STOW — State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey and Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA) leadership observed the 50^th anniversary of the MFA today as they presented certificates of completion to 60 local firefighters who graduated at the Academy’s campuses in Stow, Springfield, and Bridgewater.

Established by an act of the Legislature on Oct. 7, 1971, the MFA grew out of what had been known as the Central Massachusetts Fire Training Academy. It currently provides recruit and in-service training at three separate campuses and has graduated more than 13,000 recruit, call, and volunteer firefighters in more than 420 classes.

“We take them for granted today, but uniform standards for fire service training were still a new idea 50 years ago,” State Fire Marshal Ostroskey said. “From humble beginnings at a single location, we now have three operational campuses across the state, teaching strategies and tactics that have continued to evolve and improve during five decades of professional instruction.”

Stow: 23 Graduates from 12 Fire Departments

The 23 recruits of MFA Class #295 graduated at the Stow campus and represent the fire departments of Burlington, Everett, Gloucester, Haverhill, Lawrence, Milford, Norwell, Stoughton, Wakefield, Watertown, Wilmington, and Wrentham. The Stow campus was the MFA’s first location and serves as the Department of Fire Services’ primary headquarters.

Springfield: 19 Graduates from Eight Fire Departments

The 19 recruits of MFA Class #S24 graduated at the Springfield campus and represent the fire departments of Agawam, Chicopee, Milton, Pittsfield, Southwick, West Springfield, Westfield, and Weymouth. Dedicated in 2015, the six-acre Springfield campus is also home to the Springfield Fire Department’s training unit under a state/local partnership.

Bridgewater: 18 Graduates from 10 Fire Departments

The 18 recruits of MFA Class #BW13 graduated at the Bridgewater campus and represent the fire departments of Attleboro, Dedham, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Falmouth, Hingham, Holbrook, Lakeville, Norton, and Sharon. As the MFA’s most recent addition, the Bridgewater campus held its first graduation last year.

Basic Firefighter Skills

Students receive classroom training in all basic firefighter skills. They practice first under non-fire conditions and then during controlled fire conditions. To graduate, students must demonstrate proficiency in life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation, and fire attack. Fire attack operations range from mailbox fires to multiple-floor or multiple-room structural fires. Upon successful completion of the Recruit Program all students have met the national standards of National Fire Protection Association 1001 and are certified to the level of Firefighter I and II, and Hazardous Materials First Responder Operational Level by the Massachusetts Fire Training Council, which is accredited by the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications.

Today’s Firefighters Do Far More than Fight Fires

Today’s firefighters do far more than fight fires. They train to respond to all types of hazards and emergencies. They are the first ones called to respond to chemical and environmental emergencies, ranging from the suspected presence of carbon monoxide, to Fentanyl overdoses or a gas leak. They may be called to rescue a child who has fallen through the ice or who has locked himself in a bathroom. They rescue people from stalled elevators and those who are trapped in vehicle crashes. They test and maintain their equipment including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), hydrants, hoses, power tools, and apparatus.

At the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, they learn all these skills and more, including the latest science of fire behavior and suppression tactics, from certified fire instructors. They also receive training in public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management, and self-rescue techniques. The intensive, 10-week program for municipal firefighters involves classroom instruction, physical fitness training, firefighter skills training, and live firefighting practice.

Today’s ceremonies will be posted to the Department of Fire Services’ YouTube channel this afternoon.

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