Fire Chief James McNeilly is pleased to announce the graduation of Manchester’s newest call firefighter, Firefighter Matt Harrington, from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Call/Volunteer Recruit Firefighter Training Program.
Firefighter Harrington was among 34 recruits who graduated as members of Call/Volunteer Recruit Class #123 during a ceremony held at Lynnfield Middle School. The class represented fire departments from Boxford, Essex, Groveland, Hamilton, Lynnfield, Manchester, Merrimac, Nahant, Newbury, Rockport, Rowley, Wenham, and West Newbury.
“On behalf of the entire Manchester Fire Department, I am proud to congratulate Matt on successfully completing this rigorous training program,” said Chief McNeilly. “Graduating from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy requires dedication, discipline, and commitment. We are excited to welcome Matt to our team as he begins serving the residents of Manchester.”
Chief McNeilly also recognized the importance of family support throughout the demanding training process.
“Success at the fire academy is never accomplished alone,” McNeilly said. “We want to thank Matt’s wife and children for their support and sacrifices during this journey. The nights, weekends, and hours of preparation required to complete the academy demand a strong support network at home, and we are grateful for their role in helping Matt reach this milestone.”
State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine also recognized the importance of training the next generation of firefighters.
“Massachusetts firefighters are on the frontlines protecting their communities every day, and these graduates are needed now more than ever,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “The hundreds of hours of foundational training they’ve received on nights and weekends will provide them with the physical, mental, and technical skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely.”
“Massachusetts Firefighting Academy instructors draw on decades of experience in the fire service to train new recruits,” said MFA Recruit Program Coordinator Dean Babineau. “Through consistent classroom instruction and practical exercises, tonight’s graduates have developed the tools they’ll need to protect themselves, their communities, and each other.”
The Martin H. McNamara Outstanding Student Award was presented to Firefighter Michael Collins of the Hamilton Fire Department. The award is named for Martin “Marty” McNamara V, a call firefighter with the Lancaster Fire Department who lost his life in the line of duty in 2003 while battling a fire in a multifamily home.
The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Call/Volunteer Recruit Training Program delivers the standard recruit training curriculum on nights and weekends to accommodate firefighters serving suburban and rural communities. Since the program began in 2003, more than 3,000 call and volunteer firefighters have graduated.
Graduates complete 240 hours of training, including classroom instruction, physical fitness training, firefighter skills training, and live fire exercises. Recruits must demonstrate proficiency in life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation, and fire attack before graduating.
Upon successful completion of the program, students meet the national standards of NFPA 1010, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, and may seek certification to the level of Firefighter I/II and Hazardous Materials Operational Level Responder.
