Snow, and later driving rain on every Saturday training day for weeks, and, of course, mud. Training is grueling in such conditions, but fires and related incidents happen and must be fought in all conditions and the students plugged through it.

They trained on Mother’s Day, undertaking vehicle extractions. They learned how to crawl through smoke, and much more. And the ultimate outcome was satisfying for the York County Chief’s Association Firefighter 1 and 2 students who became graduates on Thursday, June 26 at ceremonies held at Sanford Performing Arts Center.

It was a heady occasion and commenced with the York County students and those from the Sanford Regional Technical Center’s firefighting classes being piped into the performing arts center by retired firefighter and longtime bagpipe player Dave McLean with “Scotland the Brave.”

“You studied, you stressed, and you passed,” said program manager Lindsay Martin-Hunt, deputy chief at Ross Corner Fire Department. “You are no longer students, you are firefighters. You are part of our community now.”

Firefighting is very much a community – one that stretches across state lines. Not only did the York County class of 18 students hail from eight York County locations, but from Atkinson, Madbury and Plaistow, New Hampshire, as well.

The ceremonies also marked the graduation of 18 Sanford technical center students who underwent Firefighter 1 and 2 training as part of their high school studies.

“It was an awful a lot of fun helping get you to where you are tonight, and it will be a lot of fun to see where you’re going,” Sanford instructor Harold Smith told his students.

The newly minted firefighters mingled before the ceremonies, trading stories and well wishes for the future.

Ray Mundigler, of Wells, has been engaged in a career in the service industry but was intrigued when a buddy suggested firefighting might be a good fit. Mundigler is a call firefighter at Wells Fire Department. “I love it. I absolutely love it,” he said.

Jordan Riddick had been an EMT for six years when she took a full-time job with the Biddeford Fire Department in November. She completed a five-month “rookie school,” and when that ended, undertook the Firefighter 1 and 2 program.

“I wanted something that provided additional opportunities,” said Riddick.

Kyle DeGrace, of Lebanon, joined the firefighter explorer program in Northwood, New Hampshire, went on to join the fire department there, and took an EMT course. Now, he works for both Lebanon and Northwood fire departments – and later this year is poised to enter the U.S. Army, where he plans to become a medic.

“It’s interesting work, and I am able to help people at their worst times,” he said.

Susan Field, a former carpenter who later taught health and safety for the carpenters’ union, said she joined the Kennebunkport Fire Department call force in September. “This is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done in my life,” she said.

Students completing the 240-hour Firefighter 1 and 2 courses learned search and rescue techniques, firefighter health and safety, fire behavior, personal protective equipment, forcible entry, fire attack, ground ladder operations, ropes and knots, hose advancement, ventilation, use of tools and appliances and more.

Sanford technical center student Kelsey Chagnon, of York High School, said she took the firefighting course because she thought it would be interesting and it met that expectation. She plans to take the EMT course in Sanford in the fall.

“This definitely inspired me for my career,” said Andrew Goodrow Olson, of Lebanon.

During the ceremonies, the York County Chiefs Association Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to longtime Saco Fire Department Call Division Chief Raynald Legendre for his 30 years of service to the Firefighter 1 and 2 program.

Legendre, said York County Chief’s Association President and Hollis Fire Chief Chris Young, shaped dozens of firefighters, and described him as a mentor.

“It’s no small feat to leave a legacy, and Ray has done just that,” said Young.

During the ceremonies, Tim Comtois, of Lebanon, was named the association’s Student of the Year, and Mike Audet, of Biddeford, was named Instructor of the Year.

“I’m proud of you, and your instructors, the chiefs and your families are proud of you,” Martin-Hunt told the graduates. “Get out there, stay safe, and stay proud and crazy enough to keep doing this job.”

Tammy Wells is media specialist for York County Government.