Local Firefighters Graduate From State Firefighting Academy

Five New Bedford firefighters were among the 33 graduates of the Massachusetts Firefight Academy's fire training program on Friday.

A total of 18 departments were represented in the graduating class.  The ceremony took place at the Department of fire Services in Stow, Mass.

During the 50-day training program, the students learned basic skills on how to respond to fires, plus lessons on public fire education, hazardous materials, stress management and rescue techniques.

The New Bedford graduates (shown above from L to R) are Derek Santos, Darien Jacintho, Brian Pittsley, Brandon Medeiros and Noah Griffith.

Also graduating from the Academy was Fairhaven Firefighter Kathleen Rocha.