L-R: Newly pinned and sworn in Fairhaven firefighters Michael Farias, Jordan Cabral, Scott Rittenhouse, Shawn Oliveira, listen during a ceremony outside of Fairhaven Town Hall on 9/21/20 when they were sworn in by the town clerk and had their badges pinned on them by their relatives. Photo courtesy of the Fairhaven Fire Department.
By Jean Perry, Neighb News Correspondent
The pinning ceremony for graduates of the Massachusetts Fire Academy usually occurs during the graduation ceremony, but the pandemic changed all that, resulting in an outdoor gathering of the new recruits, their families, and Fairhaven firefighters and town officials on the front lawn of Town Hall the evening of 9/21.
“We could not be more proud of them,” said Fairhaven Fire Chief Timothy Francis as he introduced Fairhaven’s four newest firefighters: Michael Farias, Jordan Cabral, Scott Rittenhouse, and Shawn Oliveira.
Mr. Farias, joined the department in July 2019. He graduated from the academy in March, 2020, at the start of the pandemic. He is nationally certified as a paramedic and worked as one in Wareham for a number of years.
Mr. Farias was this year’s recipient of the Mass Fire Academy’s top recruit award, the Richard N. Bangs Award, which is given to the outstanding student of each graduating class.
“That’s a big deal, because that’s never been done in Fairhaven before,” said the chief. “Michael did a great job for us in the academy, and the rest of them also are going to do a great job for us here.”
Fairhaven Fire Lieutenant Douglas Silveira presented Mr. Farias with the award that night, and his mother, Elizabeth Farias, pinned her son’s badge on him.
Mr. Cabral joined the Department in November 2019 and graduated from the academy in August 2020. He has worked as a nationally certified paramedic in New Bedford and lives in Fairhaven. Cabral’s uncle, Acushnet Police Sergeant Gary Cooper, pinned the badge to Cabral’s uniform.
Mr. Rittenhouse, of Fairhaven, joined the Fairhaven department in November 2019 and graduated from the academy in August 2020. Also a nationally certified paramedic, he has spent years working as a paramedic in New Bedford. He wife, Courtney, pinned his badge on him.
Mr. Oliveira, of New Bedford, was hired in Fairhaven in November 2019 and graduated from the academy on September 11, 2020. His wife, Jenna, performed the badge pinning while holding their young son, Grayson, in her arms.
The four were sworn-in by Town Clerk Carolyn Hurley.
“The Mass Fire Academy is a highly competitive academy,” said Chief Francis. “The recruits from all over the commonwealth — each one of these recruits performs with commitment, dedication, and respect…. Their averages were all better than the class averages … so we’re very proud of that.”
Their stellar performance, said Chief Francis, is because of the guidance given the recruits from the four shift lieutenants.
Fairhaven Selectboard Chairperson Daniel Freitas congratulated the new firefighters, saying, “I know from experience that you are joining the elite force of our country, I think, personally.”
Mr. Freitas said he has heard all sorts of complaints since becoming a Selectboard member, like dogs barking and trees on sidewalks: “But one thing I’ve never heard a complaint about is the Fire Department.”
After the ceremony, the Selectboard members offered the new recruits a few congratulatory words and plenty of fist bumps.
•••
Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News with PayPal.
Click here to download the entire 9/24/20 issue: 09-24-20 HuttlestonMP
