BCC Accepting Applications to Fire Science Program

10:58AM / Wednesday, July 08, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) is now accepting applications for entrance into its Fire Science program.

The associate degree program is shared with Greenfield Community College. All Massachusetts residents who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree can attend BCC for free.

The program focuses on fire prevention and fire protection principles and techniques. Students also take general education courses, including human behavior and written and oral communication. All coursework is aligned with Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) standards. The program covers material on the most recent developments in the field and provides excellent preparation for those who work in a variety of occupations in fire science.

"The Fire Science program at BCC is an excellent way to gain credentials for people who want to become firefighters, emergency managers, fire inspectors, insurance underwriters and more," said Daniel Garner, Fire Science program advisor. "With a demonstrated need in the Berkshires for these professions, graduates of the program tend to find jobs quickly and earn competitive salaries."

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, firefighters in Massachusetts earn a median hourly wage of $34.78 and an annual mean salary of $72,330.

For more information, or to apply to the program, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/firescience.

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Allendale Pines North Affordable Manufactured Homes Sell Fast

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:17PM / Saturday, August 22, 2026

Developer Teton Management cut the ribbon on the first six hopes in the manufactured housing community earlier this year.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Just a few months after Allendale Pines North cut the ribbon on its first six homes in the new manufactured home community, units in the planned development are selling fast with both first and second phases all but sold out.

For several years, Teton Management Corp. has been planning to expand its existing Allendale Pines Mobile Community with the development of 22 planned manufactured housing units. The new development has its own entrance at 395 Cheshire Road.

The need for attainable housing has never been higher, Teton President George Whaling said.

"And where we sought the opportunity to help with that demand is, we can get folks into a home at Allendale Pines North for essentially a couple of $100 less than what it would cost for someone to rent a three-bedroom of the same quality," he said.

The corporation took over Allendale Pines, now referred to as Allendale Pines South, about 6 1/2 years ago, Whaling said.

Since then, the corporation has invested $1,000,001 in infrastructure improvements, including replacing all water and sewer lines, paving the community and installing the infrastructure needed for 10 additional units, he said.

Additionally, it has been working to clean up and improve the community, which was lacking during previous ownership, said Jason Nocher, owner of Nocher Realty, which has been hired to help sell the units.

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