LYNNFIELD — Call/Volunteer Recruit Class #117 celebrated their graduation from Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s (MFA) Call/Volunteer Recruit Firefighter Training Program Tuesday evening at Lynnfield Middle School.
The 21 recruits represent the fire departments of Essex, Hamilton, Haverhill, Lincoln, Lynnfield, Nahant, Newburyport, Topsfield, and Wenham.
The master of ceremonies for the graduation was MFA Deputy Director of Training Dennis A. Ball, who introduced the presiding officer of the ceremony, State Fire Marshal Jon Davine, and the chiefs of all nine departments represented in class #117.
After the graduating recruits entered and the presentment of the state colors, two invocations were given by Fire Chaplain Rev. Sean Bendigo.
“I want class #117 to know that you stand in a long line of firefighters who have your back, those that have gone on before us,” Bendigo said. “I want you to think of the firefighter that inspired you.”
Next, Ball spoke on the services the MFA provides each year, including training more than 13,000 firefighters each year at every level, from recruits to chief officers, and introduced the figures on stage with him.
“The Department of Fire Services works with local fire departments, regulated industries, and the public to help our communities stay safe,” Ball said. “The person responsible for leading this vital public safety agency is our state fire marshal, Jon Davine.”
Ball then introduced Call Volunteer Assistant Program Coordinator and Chief of the Leicester Fire Department Michael Dupuis, Call Volunteer Assistant Program Coordinator and Captain of the Swansea Fire Department Bruce Fantone, and Call Volunteer Program Coordinator and Chief of the Easthampton Fire Department Christopher Norris.
“Our academy’s instructors, as well as support staff, is comprised entirely of active duty or retired firefighters. They are truly fire service professionals,” Ball said. “These men and women have chosen to share their knowledge with the next generations. There is absolutely zero substitute for the many decades of fireground experience that they bring to this program.”
He followed this by summarizing the MFA’s philosophy for the audience with two statements: “Amateurs train until they get it right. Professionals train until they can’t get it wrong.”
According to the DFS, students receive classroom training in all basic firefighter skills, first practicing under non-fire conditions and then during controlled fire conditions, totaling 240 hours of training.
The Call/Volunteer Firefighter Recruit Training Program is unique in that it delivers a standard recruit training curriculum, meeting national standards, on nights and weekends to accommodate the schedule of firefighters in suburban and rural areas.
By making the training more accessible, the MFA allows more firefighters to participate and allows them more time to practice training skills with instructors.
Norris spoke to the skills students must demonstrate proficiency in, including life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation, and fire attack. The fire attack operations range from mailbox fires to multiple-floor or multiple room structural fires.
Upon successful completion of this program, all students have met the national standards of National Fire Protection Association 1001, “Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications”.
In addition, they have the ability to become certified to the level of Firefighter I/II and Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations Level by the Massachusetts Fire Training Council, which is accredited by the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications.
“More than two thirds of the communities in the commonwealth are protected by call or volunteer firefighters,” Devine said. “You are vital to the fire service and a key partner in keeping our communities safe… I admire your dedication and your willingness to serve in addition to your work and family commitments”
As the 21 graduates were called onto the stage to receive their diplomas and shake hands with their respective department chiefs and Devine to the sound of thunderous applause, many were joined by active or retired firefighter family members, demonstrating the deep meaning this achievement has for the recruits.
At the end of the ceremony, Devine presented the Martin H. McNamara Outstanding Student Award to graduate Ryan Wentworth of the Haverhill Fire Department.
Named for Martin “Marty” McNamara V, a call firefighter with the Lancaster Fire Department who lost his life in the line of duty in 2003 while battling a fire in a multifamily home, the award recognizes the academic and practical skills, testing, and evaluations of one recruit over the course of the program.
Also recognized was Richard Muniz of the Lynnfield Fire Department, who acted as the class spokesperson, a role that is selected by academy instructors to be responsible for all class leadership and all communication between recruits and the academy staff.
“We’ve pushed through a lot in these past five months. Heat, exhaustion, doubt, we’ve literally faced fire and smoke, but more importantly we’ve faced the responsibility that comes with this job,” Muniz said. “It’s been a wild road, and Class #117 could not have done it without everyone in this room.”
Finally, Muniz and the reset of the class presented a plaque to their instructors to be displayed on the academy’s campus, an eternal reminder of the gratitude the 21 recruits have for the people who helped them through this achievement.
