SPRINGFIELD—A Westfield firefighter-paramedic was among the 21 graduates from the fifth class of the Massachusetts Fire Academy’s Recruit Firefighting Training Program in Springfield.
Westfield firefighter-paramedic Cody Chatterton graduated with 21 other men from 10 departments across the western Massachusetts area yesterday, culminating a 50-day training program at the Springfield location. With Chatterton finishing, the Westfield Fire Department will be back to full staff, according to Westfield Fire Chief Mary Regan.
A photo provided by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services of the 21 Fire Academy graduates.
“We will be full staff for the first time in a long time, and no one will be away for school,” Regan said. “Very excited, it’s about time.”
According to Regan, there are still unspecified injuries, but aside from those the department is at full staff. In addition, there is no expectation to hire any new personnel in the near future.
She said that the full staffing could have positive impacts on the department, both from a public safety and from a personnel perspective.
“This will not only affect responses but workload,” she said.
Regarding the training, Regan said that it gives firefighters a chance to gain practical experience in the field, which is valuable in today’s firefighting.
“Firefighting today requires a lot more skills than just the basics,” she said.
These skills include safety, decision-making, how to operate a variety of tools and apparatus, as well as working in what is known as “turnout gear,” or the heavy protective clothing and equipment that is worn when firefighters are responding to certain emergencies.
From a press release by the Department of Fire Services on the graduation:
“Students learn all the basic skills they need to respond to fires and to contain and control them. They are also given 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.
Chatteron was previously appointed to the department on April 3 by the Westfield Fire Commission.
