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Gloucester Firefighter Graduates from Massachusetts Firefighting Academy

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Gloucester Fire Department
Eric Smith, Fire Chief
8 School St.
Gloucester, MA 01930

For Immediate Release

Friday, March 8, 2019

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

 

Gloucester Firefighter Graduates from Massachusetts Firefighting Academy

Firefighter Sean Ellis graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Friday, and was recognized at a ceremony at the Department of Fire Services headquarters in Stow. (Courtesy Photo Massachusetts Firefighting Academy)

GLOUCESTER — Chief Eric Smith is pleased to announce that Firefighter Sean Ellis graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA) Friday.

On Friday, March 8, Firefighter Ellis was among the 36 firefighters representing 23 fire departments to graduate from the MFA’s Career Recruit Firefighter Training Class 271. Graduates were recognized at a ceremony at the  Department of Fire Services headquarters in Stow Friday.

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.

Firefighter Ellis, age 26, a lifelong Gloucester resident, was hired by the Gloucester Fire Department in February 2018. A Navy veteran, he served on the USS McFaul DDG 74 in Norfolk, Virginia for four years as a damage controlman, third class. He is a certified paramedic, and holds an associate’s degree in fire science from North Shore Community College.

“The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy prepares firefighters with a rigorous, comprehensive training,” Chief Smith said. “Firefighter Ellis worked extremely hard to complete this program, and I am proud of his commitment to serve the city of Gloucester and better his firefighting skills.”

The other 35 graduates represented the fire departments of Andover, Attleboro, Bourne, Franklin, Haverhill, Hyannis, Littleton, Malden, Marlborough, Medford, Medway, Raynham, Revere, Salem, Sandwich, Stoughton, Sturbridge, Wakefield, Waltham, Wayland, West Bridgewater and Yarmouth.

 

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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Nahant Firefighter’s Home Sustains Serious Damage in Fire

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Nahant Fire Department
Chief Michael Feinberg
67 Flash Road
Nahant, MA 01908

For Immediate Release

Thursday, March 7, 2019

Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Nahant Firefighter’s Home Sustains Serious Damage in Fire

NAHANT — Chief Michael Feinberg reports that a Nahant firefighter’s home was significantly damaged following a fire last night in Swampscott.

Firefighter Matthew Videtta’s home burned on March 6, causing them to lose many of their belongings and forcing he and his family to relocate.

In response, Chief Feinberg wishes to make the community aware of a fund that has been established to support Firefighter Videtta and his family during this challenging time. Nobody was injured in the fire.

The GoFundMe can be accessed here.

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Town of Marion Holds Memorial Service for Firefighter Thomas Nye

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For Immediate Release

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Town of Marion Holds Memorial Service for Firefighter Thomas Nye

MARION — The Town of Marion honored the life and service of Firefighter Thomas Nye during a memorial service today.

Firefighter Nye, age 72, served as a call firefighter with the Marion Fire Department for 45 years. On Feb. 26, he responded to and helped extinguish a chimney fire on Point Road. The following day, he suffered what is believed to be a cardiac incident and was transported to Tobey Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

At noon today, firefighters from around the region marched from the Mattapoisett Police Department, 64 County Road, to the Saunders-Dwyer Funeral Home, 50 County Road (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett for a walk-through.

Following the walk-through, a service was held in the parking lot of the funeral home, which included a moving tribute to Firefighter Nye from Chief Brian Jackvony

“Tom was to all firefighters a mentor,” Chief Jackvony said during the service. “I have heard this word used frequently at the station the last several days. He always answered as many fire calls as possible and always did this with a great sense of pride and ownership for his company, Engine 2. He did this with no thought other than to serve his community and help his brother firefighters in completing their primary mission of saving lives and property.”

The Nye family has a long history serving the Town of Marion. Firefighter Nye worked in station two, which is dedicated in memory of his older brother, Deputy Chief Nathan Nye and now under the command of his nephew, Capt. Christopher Nye.

Firefighter Nye died just a few blocks from the station fighting the chimney fire. Chief Jackvony reflected on Firefighter Nye’s valor, courage, sympathy, honor and love that guided him throughout his career.

“Firefighter Thomas Nye, we will miss you and you will live in our hearts forever,” Chief Jackvony concluded.

Following the Chief’s tribute and prayer service, members of the Marion Fire Department struck Box 41, transmitting Firefighter Nye’s final alarm.

“I was extraordinarily moved by today’s fitting and solemn service, as firefighters and community members came together to honor a man who dedicated the vast majority of his life to serving others,” Town Administrator Paul Dawson said. “I want to thank the more than 100 firefighters from all over who came together today in brotherhood and solidarity.”

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Statement of the Town of Berwick

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saturday, March 2, 2019

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 781-752-9877
Email: [email protected]

Statement of the Town of Berwick

BERWICK, Maine — The Town of Berwick and the firefighting community in New England and beyond are collectively in mourning today after the line of duty death of Berwick Fire & Rescue Captain Joel Barnes, who died fighting a four-alarm fire that injured four other firefighters on Friday afternoon.

Captain Barnes, age 32, was a paramedic and served as the Berwick Fire & Rescue training officer and emergency medical services coordinator. He previously worked for South Berwick Rescue, York Ambulance and the Old Orchard Beach Fire Department before joining Berwick Fire in July 2016. He was also an active per diem firefighter for Town of Acton, Maine.

Captain Barnes died in a large apartment fire on Bell Street Friday. The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation. An initial finding indicates that Captain Barnes was leading another firefighter in an interior attack of the fire when conditions suddenly worsened.

“Captain Barnes died a hero, battling a large and dangerous building fire. He made the ultimate sacrifice for his community,” said Berwick Fire Chief Dennis Plante.

Added Berwick Town Manager Stephen G. Eldridge: “Firefighters run toward danger and into places that everyone else is running away from. Captain Barnes lost his life saving others, while we honor him, we are struck with a profound sense of grief today. On behalf of the enter Berwick community, I wish to thank everyone for their offers of support and expressions of condolence.”

Saturday Procession

Captain Barnes’ body was taken to the medical examiners office in Concord, New Hampshire. It departed the medical examiner’s office at 1:30 p.m. Saturday bound for the Tasker Funeral Home in Dover. The captain’s body was escorted by Berwick Police and Fire, with firefighters and police officers from other agencies stationed in salute over major overpasses along Rt. 4.

The procession was joined by the Dover Fire Department as it reached the city limits.

Fund Established

The family of Captain Barnes requests that any donations being made in his name go to the Berwick Volunteer Firefighters Association in his memory c/o Kennebunk Saving Bank, 2 School St., Berwick, ME 03901.

Additional Updates

This is the first of several updates that will be distributed as new information becomes available. Funeral arrangements are still being finalized.

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