SHOWN ARE THE PARTICIPANTS in the Maine Fire Service Institute Officer Academy.

SHOWN ARE THE PARTICIPANTS in the Maine Fire Service Institute Officer Academy.

BRUNSWICK

Twenty-six Maine firefighters have completed the training and graduated from the Maine Fire Service Institute’s Officer Academy to prepare them for leadership roles at fire departments across the state.

A graduation ceremony was held Saturday, March 18, at the University of Maine Hutchinson Center in Belfast. The institute is a department of Southern Maine Community College and provides training and education services to Maine’s firefighters. It is located on SMCC’s Midcoast Campus in Brunswick.

The weeklong academy focused on legal issues, budgeting, media relations, conflict resolution and other topics that are part of the job for chiefs and other fire officials. Those who complete the academy meet the training requirements for national fire officer certification through the Pro Board Fire Service Professional Qualifications System, also known as Pro Board.

Graduates from this year’s Officer Academy came from fire departments in Bar Harbor, Biddeford, Caribou, Durham, Gardiner, Presque Isle, Rockland, Saco, Sanford, Waterville and Winslow.

Southern Maine Community College is Maine’s largest and oldest community college. Founded in 1946, SMCC offers courses at its South Portland and Brunswick campuses, at community satellite locations and online. SMCC has among the lowest tuition and fees in New England, and offers more than 40 degree programs.


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