Windsor Locks CT- The Connecticut State Fire Academy plays host each year to a number of programs geared toward not just adults in the fire service but also the Youth of the fire service as well. Each summer the CT Fire Academy hosts Introduction to Fire Service ( ITTFS) and Advanced Skills and Concepts (ASAC) programs. The ITTFS program is a Residential 6 day Summer Session program held at the Academy the program provides a vast curriculum of the fire service which includes class room education , physical training and hands on skills training about items related to the fire service.

This year ITTFS Class 50 was held from August 1, 2022 to August 6, 2022. Class 50 Consisted of Approximately 26 Cadets in the program a majority of them Junior Firefighters/ Explorers from the state of Connecticut. This year class also consisted of 2 cadets from the Mastic Fire Department Explorer Post 512 located on Long Island NY . Explorers Captain Connor Jacobs and Explorers Lieutenant Jack McNamara were able to go up to Connecticut and hone their skills as part of ITTFS Class 50. They were able to not just train with the youths from CT but by the end of Monday ( Day 1 ) friendships and bonds were formed.

On August 6th a graduation ceremony was held for the cadets at the CT Fire Academy in Windsor Locks. The ceremony started with a brief memorial service at the States Fallen firefighter memorial located on the grounds of the Academy. The Cadets then marched across the roadway to the field where the formal graduation ceremony was held. Brief remarks were made welcoming the guests and talking about the program-by-Program Coordinator Kenneth McKenna and CFD Director of Training PJ Norwood. The Class Public Information Officer who was elected by his Peers Jonathan Sartori gave a rundown of the events of the week and recognized the cadets from NY as well. Each cadet was able to have representatives from their department present to assist with certificate presentations. The Mastic Fire Department Chief of Department Rudy Sunderman and Explorer Advisor Walter Wood made the trip up to Connecticut to help in the recognition of their Cadets. Also present were representatives from each of the CT departments.

After receiving the certificate the cadets demonstrated their skills with a high-rise fire scenario at the training tower. Mastic Explorer Lt Jack McNamara was given the role of Incident Commander ( District 4 Chief). His aid was Matthew Fago O Hebron FD CT. The other cadets were all assigned to a Engine or Truck and given various roles in the operation from Making entry , stretching lines to rescuing victims and other tasks. This demonstration got to show the parents, friends, elected officials and media/photographers a small portion of what the kids learned. They were then Invited to stay for some lunch provided by the Academy before heading home.