MA Firefighting Academy graduates John McVeigh of Huntington and Derek Daudelin of Blandford. (Submitted photo)
Hilltowns – John McVeigh of the Huntington Fire Department and Derek Daudelin of the Blandford Fire Department were among the graduates who completed 240 hours of training on nights and weekends from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy on Monday. State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey and Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Director David C. Evans presented certificates of completion to the 25 members of the Call/Volunteer Recruit Firefighter Training Class #66 at the Department of Fire Services’ Springfield campus.
The graduates, 19 men and 6 women, represent the 15 fire departments of: Adams, Amherst, Blandford, Dalton, Deerfield, East Longmeadow, Hadley, Hatfield, Huntington, Orange, South Hadley Dist. 1, Southampton, Southwick, Ware, and West Stockbridge.
John McVeigh of Huntington Fire receives certificate of completion from Asst. Chief Josh Ellinger and State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey. (Submitted photo)
Students received classroom training in all basic firefighter skills, 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 this program, all students have met the standards of National Fire Protection Association 1001. In addition they receive certification as Firefighter I and II and Hazardous Materials First Responder by the Massachusetts Fire Training Council, which is accredited by the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications.
