Fallon graduates from Mass. Fire Academy
By Canton Citizen
State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan and Canton Fire Chief Charles Doody are pleased to announce the graduation of Canton firefighter/paramedic Sean Fallon as part of the 194th class of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s 60-day Recruit Firefighting Program.
“This rigorous professional training provides our newest firefighters with the basic skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely,” Coan said.
The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, a division of the Department of Fire Services, offers this program tuition-free. The ceremony took place on March 30 at the Department of Fire Services in Stow.
The 69 graduates — 65 men and four women — represent 33 departments across the commonwealth, including the nearby towns of Randolph and Walpole.
Today’s firefighters do far more than fight fires. They are the first ones called to respond to chemical and environmental emergencies, ranging from the suspected presence of carbon monoxide to 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 accidents. They test and maintain their equipment, ranging from self-contained breathing apparatus to hydrants, hoses, and power tools.
At the state Firefighting Academy, Fallon learned all of these skills and more from certified fire instructors who are also experienced firefighters. Students learn all the basic skills they need to respond to fires and to contain and control them. They are also given training in public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management, water rescue procedures, confined space rescue techniques, and rappelling. The intensive, 12-week program for municipal firefighters involves classroom instruction, physical fitness training, firefighter skills training, and live-fire practice.
Fallon and his fellow recruits received classroom training in all basic firefighter skills. They practiced 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 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.
“Sean graduated in the top of his class and has quickly become an integral member of the department,” said Chief Doody. “We were fortunate to get him.”
Firefighter-Paramedic Fallon returned to the Canton Fire Department on Wednesday, April 4, and has been assigned to Group 3.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=13297
Posted by Canton Citizen
on Apr 27 2012. Filed under News, Police & Fire.
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