NEWBURYPORT– Chief Christopher J. LeClaire is pleased to announce that two Newburyport firefighters graduated from the Massachusetts Fire Academy’s Call/Volunteer training program this past weekend.
Firefighters Matt Raven and Justin Burl are two of 29 graduates from the MFA’s Call/Volunteer Firefighter Training Class 89. They officially completed the Firefighter I/II program on Saturday, Feb. 27. A formal graduation ceremony was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the 16 week training, firefighters learned the basic skills they need to respond to fires, including how to contain and control them, public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management, firefighter self-rescue and vehicle extrication.
In order to graduate, firefighters completed 240 hours of training, all on nights and weekends, while demonstrating proficiency in life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation and fire attack in situations ranging from mailbox fires to multiple-floor or multi-room structural fires.
“Congratulation to our two newest members for completing this rigorous training, which is an important step in every firefighter’s career,” Chief LeClaire said. “We look forward to working alongside them as they settle into their roles and hope you will join us in welcoming them to the community.”
Both Burl and Raven started working as call firefighters for the department this past summer.
The other graduates represent the fire departments of Boxford, Dunstable, Essex, Georgetown, Hamilton, Haverhill, Lincoln, Lynnfield, Merrimac, Middleton, Newbury, Topsfield, and Wenham.
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