DRACUT — Fire Chief Richard Patterson and the Dracut Fire Department are pleased to report that a new firefighter has joined the Department after graduating from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy.
Firefighter Ryan Charette, a Dracut native, graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program on Friday with the Academy’s 305th class.
The 50-day program prepares firefighters for basic firefighting, including search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation, fire attack and life safety lessons, as well as non-fire responses and hazardous material response.
“The rigorous professional training they’ve received provides them with the physical, mental, and technical skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely,” said State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey.
Firefighter Charette was among 21 who graduated with the Firefighting Academy’s 305th Class, representing Dracut and 10 other departments.
“I’m pleased to bring on yet another well-trained, highly-qualified firefighter who has deep roots in our community,” said Chief Patterson. “I want to congratulate Firefighter Charette on completing the academy, and welcome him to the Dracut Fire Department.”
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.