BERKLEY — Chief Jason Perry of the Berkley Fire and Rescue Department is pleased to report that three Berkley firefighters graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy on Tuesday.
Berkley firefighters Kevin Vaughan, Zack Strese, and Jason Holdsworth were among 22 graduates from the Call/Volunteer Recruit Class #115. The graduates received certificates of completion at a ceremony held Tuesday evening at the Matthew J. Kuss Middle School in Fall River. In addition to Berkley Fire, graduates represented the fire departments of Avon, Dartmouth Fire District 1, Dartmouth Fire District 2, Dartmouth Fire District 3, Dighton, Freetown, Kingston, Lincoln, Plympton, and Swansea.
Video of the ceremony can be found here.
“I commend our graduates on completing their rigorous training and thank them for their decision to serve our community,” Chief Perry said. “Our new three firefighters will be an invaluable addition to the team, and I look forward to working with them.”
At the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, recruits learned about the latest science of fire behavior and suppression tactics. They received training in public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management, and self-rescue techniques. The intensive program involved classroom instruction, physical fitness training, firefighter skills training, and live firefighting practice.
To graduate, students needed to 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 national standards of NFPA 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.
“Massachusetts firefighters are on the frontlines protecting their communities every day, and today’s graduates are needed now more than ever,” said State Fire Marshal Jon Davine. “The hundreds of hours of foundational training they’ve received will provide them with the physical, mental, and technical skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely.”
“Massachusetts Firefighting Academy instructors draw on decades of experience in the fire service to train new recruits,” said MFA Deputy Director of Training Dennis A. Ball. “Through consistent classroom instruction and practical exercises, tonight’s graduates have developed the tools they’ll need to protect their communities.”
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