SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Twelve firefighters from western and central Massachusetts have graduated from the 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. State Fire Marshal Jon Davine announced on Friday that the firefighters of Class #S40 worke d hard to represent each of their departments and learned valuable skills and training throughout the program. Mayor Garcia to represent Holyoke in Ireland “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 twelve graduates serve the fire departments of Athol, Chicopee, Easthampton, Holyoke, Longmeadow, South Hadley Fire District 1, Southbridge, and Uxbridge. Courtesy of the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services. Throughout the 10-week course, the firefighting students practiced under controlled fire conditions, life safety, and search and rescue. Beyond simply putting out fires, they were equipped to handle emergencies such as gas leaks and chemical spills. “Massachusetts Firefighting Academy instructors draw on decades of experience in the fire service to train new recruits,” said Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Deputy Director Dennis A. Ball. “Through consistent classroom instruction and practical exercises, today’s graduates have developed the tools they’ll need to work seamlessly with veteran firefighters in their home departments and in neighboring communities as mutual aid.” One firefighter also received the Richard N. Bangs Outstanding Student Award, named after the longtime chair of the Massachusetts Fire Training Council. The award is given to a recruit demonstrating exemplary academic and practical abilities within the program, and it was granted to Conor Lordan of the Athol Fire Department. These recruits have met the national standards for firefighter professional qualifications, and can now move forward and serve their communities with strength and dedication. Local News Headlines Tinkham Road in Wilbraham closed due to crash Connecticut woman arrested after hitting state police cruisers with car Man dies in Orange St. shooting in Springfield Local firefighters graduate from Firefighting Academy 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. ...read more read less