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Mass. graduates 200th firefighting academy class

STOW, Mass. (AP) - Nearly two dozen new firefighters will be working to save lives after the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy recently held a graduation for its 200th class of recruits.

State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan says 17 fire departments around the state will be getting rookies from the class of 23 new firefighters, which included 21 men and two women.

Their nine-week training program included practice fighting flames, classroom instruction, and physical fitness training.

Coan says they also learned about responding to hazardous materials incidents, making rescues in confined spaces, and managing stress.

Recruits had to show proficiency in search and rescue techniques, pump operation, and ladder operations to graduate.