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DRACUT — Fire Chief Richard Patterson and the Dracut Fire Department announced that firefighters Andrew Poitras, Ronald Patterson III (no relation to the chief) and Michael Silva, who are also EMTs, graduated last week from the 10-week Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Career Recruit Program.
Poitras, 29, is an Army veteran. Ronald Patterson, 22, is a Dracut native and third-generation firefighter. His father, Lt. Ronald Patterson Jr., and grandfather, Ronald Patterson, work and worked for the Lynn Fire Department. Silva, 23, is also a Dracut native.
The academy prepares firefighters for basic firefighting, including search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation, fire attack and life safety lessons, as well as non-fire responses and hazardous material response.
The firefighters were among 26 who graduated with the Firefighting Academy’s 304th Class, representing the Dracut, Acton, Attleboro, Billerica, Blackstone, Chelmsford, Gardner, Lexington, Plainville, Tewksbury, Westford, Wilmington and Woburn fire departments.
“I congratulate Firefighters Poitras, Patterson and Silva, who completed the rigorous training offered at the Firefighting Academy,” said Chief Patterson. “The three men will be a welcome addition to our department, and I am pleased to welcome them to our team that is dedicated to protecting Dracut.”
LOWELL — This weekend’s “Lowell Drives Electric” event at Heritage Ice Cream already includes nearly 100 registrants, who will display dozens of models of electric and hybrid cars and SUVs.
The event takes place Saturday, Sept. 24, from noon to 4 p.m., at 500 Pawtucket Boulevard.
Attendees will share stories of the nearly 1 million combined miles driven among the group.
This event dovetails with National Drive Electric Week, which introduces consumers and enthusiasts to the latest trends and technologies on a national level, and Massachusetts is a leader in the cause.
Massachusetts ranks third in the U.S. for overall EV readiness, second for EV infrastructure and 10th for EV incentives, according to a recent survey by Bumper.
CONCORD — The streets surrounding West Concord Village will fill with music for the third annual West Concord Porchfest on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 1 to 5 p.m. (rain date is Sunday). Porchfest is a free, all-ages grassroots community music festival.
The festival event hub will be the parking lot of the Harvey Wheeler Community Center (park in the MBTA commuter lot), 1276 Main St. Vendors including Debra’s Natural Gourmet (sandwiches) and Reasons to Be Cheerful (ice cream). Grab a map to guide you around the neighboring streets to hear live music throughout the afternoon. For information on parking, bands and locations, visit bit.ly/3C1U1Eg.
CHELMSFORD — “Remembering Felix: Felix Brow Memorial Art Exhibit,” features the work of the late Felix Brow. The show also features artwork from the book “Mandelbrot the Tree” by Noah Clawson, which is dedicated to Felix, and photography by veteran Lowell Sun photographer David Brow.
Felix was a Chelmsford artist who died of mesothelioma cancer in December 2018 at age 29, and is now interred in the Forefathers Burying Ground. Meet family, friends and other artists in this celebration of Felix’s life on Monday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. It is also Mesothelioma Awareness Day. More information can be found at findingfelixmemorial.blogspot.com and chelmsfordlibrary.org/art-exhibits.
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