The Gloucester Fire Department has welcomed two new firefighters.
Kyle Hurst and Nick Rodriguez, both firefighter/EMTs, graduated Dec. 1 from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program with Class 344. They were among 28 firefighters who graduated from the 50-day program.
Both men intend to begin paramedic training next year, according to the Fire Department.
Hurst, a Rockport native of Rockport, served five years as an infantryman with the U.S. Army’s 2nd Ranger Battalion, deploying to Afghanistan and Syria in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel and Operation Inherent Resolve. Upon returning home, he worked as an EMT on the North Shore. He has a bachelor’s degree in criminology from the University of Southern Maine.
Rodriguez grew up in Malden and Everett, and graduated from Everett High School. He then served five years in the U.S. Marine Corps as a tactical data network system specialist. He deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. After being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, Rodriguez worked in information technology until 2023, when he obtained his EMT-B certification and began working for Cataldo Ambulance.
“I’m pleased to welcome two highly-qualified veterans to the ranks of the Gloucester Fire Department,” Chief Eric Smith said in a prepared statement. “Both of these men served our country with distinction, and now the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy has prepared them to keep the city of Gloucester safe. I look forward to seeing where their careers will take them.”
— Times Staff
In other news taken from the logs of Cape Ann’s police and fire departments:
Rockport
Wednesday, Dec. 24
2:28 a.m.: Poor road conditions were reported all over town.
2:04 a.m.: A mini-beat was conducted at the intersection of Granite Street and Gott Avenue.
1:25 a.m.: An area check was conducted at the Whistle Stop Mall.
1:21 a.m.: An area check was conducted on Bearskin Neck.
1:17 a.m.: A building on Broadway was checked and secured.
Tuesday, Dec. 23
1:26 p.m.: A report was made about lost and found property on Thatcher Road.
12:12 p.m.: A motor vehicle lockout was reported on Jerden’s Lane.
10:06 a.m.: A police wellness check was conducted on Main Street.
6:35 a.m.: A mini-beat was conducted on High Street.
Gloucester
Thursday, Dec. 11
9:17 a.m.: Service was provided for a car crash with property damage only at Flannagan Service Station in Flannagan Square.
Parking complaints: No action was need at Tonno on Main Street at 9:15 a.m. Service was provided at Centennial and Harold avenues.
8:44 a.m.: A harassment prevention order could not be served on Western Avenue.
Medical emergencies:Calls from High Street at 7:09 a.m., Friend Street at 7:41 a.m. and Mansfield Street at 8:26 a.m. were referred to other agencies.
7:21 a.m.: Service was provided for a burglar alarm activation at Railroad Variety on Railroad Avenue.
6:25 a.m.: An individual was assisted at Richdales on East Main Street.
5:56 a.m.: A property was checked on Grapevine Road.
1:45 a.m.: A citation/warning was issued during a traffic stop on Washington Street at Riverside Drive.
Wednesday, Dec. 10
4:33 p.m.: A vehicle crash at the intersection of Magnolia and Essex avenues resulted in injuries.
4:17 p.m.: A report from Winchester Court of person being bit in the past by a dog was referred to another agency.
3:13 p.m.: A tree limb said to be in the roadway on Thatcher Road at Witham Terrace could not found.
Suspicious activity: Service for a suspicious vehicle was rendered on Essex Avenue at 6:02 p.m. Searches of Main Street for a person at 7:12 p.m. and Veterans Way at 10:54 p.m. turned up nothing untoward.
Medical emergencies: Calls from the Cape Ann YMCA on Gloucester Crossing Road at 6:34 p.m., for a lift assist for a 91-year-ol man on Washington Street at 9:25 p.m. and for a sick female on Mussel Point Road were referred to other agencies.
8:04 p.m.: A property check on Reservior Road required no further action.
6:55 p.m.: A Bray Street building was checked and secured after a burglar alarm in the basement sounded.
6:38 p.m.: A detective interview took place at the police station/courthouse as part of an investigation.
6:24 p.m.: Help for an unwanted guest was given on Granite Street.
Car crashes with property damage only: Service was provided for a past hit-and-run on East Main Street at 5:50 p.m and on Washington Street at 6:15 p.m.
5:56 p.m.: A report of drug activity on Shepherd Street was under investigation.
4:59 p.m.: A person could not be located on Harbor Loop as part of a follow-up investigation.
Well-being checks: Service was provided on Prospect Street at 3:01 p.m. while the subject of a request could not found on Main Street in the area of The Dress Code.