For Immediate Release

Monday, June 18, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Two Gloucester Firefighters Graduate from Massachusetts Firefighting Academy

GLOUCESTER —  Chief Eric Smith is pleased to announce that two Gloucester firefighters graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy last week, and are now following in their fathers’ footsteps by joining the Gloucester Fire Department.

On Friday, June 15, Matthew Aiello and James Hannon III were among the 35 firefighters from 22 fire departments to graduate from the academy’s 264th class. Graduates were recognized at a ceremony at the Department of Fire Services headquarters in Stow.

The 10-week program teaches the essentials of fire and non-fire conditions, life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation and fire attack.

Both individuals are now certified at the level of Firefighter I and II and in hazardous material operation.

Firefighter and Paramedic Hannon, age 31, graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and attended Pro Center for Medics for his paramedic training. He is the son of Gloucester Firefighter James Hannon II.

Firefighter and Paramedic Aiello, age 31, graduated from the Northern Essex Community College paramedic program. He is the son of retired Assistant Chief Tom Aiello.

“Graduating from the academy is a significant accomplishment,” said Chief Smith. “It takes a lot of hard work to learn all the skills necessary to be a firefighter. I am proud of both of our graduates and look forward to having them a part of our department.”

The other 33 graduates represented the fire departments of Avon, Bridgewater, Burlington, Danvers, Devens, East Bridgewater, Gloucester, Hyannis, Marblehead, Milton, Nantucket, Natick, Newton, North Andover, Peabody, Sandwich, Seekonk, Somerville, Truro, Walpole, Watertown and Westminster.

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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