Chief Eric Hajder, on behalf of the Swansea Fire Department, would like to congratulate volunteer firefighter Matt Thayer upon his graduation from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Call/Volunteer training program.
Volunteer firefighter Thayer was one of 20 graduates from the MFA’s Call/Volunteer Training Class 104, who officially graduated from the training program on Tuesday, May 23 during a ceremony at the Department of Fire Services’ Bridgewater campus.
“The MFA’s Call/Volunteer training program is a rigorous crash course in all aspects of the fire service and, upon his graduation, Matt is now fully equipped with the knowledge and expertise needed to adequately serve the Town of Swansea,” Chief Hajder said. “I would like to congratulate Matt on his graduation as he officially joins our rank.”
During the 16-week training program, participants learn the basic skills they need to respond to emergencies, including lessons on fire behavior and suppression, public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management and self-rescue techniques. The program involves classroom instruction, physical fitness training, firefighter skills training and live firefighting practice.
Graduates of the program complete 240 hours of training, all on nights and weekends. To graduate, they must demonstrate proficiency in life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation and fire attack techniques. Upon completion of the training, they have also met the standards of National Fire Protection Association 1001.
Other graduates of Class 104 represent the fire departments of Acushnet, Dighton, Freetown, Hanover, Lakeville, Norwell, Onset, Plympton, Rehoboth, and West Bridgewater.
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