Six Swansea firefighters were among 26 graduates from the Call/Volunteer Recruit Class #122. From left to right, top row, Shane Neto, Jacob Dillon, Jared Koger and Shane Justice; bottom row, Logan Estes and Maicon Vilas-Boas. (Photo Courtesy Massachusetts Department of Fire Services)
SWANSEA — Chief Eric Hajder of the Swansea Fire Department is pleased to report that six Swansea firefighters graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy on Wednesday, Nov. 6.
Swansea firefighters Shane Neto, Jacob Dillon, Jared Koger, Shane Justice, Logan Estes and Maicon Vilas-Boas were among 26 graduates from the Call/Volunteer Recruit Class #122.
“I’d like to congratulate all three of our recruits who worked hard to complete the Call/Volunteer training program,” Chief Hajder said. “They’re now equipped with some of the foundational training they’ll need to protect life and property in the Town of Swansea.”
The graduates received certificates of completion at a ceremony held Wednesday evening at the Department of Fire Services’ Bridgewater campus, where the class was based.
“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 Davine. “The hundreds of hours of foundational training they’ve received on nights and weekends will provide them with the physical, mental, and technical skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely.”
In addition to Swansea, the graduating firefighters of Call/Volunteer Recruit Class #122 represent the fire departments of Acushnet, Dartmouth Fire District 1, Dartmouth Fire District 2, Dartmouth Fire District 3, Dighton, Lakeville, Marion, Plympton, Rehoboth, West Bridgewater and Westport.
“Massachusetts Firefighting Academy instructors draw on decades of experience in the fire service to train new recruits,” said Academy Director JP Seivane. “Through consistent classroom instruction and practical exercises, tonight’s graduates have developed the tools they’ll need to protect themselves, their communities, and each other.”
The Call/Volunteer Firefighter Recruit Training Program provides the standard
recruit training curriculum, meeting national standards, but on nights and weekends to accommodate the schedule of firefighters who work or go to school full-time. The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, a division of the Department of Fire Services, has offered the training program since 2003, and more than 3,000 call and volunteer recruits have graduated since then.
The Call/Volunteer Firefighter Recruit Training Program requires graduate to complete 240 hours of training on nights and weekends, meeting national standards for professional qualifications.
“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,” according to a statement from the Department of Fire Services. “They also receive training in public fire safety 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.”
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Chief Eric Hajder of the Swansea Fire Department is pleased to report that six Swansea firefighters graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy as part of the Call/Volunteer Recruit Class #122. (Photo Courtesy Massachusetts Department of Fire Services)
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