Chief Larry Fisher is pleased to announce that two Merrimac firefighters graduated from the Massachusetts Fire Academy’s Call/Volunteer training program this past weekend.
Firefighters Christian Taylor and Joanne Ricardelli are two of 29 graduates from the MFA’s Call/Volunteer Firefighter Training Class 89. They officially completed the Firefighter I/II program on Saturday, Feb. 27. A formal graduation ceremony was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the 16 week training, firefighters learned the basic skills they need to respond to fires, including how to contain and control them, public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management, firefighter self-rescue and vehicle extrication.
In order to graduate, firefighters completed 240 hours of training, all on nights and weekends, while demonstrating proficiency in life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation and fire attack in situations ranging from mailbox fires to multiple-floor or multi-room structural fires.
“This program is the first step for firefighters as they begin their careers and provides the foundation and the tools to build upon while serving our community in the years to come,” Chief Fisher. “We are proud of the commitment to our residents and look forward to working with them as they settle into their new roles. Please join us in congratulating them on their incredible accomplishments.”
They both began working at Merrimac Fire about a year ago and have been dedicated to the department since, taking classes, attending training, responding to calls and bringing a positive attitude each day. Both will begin a paramedic program this summer.
The other graduates represent the fire departments of Boxford, Dunstable, Essex, Georgetown, Hamilton, Haverhill, Lincoln, Lynnfield, Middleton, Newbury, Newburyport, Topsfield, and Wenham.