Project Green and Still Responding presented to Firefighter I Program

On December 18, the Middlefield Fire Company and MCFS Firefighter I Program hosted two guest lecturers to the program. Firefighter Paul Spennato of the Westport Fire Department presented his program “Still Responding: Firefighter Cancer Awareness” to our students. This program explains Paul’s personal experience with occupational cancer, his treatment, and the steps and resources available to work through a cancer diagnosis. Paul has been spreading his message to firefighters all over our state and beyond in recent years in hopes to give them the support they need to protect themselves while working as firefighters.

Firefighter Pete Nichio also presented his program “Project Green”. This program helps firefighters recognize and understand the signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post traumatic stress. It also focuses on peer support and how to guide your peers to resources so that they can get needed help during a critical time. Pete is a 20 year veteran of the fire service, a Westport Firefighter, retired National Guard Staff Sergeant and Veteran of the U.S. Marines.

Both of these programs provide a deep look into issues plaguing the American Fire Service that aren’t contained in the Firefighter I manual. Our students and instructors benefit greatly from these additional presentations to better prepare them to be successful in the fire service. We are forever grateful for the powerful message these brothers spread and for taking time out of the busy schedules to be with our students who are just starting out their fire service careers.

https://www.facebook.com/stillresponding/