Press Release: Dudley Fire Ignites Shepherd Hill students’ interest in firefighting

February 14, 2023

Dudley Fire Ignites Shepherd Hill students’ interest in firefighting
A roomful of Shepherd Hill Regional High School students recently met State Trooper Greg Spahl, of the state Fire Marshall’s Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit, and Ritz, an arson dog for the Massachusetts State Police.
The black Labrador retriever has been trained to assist Trooper Spahl by sniffing out accelerants, such as gasoline, while the pair work together to uncover the source of a fire.
Ritz was a hit among the students as Trooper Spahl shared how fires are investigated during a classroom presentation. Later, outdoors, Ritz demonstrated a keen ability to sniff out and alert Trooper Spahl to traces of accelerants.
“The program is an introduction to firefighting,” Dudley Fire Chief Dean C. Kochanowski said. “It includes all aspects of firefighting and EMS.”
The curriculum, the chief said, is a “watered down” version of what is taught at the Fire Academy due to safety limitations when involving students.
The semester-long daily class is presently a one credit elective but if successful, it is set to become a full three credit course.

 

 
Adults from left: Dudley Fire Safety Officer Alan Brackett, Deputy Fire Chief/Assistant Emergency Director Paul Konieczny, Dudley Fire Chief Dean C. Kochanowski, State Trooper Greg Spahl.