SPRINGFIELD — Patrick A. Cowningshield, Greenfield resident and a member of the Fire Department was among the 21 newly minted firefighters who walked across the stage at Wednesday morning’s Department of Fire Services graduation.
“We’re happy to have him report back to duty, and wish him a long and safe career,” said Greenfield Fire Chief Robert Strahan, the ceremony’s keynote speaker.
As witnesses, hundreds of family members and well wishers gathered in a high bay at the fire service’s Indian Orchard campus and watched as Recruit Firefighting Class No. S04 successfully completed 10 weeks of state academy training.
During the ceremony, Strahan referenced strong mutual aid agreements between Franklin County fire departments, and admonished graduates to look out for each other, prioritizing mental health.
“Take care of your mind as well as your body — don’t keep it to yourself,” Strahan said. “Have integrity — do the right thing even when no one else is looking.”
Once dismissed, the new firefighters ran up a training tower and waved to the crowd below, observing the training grounds for the last time as student firefighters.
Crowningshield, who grew up in Greenfield and graduated from Greenfield High School in 2014, was hired onto the local department recently. He’s been an emergency medical technician since 2015, and became a firefighter to “give back” to the community.
“I feel great — I enjoyed my time here, but I’m excited to get back to the job and continue my education. I look forward to being able to give back to my hometown. My mom is a nurse, and made an impression on me. I want to give back,” Crowningshield said afterward. He was all smiles, standing with family in afternoon sunshine.
Other graduates from departments close to Franklin County include new Northampton Firefighters Jonathan D. Schwaiger and Hannah K. Eisenstein, and Easthampton Firefighter Tyler J. Struthers. The remaining firefighters are from Chicopee, Ludlow, Springfield, West Springfield, and Westfield.
The ceremony’s opening invocation was given by the Rev. Jane Dunning, and remarks were made by various fire officials including State Fire Marshal Peter. J. Ostroskey.
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