The Van Buren Township Fire Department will offer insight into the inner workings of firefighting during the second Citizen’s Fire Academy. During the nine-week classes, citizens can learn the tactics and strategies involved in firefighting and rescue operations through both classroom and hands-on sessions, according to Battalion Chief Ron Folks.

The academy classes will meet from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesdays from Sept. 8 through Oct. 27. There will be one Saturday class from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Oct. 23.

“The academy exists to better inform the community it serves about the multitude of services it provides,” Folks said in a prepared statement.

Participants will have the opportunity to receive CPR certification and AED training, as well as the knowledge of how to react positively in the event of a fire or medical emergency and how to select and use the proper fire extinguisher. Highlights of the class include live first aid training and the opportunity to actually work a shift and ride along on emergency calls with township firefighters and EMTs.

All the instructors are members of the Van Buren Township Fire Department, Folks said, and have attained a minimum certification of State of Michigan Firefighter II and, in most cases, much higher levels of certification have been attained.
“These highly qualified personnel are committed to providing information to participants in a professional manner, with the intent of providing individualized instruction to every participant.
A realistic balance of classroom time and practical exercises make the course both informative and interesting.

“To this end, class size is limited, allowing for good interaction between instructors and participants while maintaining a safe learning environment,” Folks said.

The Citizens Fire Academy is open to those 18 and older who live or work in Van Buren Township. Participants must have no prior felony convictions and a routine police background check is part of the selections process. Classes are limited to 20 students and there is no cost for the program.

Applications can be obtained at any Van Buren Fire Station and should be returned no later than Sept. 6.
For more information, contact Folks at (734)699-8900.

For the past two months, Firefighter Capt. Jason Cox, Firefighter Lt. Paul Frew and Firefighter Joseph Messia have been holding workshops two days a week. During these training sessions, which are called Rapid Intervention Team Training (RITT), firefighters practice basic skills on how to save their own lives in fire.

“Our number one mission is saving lives,” said Cox, who also is a Massachusetts Fire Academy instructor. “We’re here to help civilians, but who is going to save the firefighters?”

A few years ago, Cox said, the Phoenix Arizona Fire Department, one of the most cutting edge departments in the country, lost a firefighter due to smoke inhalation. Since that incident, he said, the Phoenix department started looking into ways to prevent further deaths from happening to the rest of the nation’s firefighters.

In recent years, Massachusetts has been offering training sessions for Rapid Intervention. Over the past couple of years, Cox, Frew and Messia have become certified to teach these trainings to their fellow firefighters. Many large cities, such as Quincy and Brockton, have begun these trainings. Cox and Frew said they believe Randolph and Stoughton are the first towns of their size in the area hold the trainings.

The department uses the abandoned Hollywell Nursing Home on North Main Street for training along with props donated to them by Cape Cod Lumber. Cox and Frew said they are appreciative of Town Manager David Murphy for allowing them to use the facility.

One of the skills the firefighters practice in this training session, Cox said, is the “long lug out.” When firefighters get disoriented, they are taught to figure out the direction of the exit by feeling the hose. To simulate smoke in the building, firefighters are blindfolded because there is zero percent visibility in smoke.

Once the training progresses, the firefighters will put all their knowledge to use. Cox said for the final portion of the training, they will place a dummy in the building, give a “may-day” callout and tell the firefighters to find it without any assistance. Cox said the training sessions is something he hopes will continue.

To make sure all the firefighters take part in the sessions, Cox keeps a tally of everyone who attends.

Cox and Frew said the trainings have gone well so far.

Frew said he has noticed an enhanced enthusiasm in the firefighters as the training progresses.

“I do seen an improvement in the guys,” he said. “They are getting motivated about the training.”

“It’s infectious,” Cox said. “Once the motivation takes off, you can see it throughout the department.”

So far, Cox said firefighters have not had to use the Rapid Intervention techniques to save themselves. However, he said many have used the skills to save civilians’ lives.

Both men said they chose to be instructors for the intervention training because saving lives – for civilians and firefighters – is something they are “passionate” about.

Frew recalled how Worcester lost six firefighters in a warehouse fire 10 years ago and Boston has lost several over the years.

“When that happens, everyone sits back and takes a look and says, ‘What can we do to prevent this in the future?’ ” he said. “This training is for firefighters.”

Fire Chief Charles Foley Jr. said he is pleased that his department has three men with the ability to teacher Rapid Intervention.

“I’m very excited we’re able to facilitate this important training for everyone here,” he said.

Teresa A. Franco may be reached at tfranco@cnc.com.

Kiefer will tour the facility and meet with university representatives, Nevada National Guard representatives, members of the Bryan Task Force, and local community leaders to discuss the current and potential future role of the FSA as a national emergency response training asset.

“Having Dr. Kiefer visiting the FSA is very exciting,” Denise Baclawski, executive director of the Fire Science Academy, said in an announcement. “Dr. Kiefer’s visit is a very important step in our efforts to establish a stable, long term funding source for the FSA, similar to funding sources of other national training facilities. The FSA is continuing our efforts to establish important federal relationships that will hopefully lead to the FSA being recognized as a national emergency response training asset, capable of providing flammable-liquid fire fighting training to industrial and municipal firefighters from across the United States.”

The National Fire Academy is one of two schools in the United States operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Operated and governed by the U.S. Fire Administration as part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the NFA is the core of the nation’s efforts in fire service education.

For more information, contact the Fire Science Academy at (775) 754-6003

Firefighters will also bring out their boots from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 20 and 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 27.

“Time and again, these lifesaving heroes give so much of themselves for ‘my kids,’” MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis said. “I hope people will see their tireless dedication and be moved and inspired to do their part.”

One benefit of Firefighters’ efforts is MDA Summer Camp. It costs the nonprofit $800 to send a child, age 6-17, to camp at no charge to his or her family. Campers enjoy an activity-packed, week-long getaway as they swim, fish, play water games, make crafts and more.

Summer Camp is just one of the many services MDA offers to local families battling muscular dystrophy. The donations collected by the Firefighters will also help fund local clinics and support groups, as well as fund vital research aimed at treatments and cures for neuromuscular diseases.

CITIZENS’ FIRE ACADEMY

The Cookeville Fire Department is now accepting nominations for the Fall 2010 Citizens Fire Academy. Classes meet at City Hall every Tuesday night, from 6pm to 9pm, for ten weeks beginning August 31st and will conclude on November 2nd.

For more information please call (931) 520-5252 or email Bob Lynch at blynch@cookeville-tn.org. Deadline for applications is August 24, 2010.

The training committee, with the assistance Walter Morris and Phil Meunier of Maine Fire Training and Education, developed and implemented firefighter-training classes for Waldo County firefighters. The Waldo County Firefighter Training Committee’s mission is to provide certified local training, professional development and teamwork. In the past, the majority of trainings were at weekend attack schools held in Winslow, Bethel and Gorham twice a year.

The logistics of attack schools for volunteers developed into a concern with cost, personnel coverage and time away from family. Providing local training would allow for flexibility of year-round training that could be scheduled to meet the needs of local fire departments and students.

A major benefit of allowing volunteers to train locally is the ability to spend more time with family without having to travel across the state to attend classes. The cost of providing local training would also produce savings. Funds raised are invested in Waldo County training programs and training facility improvements. This will enable us to provide more training opportunities at a saving to fire departments and taxpayers.

Four classes where chosen based on requests from fire chiefs, firefighters and recommendations from MFT&E. The classes chosen were Strategy and Tactics for Initial Company Operations, Preparation for Initial Company Operations, Scene Support and Basic Fire Attack School. The classes were held at the Waldo County Technical Center and at the Waldo County Firefighter Association training building.

On June 5, the Basic Fire Attack School ended the first Waldo County Fire Academy with live-burn fire training. One hundred twenty firefighters from all over Waldo County have completed 3,860 hours of hands-on and classroom training since January. If firefighters were paid for training at $12 an hour, it would have a value of $46,320.

The success of Waldo County Fire Academy could not have happened without support from local businesses, community, Waldo County fire departments, firefighters’ families, and MFT&E. Over $10,000 worth of supplies, material and labor were donated to support the Waldo County Fire Academy.

The Waldo County Firefighters Association and the Waldo County Firefighter Training Committee thank the following businesses and community members for their support of the Waldo County Fire Academy: Viking Lumber, EBS of Rockland and Belfast, Buxton Service, Robbins Lumber, Sprowl Building Components, Doak’s Machine Shop, Thompson Oil, Belfast Variety, Morrill General Store, Webber Energy, State Sand and Gravel, Lucas Construction, Ames Farm Equipment Repair, Maine Fire Training and Education, Phil Meunier, Walter Morris, Mike Drinkwater, Tom Johnson, Waldo County Fire Departments and Ambulance services, EMA-Dale Rowley and Olga Rumney, Chris Downing, Director Waldo County Tech Center, Drew Fales, Mark Hannibal, and students from Waldo County Tech Center, Pegi Quimby, George Stone, Clyde Rolerson, Brian Simmons, Bub and Juanita Raven, Kyle Gibbs and family, Gene Newton, David Oliver, Unity House of Pizza, Town of Morrill, Morrill Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, Village Soup, and David Oliver.

The 10 recruits battled a purposely set diesel-fueled blaze Monday while several veteran members of the department watched — all of whom were in full fire gear amid blistering temperatures.
The fire was set in an old water tank at the department’s training grounds, which used to be the city’s wastewater treatment plant. More than 150 gallons of fuel were set ablaze to demonstrate the different techniques used to put out fuel fires.
Although fighting fires is an obvious part of the eight-week academy, Assistant Fire Chief Randy Villines said the program is much more than just lugging around hoses.
“There’s a lot more to the firefighting career than most people understand,” he said.
Recruits spend a lot of time in the classroom, Villines said, preparing for the mental necessities of fighting fires.
“You never know the situation you could be in at any moment’s notice,” he said, emphasizing that being mentally prepared is just as important as physical fitness.
Villines said the soon-to-be rookies seem enthusiastic to start, and so do the veterans.
With the influx of 10 new firefighters, the daily rotating closures of fire stations will end, Villines said, although the department won’t be fully staffed until the next seven recruits complete the upcoming academy starting next week.
The funding for the positions comes from a grant and the money freed up by the implementation of the 3/4-cent sales tax.
The sales tax was a voter-approved measure to fund the city’s fire and police pension fund. It freed up money previously funneled from the city’s budget.
That money is now being put toward hiring police and firefighters.
The $1.3 million federal SAFER grant will pay for 13 of the new full-time firefighters for two years. Fire Chief David Hall said he intends to continue funding those positions after the two years are up.

While the September 11, 2001 in the World Trade Center attack took away Terry Farrell and 342 of his companion firefighters, a fund in Terry Farrel’s memory assists assist firefighters and their families with educational schoalrships.
National Junior Firefighter Schoalrships

National Junior Firefighter Scholarship and Grant Program offers more than $100,000 in scholarships to outstanding junior firefighters.  Columbia Southern University and the NVFC have teamed up to offer two scholarships to NVFC members. One scholarship is awarded towards a bachelor’s degree and the other for an associate’s degree. Both scholarships are for two years, including tuition and textbooks.
College Scholarships for Firefighters

* The Warner College of Natural Resources at the Colorado State University offers a scholarships to firefighters.
* Oklahoma State University offers three scholarships to students in Fire Protection and Safety Technology program.
* Portland Community College offers a fire science scholarship to women and ethinic minorities who have completed 12 credits at PCC.  They offer other Fire Science scholarships to non-ethnic minorities as well.
* Seneca College also offers several scholarships for Fire Protection.
* Three Rivers Community College offers Father Larry Ouimet Memorial scholarship in Fire Technology.
* University of Maryland offers a number of Fire Protection Engineering scholarships.   Some of these scholarships are funded by companies such as GE and Honeywell while others are funded by organizations such as Maryland State Firemen’s Association.
* The University of Memphis offers Edward A. Hamilton scholarship.
* Seminole Community College in Florida offers a scholarship to students who have a minimum of 2.5 GAP and lives in Central Florida.
* Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers the $,5000 Percy Bugbee Fire Protection Engineering Scholarship from the National Fire Protection Association, to a fire protection engineering student who has demonstrated excellence in academic achievement and demonstrated intent to perform a thesis or graduate project activity aimed at improving fire protection engineering methods.
* Butte College offers The Bryan K. Zollner Memorial Scholarship benefit students with a serious interest in Butte College Fire Academy. The scholarship has been established as a lasting memorial to the memory of Bryan Zollner a brave firefighter.

Scholarships for Firefighter’s Children

* Bound Tree Legacy Scholarship – The Bound Tree Legacy Scholarship assists children of EMTs, Paramedics and Firefighters who are interested in EMT-B, EMT-I and EMT-P programs.  The scholarship pays up to $2500 in award money.
* National Law Enforcement and Firefighters Children’s Foundation Scholarship – The NLEAFCF provides hundreds of thousands of dollars in the form of scholarships and grants to children and families of law enforcement agents and firefighting personnel killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty, as well as to programs created and operated by law enforcement and firefighting organizations that aim to educate youth and their communities.
* San Francisco State University gives away up to $5,000 per scholarship to the children of firefighters.
* IAFF offers scholarships  to the sons, daughters or legally adopted children of fire fighters who have died in the line of duty to attend a university, accredited college or school of higher learning in the United States or Canada.

Robert Spears, the academy’s first coordinator, and Jason Loyd, coordinator from 2002 to 2004, joined current department chair Steve Malley in celebrating the program’s evolution over the last decade.

“One of the most important traditions in the fire service is remembering those who came before us and how they got us to where we are today,” Malley said. “That was a big reason for wanting to do this. Our history is important.”

Dr. Kevin Eaton, interim WC president, and Dean Kathy Boswell also addressed the crowd on the role of WC in the community and the origins of the program.

In a somber moment, four fire academy cadets who had passed away since graduating were recognized: B.J. Carnes, Tim Fluke, Kyle Hall and Shane Richardson.

“If one of our former cadets passes away we feel like we have lost one of our own,” Malley said. “We can’t let that loss happen without acknowledging the part they played in our academy.”

Malley also spoke on the progression of the academy over the last 10 years, including higher entrance requirements for cadets, more stringent requirements for instructors, the addition of physical fitness to the academy, improved equipment purchased by the college, the involvement of former cadets in mentoring current cadets, etc.

The evening ended with a display in Texas Hall of former academy class plaques, photos, and a 10-year birthday cake.