The Watertown Fire Department recently welcomed its newest graduate from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy.
On April 24, 2020, Firefighter Jake Louro graduated from the Academy’s 10 week training program, said Watertown Fire Chief Bob Quinn.
“Firefighter Louro has returned to the firehouse to serve the citizens of Watertown,” Quinn said. “Due to the COVID-19 situation the graduation ceremony was limited to the graduates only. We are very excited to have him back.”
Fire Academy Announcement
State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey and Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Director David C. Evans announced the completion of the 282 nd class of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s fifty-day Career Recruit Firefighter Training Program.
“This is the third class to graduate in these uncertain times with the entire nation facing a pandemic,” said State Fire Marshal Ostroskey. “First responders are on the frontlines protecting their communities and these new firefighters are needed more now than ever.” MFA Director Evans said, “This rigorous professional training provides our newest firefighters with the basic skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely.”
The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA), a division of the Department of Fire Services, offers this program tuition-free.
33 Graduates from 24 Fire Departments
The 33 graduates represent the 24 fire departments of Bedford, Beverly, Bourne, Burlington, Cohasset, Concord, Devens, Easton, Hingham, Holbrook, Leominster, Lexington, Middleton, Norwell, Plymouth,
Salem, Shrewsbury, Somerville, Watertown, West Barnstable, Westford, Weston, Winchester, and Yarmouth.
Today’s Firefighters Do Far More than Fight Fires
Today’s firefighters do far more than fight fires. They are the first ones called to respond to chemical and environmental emergencies, ranging from the suspected presence of carbon monoxide to 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.
At the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, they learn all these skills and more from certified fire instructors who are also experienced firefighters. Students learn all the basic skills they need to respond to, contain and control fires. They receive training in public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management, confined space rescue techniques, and rappelling.
The intensive, ten-week program for municipal firefighters involves classroom instruction, physical fitness training, firefighter skills training, and live firefighting practice.
Basic Firefighter Skills
Students receive classroom training in all basic firefighter skills. They practice first under non-fire conditions and then during controlled fire conditions. To graduate, students must demonstrate proficiency in life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation, and fire attack. Fire attack operations range from mailbox fires to multiple-floor or multiple-room structural fires. Upon successful completion of the Recruit Program all students have met 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.