Gloucester Fire Department and City of Gloucester Welcome Two New Firefighters

GLOUCESTER — The City of Gloucester and Gloucester Fire Department want to congratulate two new firefighters who graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program

Firefighter/EMT Kyle Hurst and Firefighter/EMT Nick Rodriguez graduated on Monday, Dec. 1, with Class #344. They were among 28 firefighters who graduated from the 50-day program. 

Over the course of the program, students received extensive classroom training in all basic firefighter skills, practicing under non-fire conditions and during controlled fire conditions. Graduates showed proficiency in life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation, and fire attack, ranging from mailbox fires to multi-floor structural fires.

“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 M. 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.”

Firefighter/EMT Hurst is a native of Rockport. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology from the University of Southern Maine. Following college, Firefighter/EMT Hurst served five years as an infantryman with the U.S. Army’s 2nd Ranger Battalion, where he deployed to both Afghanistan and Syria in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel and Operation Inherent Resolve. Upon returning home, he worked as an EMT on the North Shore. 

Firefighter/EMT Hurst intends to begin paramedic training next year. 

Firefighter/EMT Nick Rodriguez grew up in Malden and Everett, and graduated from Everett High School. After high school, Firefighter/EMT Rodriguez served for five years in the U.S. Marine Corps as a tactical data network system specialist. He deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. After being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, Firefighter/EMT Rodriguez worked in information technology until 2023, when he obtained his EMT-B certification and began working for Cataldo Ambulance.

Firefighter/EMT Rodriguez intends to begin paramedic training next year. 

“I’m pleased to welcome two highly-qualified veterans to the ranks of the Gloucester Fire Department,” said Chief Eric Smith. “Both of these men served our country with distinction, and now the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy has prepared them to keep the City of Gloucester safe. I look forward to seeing where their careers will take them.”

“Congratulations to our two new firefighters on graduating from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. We’re proud to welcome them to the Gloucester Fire Department, and the skills and training they’ve gained will be a tremendous asset to our community,” said Mayor Greg Verga. “We continue to make strong investments in our public safety departments, and I’m proud of the progress we’ve made.”