Norfolk firefighter Eric Eszlari was among 20 firefighters who recently graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy's 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program in Bridgewater.

The graduates of Career Recruit Class #BW40 represented 12 fire departments across Massachusetts, including Norfolk.

During the 10-week program, recruits received classroom and practical training in basic firefighter skills, including life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation and fire attack. Training also covered hazardous materials, fire behavior and suppression tactics, public fire education, stress management and self-rescue techniques.

Upon completing the program, Eszlari and his fellow graduates met national standards and earned certification as Firefighter I/II and Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations through the Massachusetts Fire Training Council.

"Massachusetts firefighters are on the frontlines protecting their communities every day, and today's graduates are needed now more than ever," State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine said. "The hundreds of hours of foundational training they've received will provide them with the physical, mental, and technical skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely."