LUDLOW — Chief Ryan Pease is pleased to announce that Ludlow Firefighter Jon-Luc Lavoie graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy today.
Firefighter Lavoie was among 28 firefighters from 17 departments to graduate from the academy’s Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program Class #S30 today, Jan. 13.
Firefighter Lavoie is a Ludlow native. He was appointed to the Ludlow Fire Department on July 11, 2022.
“On behalf of the Ludlow Fire Department, I extend a sincere congratulations to Firefighter Lavoie for completing this rigorous course,” Chief Pease said. “We are proud to have him serving our department and the residents of Ludlow, and we wish him a long and successful career in fire service.”
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. Firefighters Lavoie is now certified at the level of Firefighter I and II and in hazardous material operation.
“First responders are on the frontlines protecting their communities, and these newest firefighters are needed now more than ever,” said State Fire Marshal Ostroskey. “The rigorous professional training they’ve received provides them with the physical, mental, and technical skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely.”
The other 28 graduates represent the Agawam, Amherst, Belchertown, Chelsea, Chicopee, Dudley, Holyoke, Natick, North Adams, Northampton, Northbridge, Pittsfield, Southbridge, Turners Falls, Westfield, and Westminster Fire Departments.
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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