Firefighter Joshua Schrader. (Courtesy Photo Maynard Fire/Department of Fire Services)
MAYNARD — Chief Anthony Stowers is pleased to announce that a member of the Maynard Fire Department graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy today.
Firefighter Joshua Schrader was among 35 firefighters from 20 departments to graduate from the academy’s Career Recruit Firefighter Training Program Class 279 on Friday, Jan. 10. Graduates were recognized at a ceremony at the Department of Fire Services headquarters in Stow.
Schrader, a former Marine from Pepperell, had been working as a per diem firefighter in Boxborough prior to joining the Maynard Fire Department. While at the academy, Firefighter Schrader was elected as the class president and, in his remarks at today’s ceremony, impressed upon his classmates the importance of pursuing continued training throughout their careers.
“We’re proud of Josh’s accomplishment and are looking forward to having him join our department as a full-time firefighter,” Chief Stowers said. “Firefighters do much more than fight fires, and the academy’s deep training regimen reflects the diverse set of responsibilities that Josh and all of our members fulfill on any given day.”
Modern firefighters are the first ones called to respond to chemical and environmental emergencies, ranging from the suspected presence of carbon monoxide to 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.
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. They also undergo rigorous training in areas like hazardous materials mitigation, stress management, confined space rescue techniques and more.
The other graduates represent the fire departments of Arlington, Acton, Bedford, Beverly, Concord, Hingham, Hopedale, Ipswich, Leominster, Lexington, Lynn, Manchester, Mansfield, Marshfield, Melrose, Rockland, Sudbury, Taunton and Yarmouth.
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.