MARLBOROUGH – The Marlborough Fire Department celebrated two new firefighters as it also honored the retirement of another firefighter earlier this month.
Michael Lupisella and Alexander Peckham both graduated from the Bridgewater Campus of the Department of Fire Services/Massachusetts’ Fire Academy on the morning of April 8.
The Academy’s 10-week recruit program actually begins with a fitness evaluation session 6 weeks before participants can begin the program itself.
A candidate’s physical fitness is evaluated to help them to prepare for the challenges they will encounter in their training. The academy training then starts with a basic introduction to the equipment candidates will be using both at the academy and when they return to their respective departments. This is followed by basic training in the use of ropes and tying knots, operating fire pumps, throwing ladders, using self-contained breathing apparatus, and performing hose evolutions. Recruits eventually perform live fire evolutions at the academy’s burn building.
Recruits also get training in flammable gas firefighting and hazmat operational level response.
Lupisella was presented with his graduation certificate by Marlborough Fire Chief Chief Kevin Breen and his father, Massport Fire Department Firefighter Dean Lupisella.
Michael’s brother Matt is also on the Marlborough Fire Department. Michael is a Marine Corps veteran and previously was a police officer in Pittsfield and Leominster
Peckham was presented his certificate by Breen and his father, Marlborough Fire Lieutenant Michael Peckham.
Lupisella has been assigned to Battalion 3 while Peckham has been assigned to Battalion 1.
Firefighter Eric Clapper, likewise, retired effective April 10. Clapper was appointed to the Marlborough Fire Department on February 27, 1989.
After graduation from the District 14 Fire Academy, he was assigned to Group 2 where he spent his entire career.
Clapper resides in Holliston with his wife Jeanne and his daughter Stephanie.
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