LYNN — Three Lynn firefighters/EMTs graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy on Monday.
Jovany Mira, Ariel Amin Tejeda, and Desmond Terrill Avery were three of the 31 graduates from the academy’s Class 325 of the 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program. The class represented 18 fire departments from across the Commonwealth.
“We are very proud of our three new recruits. They started their journey this past August with Captain Power (the department’s training Captain) and went to the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy in September where they learned many of the firefighting skills they will use to help keep the citizens of Lynn safe. I’d like to personally congratulate them and welcome them to our firefighting family,” Lynn Chief Daniel Sullivan said.
Students at the academy receive classroom training in all basic firefighter skills and practice under non-fire conditions before practicing under controlled fire conditions. Students must show proficiency in life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, and pump operation to graduate.
“Massachusetts firefighters are on the frontlines protecting their communities every day, and today’s graduates are needed now more than ever,” State Fire Marshal Jon Davine said. “The hundreds of hours of foundational training they’ve received will provide them with the physical, mental, and technical skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely.”
“Massachusetts Firefighting Academy instructors draw on decades of experience in the fire service to train new recruits,” Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Deputy Director Dennis A. Ball 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.”
