LYNN — After 10 weeks of full-time training, a class of 24 firefighters graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy in Stow, including six members of the Lynn Fire Department: Daniel Kane, 26, Corey Wojewodzic, 25, Samuel Hill, 30, James Mamos, 33, Phong Nguyen, 26, and Lamont Milton, 45. Family and friends joined to celebrate with them at a one-hour ceremony.
Mamos was the class president and delivered a speech at the graduation ceremony.
“They are a great group,” said District Chief Joseph Zukas, spokesperson for the department. “We are proud to have them.”
The newly recruited firefighters studied all aspects of firefighting 40 hours a week, both in the classroom and through a hands-on training program, including fire science, tactics and strategies, equipment and apparatus, search and rescue, motor vehicle accidents, hazardous materials, and other topics, Zukas said.
They have learned to drive the apparatus, use ladders, engines, hoses, and jaws of life, and to carry victims out of burning buildings.
“The academy was an eye opening experience which showed me the dedication and brotherhood that the fire service involves,” said Hill, who used to be a teacher and a football coach at Lynn English High School.
The six new firefighters were recruited in July 2021, but had to wait to attend the firefighting academy because of a backlog in training that the COVID-19 pandemic had created. They will be finishing their one year probation period in less than two months, according to Zukas.
“By all accounts these recruits did quite well in their training and will be assigned to one of the 6 fire houses in Lynn as of Sunday morning,” said Zukas.
Nguyen, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps and is currently serving in the National Guard said that he always wanted to do more for the community that he grew up in and that has motivated him to become a firefighter.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to attend the fire academy with the group that I graduated with. The academy brought us closer and created a strong bond between us all,” Nguyen said.
The Item’s former reporter Kane said he was inspired by his father, uncle, and grandfather, all of whom were members of the LFD, to follow in their footsteps.
“This time at the academy has been unforgettable and prepared us well to be the best firefighters we can be for the city of Lynn. I know we are all excited to serve the community,” said Kane.
Alena Kuzub can be reached at [email protected].
