Firefighter Soell graduated from the academy’s Career Recruit Firefighter Training Program Class #301 today, May 20. (Photo courtesy Plymouth Fire Department) 
Firefighter Soell graduated alongside members of the Arlington, Bellingham, Chelsea, Ipswich, Lynn, Malden, Natick, Stoughton and Tewksbury fire departments. (Photo courtesy Massachusetts Fire Academy)
PLYMOUTH — Chief Neil Foley, on behalf of the Plymouth Fire Department, congratulates Firefighter Andrew Soell upon his graduation from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy today.
Firefighter Soell was among 24 firefighters from 10 departments to graduate from the academy’s Career Recruit Firefighter Training Program Class #301 today, May 20. 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. Firefighters Soell is now certified at the level of Firefighter I and II and in hazardous material operation.
“We are extremely proud of Firefighter Soell for successfully graduating from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy today,” Chief Foley said. “Firefighter Soell has deep ties within the Plymouth community and we look forward to watching him continue to serve his community in a new capacity.”
Firefighter Soell was appointed to the department on Sept. 7, 2021. Prior to joining the Plymouth Fire Department, Soell served the Plymouth community as a member of the Plymouth Police Department since 2014.
He is a graduate of Plymouth South High School Class of 2004. Upon his graduation, Firefighter Soell went on to join the U.S. Coast Guard. During his time in the Coast Guard, he earned several medals and awards, including receiving two USCG Commandant’s Letters of Commendation for his service.
At the ceremony today in Stow, Firefighter Soell’s brother, Plymouth Fire Capt. Joshua Soell, assisted with presenting him his diploma.
Upon his graduation, Firefighter Soell will be assigned to Engine Company 1 Group 2 at the Headquarters Station.
The other 24 graduates represent the fire departments of Arlington, Bellingham, Chelsea, Ipswich, Lynn, Malden, Natick, Stoughton and Tewksbury.
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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