East Haven Fire Chief Keynote Speaker for Academy Graduation

Chief Douglas Jackson will serve as the keynote speaker and three East Haven Fire Department firefighters will be among the new recruits honored during Thursday's Connecticut Fire Academy graduation ceremonies.

The Connecticut Fire Academy's Recruit Class #48 — which is made up of 46 firefighters, representing 24 fire departments from across the state — will officially complete their 14-week residential based training program on Thursday.

The graduation ceremony will be held at the Connecticut Police Academy, 285 Preston Avenue in Meriden, beginning at 1:30 pm.

East Haven Fire Chief Douglas Jackson will serve as the keynote speaker for the ceremony.

And East Haven Fire Department recruits Robert Black of Milford, Casey Blake of Wallingfor and Gordon Stewart of Milford will be among the graduates honored during tomorrow's celebration.

In addition to East Haven, this fall's class roster consists of firefighters representing fire departments in Allingtown, Cromwell, East Farmington, East Hartford, East Putnam, Fairfield, Hamden, Killingworth, Lebanon, Litchfield, Manchester, Milford, North Branford, North Haven, Norwalk, Old Saybrook, Ridgefield, Roxbury, Stratford, Vernon, West Shore, Westport and Willimantic. 

A full list of this season's recruits is posted in the gallery that accompanies this article.

The recruits have been undergoing intensive daily training at the Connecticut Fire Academy campus since Sept. 12, focusing on developing knowledge, skills and abilities needed for entry level firefighters. 

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 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.