AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - Two Amherst firefighters, Aidan J. Brooks and William R. Mueller, were recognized on Monday at a ceremony for their graduation from the Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program led by the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. Brooks and Mueller were among 20 graduating firefighters across 11 Massachusetts fire departments celebrated in the event in Springfield. State Fire Marshal John M. Davine, as well as leaders from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, presided over the ceremony. Wilbraham Road in Hampden reopens after car fire “Massachusetts firefighters are on the frontlines protecting their communities every day, and today’s graduates are needed now more than ever,” 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 two Amherst firefighters were both hired full-time in June 2023 and completed their paramedic training in 2024. Prior to becoming a firefighter, Mueller worked for the American Medical Response ambulance service in Springfield, while Brooks was a member of the Student Force while studying at the University of Massachusetts Amherst until his graduation in 2023. “We are excited to have both Aidan and William graduate from the Fire Academy and join the ranks of our fulltime career firefighter/paramedics,” said Amherst Fire Chief Lindsay Stromgren. “Both excelled at the academy and will be a valuable addition to our force and will begin working on their respective shifts this week.”  The Amherst Fire Department currently has openings for on-call and full-time firefighters. Applications can be found here. Local News Headlines Holyoke Mall secures three-year loan extension Local 5th graders learn about weather and journalism Westfield police seeking help in identifying individuals suspected of package theft State program offers winter heating bill relief WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.