York County Chiefs Association Shares Success of Firefighter Training

ALFRED — The York County Chiefs Association is proud to report the success of a five-month training in basic and advanced firefighting skills that will prepare graduates for modern fire service.

Twenty students completed the training in Firefighter 1 & 2 skills, which was held from Jan. 11 to May 25 both in Biddeford and in online classes.

Following classroom instruction, students participated in numerous hands-on scenarios to reinforce best practices and techniques. Hands-on training included Ladders, Tactical Ventilation, Forcible Entry, Structural Search, Fire Control, Vehicle Extrication, Vehicle Fires, Class B Burn and Structural Burn, and Hazardous Materials Response.

Instructors were: Kennebunkport EMS Chief of Operations Joe Carroll, Biddeford Capt. Justin Cooper, Maine Fire Service Institute Instructor David Hamel, Kennebunk Firefighter Jeff Goodness, Biddeford Firefighter-Paramedic Rob Lang, Kennebunk Paramedic Matt Leach, Saco Deputy Chief Raynald Legendre, Saco Deputy Chief Rob Martin, Dover firefighter Matt McLean, Waterville Firefighter/EMT Al Nygren, Biddeford Lt. Derick Ouellette, Saco Firefighter/Paramedic Pat Sarto, Sanford Lt. Harold Smith, and Portland Firefighter Dan Verrill.

Graduates will report to stations in the Alfred, Biddeford, Goodwin’s Mills, Old Orchard Beach, Kittery, Kezar Falls, Limerick, Saco, Sanford and Shapleigh Fire Departments.

“The graduates have excelled in learning both the basics of fire service and of a wide range of operational duties,” said Nathan Schools, York County Chiefs Association President and Buxton Fire Rescue Chief. “By earning Firefighter 1 & 2 certification, graduates have shown they can perform at a high level and are prepared to become the best firefighter they can be.”