By Cynthia Whitty

Ashland Firefighter Matthew Baltz graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s recruit training program in December where he completed 10 weeks of basic training. Baltz was voted to be the class spokesman and awarded the Firefighter William Cabral outstanding student given to the recruit who has the highest grades and best overall effort. 

Baltz started working in Ashland in June 2021. Since then, he completed his paramedic training and is now a Massachusetts certified paramedic, and with the completion of the academy, a certified I/II firefighter. 

Ashland Fire Department Chief Keith Robie said, “Since Matt joined [the department] in 2021, he has shown strong work ethics, commitment, and desire for the job. In his time with us, he has shown himself to be hardworking, reliable, and a great fit for the department. We look forward to many years of his firefighter/paramedic career with Ashland.”