Andover Firefighter Among MA Firefighting Academy Grads

ANDOVER, MA — Andover firefighter Lance Whitney graduated last month from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA) in Stow after completing the 10-week Recruit Firefighting Training Program, Andover Fire Rescue announced.

Whitney was one of 21 graduating recruits — representing 11 departments — who were part of the graduation ceremonies on Oct. 21.

A native of Boston, Whitney was appointed to Andover Fire Rescue in January 2022.

"Our department is extremely proud of Firefighter Whitney's hard work and for his graduation from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy," Andover Chief Michael Mansfield said. "We are proud to have Firefighter Whitney serving the town of Andover, and I wish him the best of luck in his career."

Students at the MFA learn basic firefighting techniques like search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation, fire attack and life safety lessons. They also learn non-fire responses like dealing with drug overdoses, gas leaks and hazardous materials spills, in addition to training for rescue operations during other emergencies, like vehicle crashes.

At the academy, certified firefighters lead classroom instruction, physical fitness training, firefighter skills training and firefighting practice. The latter is conducted under both non-fire conditions and controlled fire conditions.

Students who have successfully completed the program have met the national standards of National Fire Protection Association 1001.

More than 14,000 firefighters have trained at the MFA — which also has campuses in Springfield and Bridgewater — in its 51 years.