Not Your Average Driver Training

By: Lieutenant Tom Cleveland, Jr.
       Fire Station 34 A-Shift

Yesterday, personnel from Fire Station 34 (Milestone) A-Shift took advantage of the beautiful weather to drill with a future Engine driver. So off we went to Seneca Creek at Davis Mill Road and Huntmaster Road.

The scenario involved drafting from an alternate water source in non-hydrant area. This is important as there are areas of the county that do not have a fire hydrant close by. We must train all new drivers to be ready for any scenario they may encounter on a fire scene.

Spring Is In The Air And A Firefighter’s Fancy Turns To - Training!

By: Captain Rick Triplett
       Fire Station 23/A-Shift

When winter sets in, it makes it almost impossible to get out under practical conditions to prepare our personnel to become fire apparatus drivers. This is critical as all personnel must undergo a rigorous training program and testing process in order to be allowed to drive fire trucks in MCFRS.

We have two firefighters on the shift training to be an engine driver and two training to become aerial tower drivers. So when it’s 60 degrees on a Sunday all the personnel from Rockville Station 23/A-Shift took advantage of the warm weather to train.

All 11 personnel of the shift went out to pull hose lines and flow water between the engine and aerial tower to assist in the training of these future fire apparatus drivers. As well, we also took the opportunity to practice scaling buildings with the aerial tower ladder.

A great training opportunity for some to learn new skills and others to brush up on their current skill sets.

What Slows Down Emergency Responders When Every Second Counts

This from NBC Nightly News that we were a part of.  Part Two is below.

Rescue Squad Driver Training

By: Firefighter Ryan Linville

To be allowed to drive any fire truck in MCFRS, you need to complete various classroom and practical training and tests as it relates to a particular type of fire truck.  Currently, I am working on my driver’s training portion for the Rescue Squad.  Captain Mike Green is my trainer and officer on my shift and has helped push me further to be a top notch firefighter.

On the practical portions, Captain Green goes the extra mile and sets up drills for me instead of just having me complete a basic skill. What you see in the pictures below is us lifting a four thousand pound van off a car using hydraulic jacks and then air bags. With these scenarios we have to use paratech struts and massive amount of cribbing to make the drill complete.

All the techniques are very basic to very complex. He tests my ability to know all inventory and all capacities of equipment to the smallest detail. In short, once I'm done with his training the drivers training book will be child's play.

Many thanks to all of the people involved in this drill on my shift, 3-C, to help me complete my training.  We are a very tight knit shift and I feel as though everyone on it wants to see me succeed and become a Squad driver.

                                                                                             

                                                                                                   

                                       

                                                                                                                                                                                                     

FREE Conference for Fire - Rescue - EMS - Safety & Health Personnel

Arrive Alive & Survive 2011 Conference
Fire - Rescue - EMS -
Safety & Health

April 8-9, 2011
Montgomery County Public Safety Training Center
  9710 Great Seneca Highway          
Rockville, Maryland 20850

Arrive Alive and Survive is a national conference for all public safety personnel.  In previous years this conference has included best safety practices for the fire service. These best practices focused on dealing with all aspects of successful safety, health, and wellness programs in the fire service.

You may register online, review directions and lodging information, and view the agenda.


Presentations to include:
Keynote Presentations by Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder to include:

• Who Is In Your Wallet? Why EVERYONE Does Not Come Home…
• The First Due Company Officer, Working Fire… “Those SOP’s Don’t Apply to Me”.

In addition:

• The Role of Occupational Medicine Programs in Reducing Firefighter Morbidity and Mortality
• Overview of Emergency Driver Training
• Fire Scene Safety and Health Hazards
• Fire Chief’s Roundtable- Montgomery, Alexandria, Fairfax City, and Arlington- Discussion of their department’s current health, safety, and wellness programs.

By attending both days one would have the opportunity to attend all breakout sessions

Session topics include:

• Maintain Don’t Gain
• Flammable Liquid Response/ Ethanol Emergencies
• Chemical Suicide Response

Please contact Patrick Powell with questions at (202) 962-3278.