Reading Firefighters Brian Sculley, Karl Granoth and Lindsey Gartner graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy on Friday, April 8 . The Ceremony was attended by Reading Fire Department Leadership and the Town Manager. Firefighter Karl Granoth received the Richard N. Bangs Award for Outstanding Recruit.
This prestigious award is competitively selected by the instructors and is given to the student based upon achievements in both academic exams and practical skills. Congratulations to Firefighter Karl Granoth on this achievement! Our new Firefighters will begin the Reading Fire Department’s two-week training and orientation period on Monday, April 11.
New Reading Fire Fighters:
Brian Sculley
Karl Granoth
Lindsey Gartner
43 Recruits Represent 25 Fire Departments
State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey and Deputy State Fire Marshal Maribel Fournier announced the graduation of 43 firefighters from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy today. Graduates completed the 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program at two campuses: Class #300 trained at the Stow campus and Class #BW18 trained at the Bridgewater campus.
“First responders are on the frontlines protecting their communities, and these newest firefighters are needed now more than ever,” said State Fire Marshal Ostroskey. “The rigorous professional training they’ve received provides them with the physical, mental, and technical skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely.”
Class #300 (Stow): 25 Graduates from 13 Fire Departments
| Career Recruit Class 300 Student List | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Name | Last Name | Department/Organization |
| Kevin | Bosse | Andover Fire Department |
| Jeremiah | Manfra | Andover Fire Department |
| Christopher | Swiniuch | Beverly Fire Department |
| Paul | Hayes | Clinton Fire Department |
| Adam | Martell | Clinton Fire Department |
| Colin | Plasko | Clinton Fire Department |
| Trevor | Seaboyer | Clinton Fire Department |
| Daniel | Powers | Dracut Fire Department |
| Bernardo | Resto Salgado | Dracut Fire Department |
| Daniel | Arzate Aguilar | Malden Fire Department |
| Zachary | DeFaria | Malden Fire Department |
| Ralph | Thelemaque | Malden Fire Department |
| Daniel | Trentsch | Malden Fire Department |
| Sean | Davis | Methuen Fire Department |
| Shannon | Fitzgerald | Methuen Fire Department |
| Christopher | Fritschy | Methuen Fire Department |
| Michael | Trevisone | Needham Fire Department |
| Justin | Aylaian | North Andover Fire Department |
| Corey | Cunniff | Plymouth Fire Department |
| Lindsey | Gartner | Reading Fire Department |
| Karl | Granoth | Reading Fire Department |
| Brian | Sculley | Reading Fire Department |
| Patrick | Fagan | Sudbury Fire Department |
| Jeffrey | Hall | Wellfleet Fire Department |
| Michael | Lemoine | Westminster Fire Department |
The 25 firefighters of Class #300 represent the fire departments of Andover, Beverly, Clinton, Dracut, Malden, Methuen, Needham, North Andover, Plymouth, Reading, Sudbury, Wellfleet, and Westminster.
Basic Firefighter Skills
Students receive classroom training in all basic firefighter skills. They 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 Recruit Program all students have met the national standards of National Fire Protection Association 1001 and are certified to the level of Firefighter I and II, and Hazardous Materials First Responder Operational Level by the Massachusetts Fire Training Council, which is accredited by the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications.
Today’s Firefighters Do Far More than Fight Fires
Today’s firefighters do far more than fight fires. They train to respond to all types of hazards and emergencies. They are the first ones called to respond to chemical and environmental emergencies, ranging from the suspected presence of carbon monoxide to Fentanyl overdoses or a gas leak. They may be called to rescue a child who has fallen through the ice or who has locked himself in a bathroom. They rescue people from stalled elevators and those who are trapped in vehicle crashes. They test and maintain their equipment including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), hydrants, hoses, power tools, and apparatus.
At the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, they learn all these skills and more, including the latest science of fire behavior and suppression tactics, from certified fire instructors. They also receive training in public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management, and self-rescue techniques. The intensive, 10-week program for municipal firefighters involves classroom instruction, physical fitness training, firefighter skills training, and live firefighting practice.
