The Needham Fire Department added a new certified firefighter after a recruit graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy's 50-day Career Recruit Training Program in Bridgewater.
The Needham recruit was one of 15 graduates in Career Recruit Class #BW41, representing 13 fire departments statewide, the state Department of Fire Services announced Oct. 19. All graduates are now certified as Firefighter I/II and Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations by the Massachusetts Fire Training Council.
State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine said the graduates are "needed now more than ever" and that hundreds of hours of training prepared them with the physical, mental and technical skills to work safely.
To graduate, recruits had to demonstrate proficiency in life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation and fire attack under controlled fire conditions.
Firefighter Juan Pheonix Leigh of the Somerset Fire Department received the class's Richard N. Bangs Outstanding Student Award for top academic and practical performance.
