For Immediate Release

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003

Groveland Firefighter Graduates from Massachusetts Firefighting Academy

GROVELAND — Interim Fire Chief Richard York is pleased to announce that Michael Neenan graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy last week.

Firefighter Neenan graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Call/Volunteer Recruit Firefighting Training program Class 74. He was recognized along with 23 other graduates during a ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 28 at Masconomet Regional Middle School in Boxford.

Firefighter Neenan was born in West Newbury and moved to Groveland in 2002. He joined the Groveland Fire Department in July 2018 and will begin working towards his EMT certification this May.

“On behalf of the entire department, I congratulate Firefighter Neenan for completing this challenging program,” Interim Chief York said. “The skills learned at the academy will be invaluable in serving and protecting the residents of Groveland.”

During the training, firefighters learned the basic skills they need to respond to fires, including how to contain and control them, public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management, firefighter self-rescue and vehicle extrication.

To graduate, firefighters were required to complete 240 hours of training, all on nights and weekends, while demonstrating proficiency in life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation and fire attack in situations ranging from mailbox fires to multiple-floor or multi-room structural fires.

The other 23 graduates represent the fire departments of Boxford, Essex, Georgetown, Ipswich, Lynnfield, Rockport, Sherborn, Tyngsborough, Wenham, West Newbury and Weston.

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