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Firefighter Steve Romano Receives Firefighter I/II Certification
Congratulations goes out to Firefighter Steve Romano for his successful completion of the requirements for certification for Firefighter I/II. Steve is one of the latest graduates of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy's Call Firefighter Training Program that started last Fall. The class met two evenings a week and some Saturdays from September thru January. The program, taught by certified instructors from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, brought the program to the Hamilton Fire Station for participation by call firefighters from Essex County. Some of the topics taught included the handling of fire service ladders, understanding fire alarm systems, how to effectively and safely attack different types of fires and understanding the history of the fire service. Part of the
program takes place at the Academy's training center located in Stow, MA, where students get hands-on practice learning how to fight car fires, dumpster fires, how to handle natural gas emergencies, and fire extinguishers. The biggest thrill during the training is where the students participate in fighting structure fires in the Academy's special burn building and they also have the opportunity to observe conditions leading up to a flashover. Once Steve completed the training, he, and other students, went through a three-step process for certification. The first step is a 150 question exam where they are asked questions covering many of the subjects they were taught. After successfully completing the written exam students go on to testing in the non-fire skills area. This includes tying knots, properly raising ladders, establishing water supplies and many more subjects. After successful complete of part 2 the candidates move into the
final phase, live fire. Candidates are evaluated by examiners fighting a room and contents fire, using hand extinguishers to put out a flaming pit of fuel and handling a fire hose to shut down a propane BBQ tank fire. All in all, it's well over 200 hours of commitment and the payoff for the Town is a well-trained firefighter. Chief Beardsley reported his pleasure over Steve's accomplishment and went on to say, "Not only did Steve make this commitment to the fire department but he became a father for the second time during the class. Steve’s accomplishment now bring the Department to almost half of the firefighters certified at the Firefighter I/II level.”
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