BRUNSWICK — Eighteen Maine firefighters, including five from York County, have completed rigorous training and graduated from the Maine Fire Service Institute’s Officer Training Academy to prepare them for leadership roles at fire departments across the state.

A graduation ceremony was held March 17 at the Hutchinson Center in Belfast, an outreach center of the University of Maine.

The Maine Fire Service Institute is a department of Southern Maine Community College and provides training and education services to Maine’s firefighters. It is located on SMCC’s Midcoast Campus in Brunswick.

The weeklong academy focused on legal issues, budgeting, media relations, conflict resolution and other topics that are part of the job for chiefs and other fire officials.

Those who complete the academy meet the training requirements for national fire officer certification through the Pro Board Fire Service Professional Qualifications System, also known as Pro Board.

Graduating officers from York County include:

Biddeford Fire Department: Derick Ouellette

Saco Fire Rescue: Eric Lane

Sanford Fire Rescue: Dale Bourque

Wells Fire Rescue: Wayne Ham, David Tobeck

Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) is Maine’s largest and oldest community college.

Founded in 1946, SMCC offers courses at its South Portland and Brunswick campuses, at community satellite locations and online. SMCC has among the lowest tuition and fees in New England and offers more than 45 degree programs.