike Bagnell were hired in September. After joining the department, the two new firefighters trained with Deputy Kevin Breen for a couple of weeks then reported to state firefighting academy on Sept. 29 for 12 weeks of intensive training. The two new firefighters graduated from the academy on Dec. 18.State Fire Marshall Stephen D. Coan said firefighters do much more than fight fires and the extensive training provides them with skills needed to fight fires, conduct rescue operations and respond to hazardous material incidents.”This rigorous professional training provides our newest firefighters with the basic skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely,” he said.Bagnell, 27, a Swampscott native currently living in Marblehead, was most recently employed as a 911 dispatcher in Marblehead.Bagnell said he has wanted to be a firefighter as long as he can remember.”This is what I was meant to do,” he said. “I don’t miss sitting behind a dispatch desk. This is my career and I want to be here for a long time.”Vousboukis, 26, a Lynn native who lives in Swampscott, said joining the department was a dream come true for him because he has wanted to be a firefighter since he was a child.Vousboukis, who was formerly employed at Meatland in Lynn and has his own construction business, said he considers himself extremely lucky being able to serve on the fire department in the community he resides in.The two vacancies in the department were created when former Chief Richard Carmody retired and Lt. David Marsh left for employment elsewhere. Fire Chief Michael Champion said Vousboukis and Bagnell are welcome additions to the department.