Avon firefighters Ricardo Calixte, left, and Shaquil Wilkie graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy on Tuesday, Nov. 12. (Photo courtesy Massachusetts Department of Fire Services)
AVON — Chief David Charest of the Avon Fire Department is pleased to report that two Avon firefighters graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA) on Tuesday.
Avon firefighters Ricardo Calixte and Shaquil Wilkie were among 22 graduates from Call/Volunteer Recruit Class #115. The graduates received certificates of completion at a ceremony on Tuesday evening held Matthew J. Kuss Middle School in Fall River.
“We are excited to welcome Ricardo and Shaquil to our firefighting family and look forward to them joining us as we work to keep our community safe,” Chief Charest said. “The foundational training they received from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy will provide them with the technical, mental, and physical skills needed to protect our residents safely and effectively. I want to congratulate them on a job well done and wish them each a safe, healthy career.”
State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine commended the graduates, stating that they are now well-equipped to safely render life-saving aid and conduct firefighting operations, making them vital assets for their communities.
“Massachusetts firefighters are on the frontlines protecting their communities every day, and today’s graduates are needed now more than ever,” State Fire Marshal Davine said. “The hundreds of hours of foundational training they’ve received will provide them with the physical, mental, and technical skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely.”
The other 20 recruits of Class #115 represent the fire departments of 10 additional communities, including Berkley, Dartmouth Fire District 1, Dartmouth Fire District 2, Dartmouth Fire District 3, Dighton, Freetown, Kingston, Lincoln, Plympton, and Swansea.
The Call/Volunteer Firefighter Recruit Training Program offered by MFA differs from the academy’s standard Career Recruit Firefighter Training Program in that classes are held on nights and weekends to accommodate the schedules of firefighters in suburban and rural areas, making this training more accessible. Offered by the MFA since 2003, with more than 3,000 call and volunteer recruits graduating since then, the program requires graduates to complete 240 hours of training, delivering a standard recruit training curriculum that meets all national standards.
MFA Deputy Director of Training Dennis A. Ball said the academy’s instructors draw upon decades of experience in the fire service in order to train new recruits.
“Through consistent classroom instruction and practical exercises, tonight’s graduates have developed the tools they’ll need to protect their communities,” Deputy Director of Training Ball said.
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