27 local firefighters graduate from Massachusetts Firefighting Academy
The graduates of Call/Volunteer Recruit Class #116 were honored during a ceremony at the Academy's main campus in Stow.
The class represents fire departments from 15 communities, including Carlisle, Dover, Grafton, Harvard, Holliston, Hopedale, Lancaster, Mendon, Millis, Millville, Norfolk, Northbridge, Pepperell, Sherborn, and Sterling.
'Massachusetts firefighters are on the frontlines protecting their communities every day, and today's graduates are needed now more than ever,' said Davine. 'The hundreds of hours of training they've completed on nights and weekends have prepared them with the physical, mental, and technical skills they need to perform their jobs safely. This is a tremendous accomplishment, and I'm especially proud of Deputy State Fire Marshal Fournier, who completed this program while continuing her leadership responsibilities with our agency.'
Fournier, representing the Sterling Fire Department, has served as Deputy State Fire Marshal since 2017 and previously led the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy as acting director. In her time with the Department of Fire Services (DFS), she has overseen major projects, including facility expansions in Stow and Springfield and the development of DFS's newest campus in Bridgewater. Fournier also played a critical role in expanding remote learning options during the COVID-19 pandemic.
'The instructors at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy bring decades of experience to new recruits,' said Dennis A. Ball, Deputy Director of Training for the Academy. 'Through a mix of classroom lessons and hands-on training, these graduates have built the essential skills they will need to keep their communities safe.'
During the ceremony, Firefighter Christopher Watson of the Norfolk Fire Department was recognized with the Martin H. McNamara Outstanding Student Award. Named in honor of Martin 'Marty' McNamara V, a Lancaster call firefighter who died in the line of duty in 2003, the award honors recruits who excel in academics, practical skills, and overall performance during training.
A recording of the graduation ceremony will be available on the Department of Fire Services' YouTube channel. The Call/Volunteer Recruit Firefighter Training Program is specifically designed for those serving in call and volunteer departments, offering the same rigorous curriculum as full-time firefighter training while accommodating participants' work and school schedules. Since its launch in 2003, more than 3,000 firefighters have graduated from the program, which helps prepare first responders in smaller communities to protect lives and property.
The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy operates under the Department of Fire Services and provides training programs to support fire departments statewide.
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