Asmus and Sherwood Graduate CT Fire Academy

The Connecticut Fire Academy Recruit Class #48 graduated in a ceremony at the Connecticut Police Academy in Meriden with East Haven Fire Chief Douglas Jackson as the keynote speaker.

The class of 46 firefighters (see PDF for full list), representing 24 fire departments from across the state, completed its 14-week residential based training program on Dec. 22.

Northford’s James Asmus and Andrew Sherwood were two of the graduates, representing the .

Both Asmus and Sherwood have been active members of the NBFD and took this training to enhance their skills. The training is so intensive that the recruits live at the fire academy during the week for the duration of training, which began on Sept. 12, focusing on developing knowledge, skills and abilities needed for entry-level firefighters.

“The training they participated in is above and beyond what is required by any volunteer firefighter and most people that attend that academy are career firefighters,” said . “The big difference is that they’re there on their own time for 15 weeks whereas most other firefighters there have been hired and attending that program is part of the job requirement.”

Seward looks forward to the pair returning to the department with more experience.

“Attending the recruit program allows them to bring back a higher level of skill, ability and knowledge that they wouldn’t be afforded otherwise,” he said.

According to a press release from the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, “The core program components are to establish a strong desire and will for self-discipline, teamwork, company morale, orderliness and precision. Additional course components include training in Hazardous Materials Mitigation, Weapons of Mass Destruction Preparedness, Confined Space Rescue, CPR Defibrillator and Technical Rescue. 

The release also stated that the graduating recruits will be nationally certified to the level of Firefighter I and Firefighter II, in addition to being awarded numerous certificates for specialized training.

The Connecticut Fire Academy is the teaching arm of the Connecticut Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, a Division of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Their mission is to serve as the primary source of education and training for Connecticut firefighters.