PLYMOUTH — Chief Neil Foley is pleased to announce that three Plymouth firefighters graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA) on Friday, Sept. 29.
Firefighters Scott LaPlante, Sean McManus, and Andrew Moss were among 24 graduates from 14 fire departments who attended the Academy’s Career Recruit Firefighter Training Program Class #314. The graduates completed the 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program at the Stow campus.
The graduation ceremony was attended by Chief Foley, other members of the department, and the recruits’ families and friends.
During the ceremony, Firefighter LaPlante was awarded the Richard N. Bangs Award, presented to the outstanding student of the MFA Recruit Class #314. This selection is based on LaPlante’s achievement in both academic exams and practical skills throughout the course of the program.
“On behalf of the department, I would like to congratulate Firefighters LaPlante, McManus and Moss,” said Chief Foley. “All three did an excellent job at the Academy and we are looking forward to their return and wish them a long and healthy career.”
The program teaches the essentials of fire and non-fire conditions, life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation and fire attack. The Graduates are now certified at the level of Firefighter I and II and in hazardous material operation.
“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 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.”
The other 21 graduates represent the fire departments of Acton, Bellingham, Charlton, Gloucester, Lawrence, Littleton, Milton, North Andover, Orleans, Revere, Rockland, Tewksbury, and Weston.
About The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy:
At the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, firefighter recruits learn a wide range of skills in an intensive 10-week program. Certified and more experienced firefighters lead classroom instruction, physical fitness training, firefighter skills training and firefighting practice. Students are given training in public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management, confined space rescue techniques and rappelling. Upon successful completion of the Recruit Program, all students have met national standards of National Fire Protection Association 1001.
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