Groveland Story Below
WAKEFIELD – Chief Rick Smith reports that the Wakefield Police Department completed active shooter training last week.
The entire department participated in the training, which took place at Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School, 100 Hemlock Road, Wakefield, on April 19 and 21. Police transformed part of the high school to simulate an Acme Corporation building to specifically train officers on an active shooter situation at a place of business.
The fictional scenario, led by Sgt. Sean Beede, included smoke billowing from the front of the building, apparent explosions inside and two armed men holding an employee hostage on the second floor. After discovering that the gunmen fled with the hostage, the training moves outside, where officers implement tactics to retrieve the hostage.
The training also included dismantling bombs and reviewing the protocol for calling an explosive ordinance disposal unit to handle explosives.
Those who participated were divided into three groups of five. Each unit completed the training and a post-training debriefing, where organizers offered both praise and constructive criticism.
Town Administrator Stephen P. Maio rode along with a police unit in order to witness the training event. Police Chief Rick Smith also took part in the training.
“I am grateful to both our department for conducting this training and to Northeast Metro Tech for allowing us to use the building,” Chief Smith said. “Our officers performed extremely well under the conditions and I am confident the community will remain safe should an active shooter event ever occur in Wakefield.”
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An officer participates in the outdoor portion of the training at the Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School. (Courtesy Photo) |
The training included interacting with the hostage and gunmen. (Courtesy Photo) |
Officers prepare to enter the building, where armed men have taken a hostage. (Courtesy Photo) |
The training included fake explosives to impair the officers’ vision and senses as they entered the building. (Courtesy Photo) |
Groveland Fire Captain Kurt Ruchala Achieves Accreditation for the Level of Fire Chief
Captain Kurt Ruchala of the Groveland Fire Department achieved accreditation for the level of fire chief from the Massachusetts Fire Service Commission earlier this month. (Photo Courtesy of the Groveland Fire Department) |
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GROVELAND – Chief Robert B. Lay is pleased to announce that Captain Kurt Ruchala of the Groveland Fire Department was granted accreditation for the level of fire chief by the Massachusetts Fire Service Commission (FSC) on April 19. The FSC is a gubernatorial appointed board that has established a process for uniform credentialing for the level of fire chief based on education, training and experience in areas relevant to serving as fire chief. The program establishes benchmarks for training in fire and emergency service management so that chiefs may be better prepared to serve their department and community. “The program was developed after extensive research outlining those skills important to today’s fire chief,” said State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey. “The process provides an equal opportunity for the volunteer, call or full-time fire service leader to meet the minimum criteria for achieving fire chief accreditation.” Each applicant’s documentation is reviewed by a subcommittee of the Massachusetts Fire Service Commission to determine if the individual has attained a minimum level of credits for education, training and experience. “We are extremely proud of Captain Ruchala for achieving accreditation at the level of fire chief,” Chief Lay said. “He has been a tremendous asset to our department and we are honored to be able to call him one of our own.” Application for accreditation is open to all fire service members in the Commonwealth serving as chief of a department, or any person holding the rank of captain or above. Participation in the program is voluntary and all eligible personnel are encouraged to partake. Accredited participants are required to renew their credentials every three years. |
