For Immediate Release
Friday, Oct. 25, 2019
Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: kelsey@jgpr.net
Gloucester Fire Department
Eric Smith, Fire Chief
8 School St.
Gloucester, MA 01930
Gloucester Firefighter Graduates from Massachusetts Firefighting Academy
GLOUCESTER — Chief Eric L. Smith is pleased to announce that Firefighter Nicholas Bazdanes of the Gloucester Fire Department graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA) on Friday, Oct. 25.
Firefighter Bazdanes was among the 38 firefighters representing 18 departments to graduate from the MFA’s Career Recruit Firefighter Training Class 277. Graduates were recognized at a ceremony at the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services headquarters in Stow.
The 50-day program teaches the essentials of fire and non-fire conditions, life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation and fire attack.
Bazdanes was hired by the department in April 2018. He is a resident of Gloucester and a graduate of Gloucester High School.
In joining the fire service, he followed in his father, Firefighter Theodore Bazdanes’ footsteps. His father was also an active participant in today’s graduation ceremony.
“On behalf of the entire Gloucester Fire Department, we welcome Firefighter Bazdanes and congratulate him on completion of the extensive firefighting training program,” Smith said. “We are confident that he will be a valuable member of our department and will fulfill his duty to the residents of our city.”
Fellow graduates of Recruit Firefighter Training Class 277 represents departments from Cohasset, Franklin, Gardner, Groton, Holden, Hopedale, Hyannis, Lawrence, Lexington, Lynn, Middleborough, Plymouth, Scituate, Seekonk, Stoughton, Westminster and Woburn.
The guest speaker at Friday’s graduation ceremony was Lynn District Fire Chief Daniel Sullivan. He has worked for the Lynn Fire Department for 23 years and has been an MFA instructor for 10. He spoke to the recruits about the importance of training and continuing their education throughout their careers.
About the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy:
At the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, firefighter recruits learn a wide range of skills in an intensive 10-week program. Certified and more experienced firefighters lead classroom instruction, physical fitness training, firefighter skills training and firefighting practice. Students are given training in public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management, confined space rescue techniques and rappelling. Upon successful completion of the Recruit Program, all students have met national standards of National Fire Protection Association 1001.
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