Gloucester Fire Department Welcomes Three New Firefighters Who Graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy

GLOUCESTER — The Gloucester Fire Department is welcoming three new graduates of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, each of whom already has experience working as an EMT. 

Firefighter/EMTs Lucas Trabucco, Justin Burge, and Jeremy Abreu graduated with Class 339 from the 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy on May 1. 

Completing the academy was the final step toward becoming a Firefighter/EMT in Gloucester. 

Firefighter/EMT Abreu grew up in Gloucester and graduated from Gloucester High School before attending the University of Louisville. He has previously worked as an EMT. He follows in the footsteps of his father, Joel Abreu, who is a lieutenant with the Lynn Fire Department. 

Firefighter/EMT Trabucco grew up in Burlington and moved to Gloucester three years ago. He has previously worked as both an EMT and an electrician. 

Firefighter/EMT Burge grew up in Burlington before serving for five years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He has previously worked as an EMT. 

Firefighter/EMTs Trabucco, Burge and Abreu were among 31 firefighters who graduated from Class 339 at the Academy. 

The Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program provides classroom training in all basic firefighter skills. Students practice first under non-fire conditions and then during controlled fire conditions. To graduate, students must 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.

Upon successful completion of the Career Recruit Program, all students have met the national standards of NFPA 1010, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, and are certified to the levels of Firefighter I/II and Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations by the Massachusetts Fire Training Council, which is accredited by the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications.

All three men will now pursue their paramedic certifications. 

“We are pleased to welcome these three experienced EMTs to the department,” said Chief Eric Smith. “The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s experienced instructors do an excellent job of preparing individuals for the job ahead.”