Official websites use .mass.gov
A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts.
Secure websites use HTTPS certificate
A lock icon ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the official website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state
Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state
STOW — State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey and Deputy State Fire Marshal Maribel Fournier, acting director of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA), announced the graduation of 28 recruits from the MFA Call/Volunteer Recruit Firefighter Training Program. The graduates received certificates of completion at a ceremony held this evening at Department of Fire Services, Stow Campus.
Call/Volunteer Recruit Firefighter Training Class #99
The 28 graduates represent the 17 fire departments of Boxborough, Douglas, Dover, Grafton, Hardwick, Haverhill, Lunenburg, Mendon, Northbridge, Paxton, Princeton, Royalston, Sherborn, Shrewsbury, Stow, Tisbury, and Weston.
“First responders are on the front lines of any crisis and these newest firefighters are needed now more than ever,” said Deputy State Fire Marshal Fournier, who is the acting MFA director. “The rigorous training they’ve completed provides them with the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary to protect their communities safely and effectively.”
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. Making the training more accessible means more firefighters can participate and allows them more time to practice training skills with instructors.
The MFA, a division of the Department of Fire Services, has offered the program since 2003. To date, nearly 3,000 call and volunteer recruits have graduated.
Today’s Firefighters Do Far More than Fight Fires
Today’s firefighters do far more than fight fires. They train to respond to all types of hazards and emergencies. They are the first ones called to respond to chemical and environmental emergencies, ranging from the suspected presence of carbon monoxide to Fentanyl overdoses or 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, including the latest science of fire behavior and suppression tactics, from certified fire instructors. They also receive training in public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management, and self-rescue techniques. The intensive program involves classroom instruction, physical fitness training, firefighter skills training, and live firefighting practice.
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.
Graduates have completed 240 hours of training on nights and weekends. Upon successful completion of this program, all students have met the standards of National Fire Protection Association 1001. In addition, they have the ability to become certified to the level of Firefighter I and 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.
We will use this information to improve the site.
Do not include sensitive information, such as Social Security or bank account numbers.
Would you like to provide additional feedback to help improve Mass.gov?
How much do you agree with the following statements in the scale of 1, Strongly Disagree, to 5, Strongly Agree ?
If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site.