Firefighter education expanding with new mobile SCBA training maze
STOW — The state Department of Fire Services has announced the expansion of firefighter survival training at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy with the addition of a new mobile self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) training maze that will increase access to realistic, hands-on instruction for recruit and veteran firefighters across the state.
The new mobile training maze expands the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s ability to deliver firefighter survival training both on campus and directly to local fire departments. The unit also replaces the academy’s original Stow-based SCBA maze.
“The SCBA training maze is one of our most frequently requested training tools,” State Fire Marshal Jon Davine said in a statement. “This new mobile unit allows us to deliver critical survival training to more firefighters in more communities while strengthening the MFA’s ability to prepare recruits and veteran firefighters for the dangerous and unpredictable conditions they face. Providing firefighters with realistic training is one of the best investments we can make in their safety and the safety of the communities they serve.”
Inside the maze, firefighters navigate dark, confined and unfamiliar environments while wearing full turnout gear and SCBA. The training is designed to build confidence under stress, improve air management and reinforce the skills firefighters rely on during searches, rescues and self-extrication.
Last year, the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Springfield-based mobile SCBA maze supported training for more than 500 municipal firefighters. The addition of a second roadworthy mobile unit will expand training opportunities across the state.
The new mobile maze is one of several investments that have strengthened training at the academy in recent years, alongside a forcible entry trailer, flashover training prop, search and rescue buildings on the Bridgewater and Springfield campuses, a hazardous materials leak prop, and a Mobile Extraction Unit used to decontaminate firefighting gear.
The Department of Fire Services invested approximately $500,000 in the new training system, supported in large part by a $435,000 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant.
Women in agriculture survey responses due Aug. 1
The roles that farmers play in the operations of a Massachusetts farm business vary depending on the person, the type of farm and products, season, living situation, financial situation, work history, education level and many additional factors. Through an ongoing survey, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources hopes to identify which roles and challenges are commonly experienced by women farmers.
As 2026 marks the International Year of the Woman Farmer, MDAR wants to gather feedback from women across the state who farm to allow the opportunity to reflect and better understand the needs of this specific community.
Survey responses at forms.mass.gov/eoeea-agr/form/152 are due Aug. 1.
Region planning for Massachusetts Good Neighbor Day
The weekend of Sept. 26 to Sept. 28 will mark the second annual Massachusetts Good Neighbor Day effort organized by the Massachusetts Coalition to Build Community & End Loneliness. The coalition is encouraging communities, organizations and individuals statewide to host activities that strengthen connections, encourage kindness and foster a deeper sense of belonging.
Locally, the Franklin Regional Council of Governments’ Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Network is organizing neighborhood gatherings across the region.
“Increasing social connectedness is a priority of our CHIP all year round, because isolation and loneliness impact people of all ages and walks of life in our region. Good Neighbor Day is a call to action, reminding us that we can all contribute to making this a better place to live — and even the smallest steps help,” Phoebe Walker, director of community health at FRCOG, said in a statement. “I had so much fun at my Good Neighbor Day barbecue last year and got to know better people who I had lived near for ages but did not know.”
For those who are interested in planning their own event, FRCOG has resources such as invitations, signs and activity suggestions at bit.ly/GND-CHIP. More information about Massachusetts Good Neighbor Day is available at endlonelinessma.com/gnd.
Area students earn academic honors at Fitchburg State
FITCHBURG — Numerous students from Franklin County and the North Quabbin region earned academic honors at Fitchburg State University for the spring semester.
A student is placed on the dean’s list for the semester by achieving a grade point average of 3.20 or better while attending the university full-time.
Local students named to the dean’s list are: Briana L. Chagnon, Sydney A. Gauvin, Honnah A. Griffith, Jason M. Howard, Isabella Lawrence, Tabitha L. Membrino, Kayden A. Moussea, Sam S. Phaisikhieuv, April N. Rosello, Aiden G. Truehart, Sophia E. Woodard and Thea Wysocki, all of Athol; Joshua R. Bordeaux of Bernardston; Jessica Tricolici of Gill; Ali Ahmad Asif and Robin N. Shea, both of Greenfield; David J. Gambone, Michael E. Hall, Maddison L. Lloyd, Nick T. Ringwood and Alice A. Schwanz, all of Orange; Cameron J. Hartman and Olivia R. Narkevicius, both of Phillipston; Ryan D. Darling of Royalston; Ryan D. Darling of South Deerfield; and Dylan D. Rogers of Turners Falls.
The president’s list honors students for consistently high achievement. A student is named to the list after earning a 3.75 grade point average in each of three successive semesters.
Local students named to the president’s list are: Lillian J. Maxwell and Andrew J. Robinson, both of Athol; Elizabeth E. Rice of Bernardston; Kole S. Broderick of Gill; Samantha S. Murray of Greenfield; Liam P. Lucas-Mullen of Orange; and Peter W. Elliott of Petersham.