Training

Recruit Training – Massachusetts Firefighting Academy

Today’s Firefighters Do Far More than Fight Fires

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 to hoses, power tools, and apparatus.

At the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy they learn all 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.

Basic Firefighter Skills

Students receive classroom training in all basic firefighter skills. They practice 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.

Training Activity During Fiscal Year 2014

During this period, Billerica Firefighters received new or continuous training on the following topics:

Fire/Rescue Training:

  • Pump Operations
  • Operation of Master Stream Appliances
  • Aerial Operations
  • Rooftop Rescue
  • Firefighter Death & Injury Survival Program
  • Foam Equipment
  • Large Diameter Hose
  • Electrical Emergencies & Safety
  • Residential Fire Strategy & Tactics
  • Brush Fire Equipment
  • Tank Truck Ops & Portable Pumps
  • Ice/Water Rescue
  • Boat Ops
  • Ropes & Hauling
  • Ventilation
  • Forcible Entry
  • Vehicle Stabilization & Extrication
  • Power Tools & Hand Tool Review
  • Portable Hydraulic “Jaws of Life”
  • Operation of Paratech Equipment
  • Big Rig Rescue
  • Confined Space Rescue in conjunction with Cabot Corp.
  • Rapid Intervention Team (RIT)
  • Building Tours
  • School Fire & Lockdown Drills

Medical Training:

  • Response to Mass Casualty Incidents
  • Ebola Protocols
  • Pediatric Cardiac Emergencies
  • Cardiac Arrest Management
  • Naloxone (NARCAN) Administration
  • Burn Care
  • Elder Affairs
  • Suicide & Terrorism

Driver Training:

  • Recruit Driver
  • Driver Training Simulator (MIIA)

Fire Officer Training:

  • Incident Command System (ICS 100, 200, 300, 700)
  • FEMA Local Damage Assessment
  • FEMA Incident Action Plan Development
  • Fire Prevention Officer – Basic
  • Fire Prevention Officer – Level I
  • Fire Officer I
  • Fire Officer II
  • Fire Instructor I
  • Incident Safety Officer
  • Mid-State Chiefs Safety Seminar
  • Traffic Incident Management
  • Managing the MAYDAY
  • Digital Photography for the Fire Investigator
  • Chief Fire Officer
  • Basic Fire Investigation
  • Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD)
  • Grant Writing
  • Urban Search & Rescue (USAR)
  • Fiber Optics
  • Fire Sprinklers

Hazardous Materials:

  • HAZMAT Technician & Operations
  • Natural Gas Pipeline First Responder
  • Operation of Radiological Monitoring Equipment in conjunction with Lantheus
  • Radiological Hazards in conjunction with Lantheus
  • HAZMAT Code Enforcement
  • DOT 406 Trailer Familiarization
  • Portable Instrument Technician
  • ERG Guidebook Refresher
  • Decontamination Procedures


Training Saves Lives