LEVERETT — The town’s fire chief and deputy fire chief have both received accreditation from the Massachusetts Fire Service Commission based on the experience, education and training they bring to running the Fire Department.
Fire Chief John Ingram and Deputy Chief Brian Cook earned the recognition March 18 from the commission, a board appointed by the governor to establish a process for consistent credentialing for fire chiefs and others in fire departments with the rank of lieutenant and above.
“I appreciate that this credentialing accomplishment recognizes our dedication to be the best fire service leaders we can be for the area we serve,” Ingram said.
Ingram said he and Cook have completed the Massachusetts Fire Academy’s Chief Fire Officer Management Training Program, obtained master’s degrees, and attended workshops and training sessions.
The Leverett Fire Department has 15 members, most of whom are on call, who respond to medical and fire calls, including 180 emergency calls in 2020. The department also conducts required inspections and teaches fire safety to both children and senior citizens through the SAFE and SENIOR SAFE programs.
Massachusetts Fire Service Commission Chair Alan Roy, who also serves as fire chief in Palmer, said in a statement that the accreditation program “establishes benchmarks for training in fire and emergency service management so that chiefs may be better prepared to serve their department and their community.”
The accreditation is also supported by State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey, who calls the program a way for chiefs “to document their efforts to develop and maintain the skills to be an effective leader and manager in today’s fire service.”
Credentialed participants are required to renew their credentials every three years.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.