Seekonk Fire Department Recruit Graduates from State Firefighting Academy

Along with 21 other firefighters-in-training, Kyle P. Laprade of Seekonk Fire Department, graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy in Stow last Friday.

The nine-week Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program, offered tuition-free by the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA), consisted of firefighter skill training taught by experienced and certified fire instructors. It covered classroom instruction, physical fitness training, firefighter skills training and live firefighting practice.

The MFA’s 22 graduates were from 14 local fire departments including Attleboro, Lynnfield, Seekonk and Wakefield.

“This rigorous professional training provides our newest firefighters with the basic skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely,” Deputy State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey said.

At MFA, students learned how to perform basic firefighter duties such as life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation, and fire attack operations.

The graduation ceremony took place at the Department of Fire Services in Stow. MFA instructor and Dracut Fire Chief David Brouillette was the guest speaker.

These 22 graduates all have met the national standards of National Fire Protection Association 1001 and are now certified to the level of Firefighter I and II, as well as a Hazardous Materials First Responder Operational Level by the Massachusetts Fire Training Council.