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.

Practice Makes Perfect

By: Lt. Robert Furst

Company 19-A took some time this past Tuesday to practice a basic fire service drill of hose line deployment and management. The crew deployed and repacked the #2 crosslay a few times. During the drill, Lieutenant Cliff Billingslea and Master Firefighter Joe Skinner displayed a few tricks of the trade to the crew.

This drill was put into play less than an hour later. PE719 and AT719 were dispatched on a box alarm in Company 18 (Glenmont) for a building fire. The first arriving units found a small fire on the rear balcony of an end of group townhouse controlled by a sprinkler. PE719 was the Rapid Intervention Company Engine and AT719 was the second due aerial service. 

MCFRS Gas Fire Training At Washington Gas Training Facility

Engine 702, Engine 719, Tower 719, and Ambulance 702 conducting Training at the Washington Gas Facility. Video courtesy of Firefighter Bryan Riley.

Leggett Hails Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service’s Record Graduation; Recruit Class 37 is Largest Class in County Fire Service History

On July 11, 2013, the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service held its largest Recruit Class graduation ceremony in the County’s Fire Service history. Certificates for completion of the 26-week Firefighter and Rescuer training program were awarded to 70 graduates of Recruit Class 37 during the 1:00 p.m. ceremony held at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg. 

County Executive Isiah Leggett, Councilmember Phil Andrews, Fire Chief Steven Lohr and President of the Montgomery Career Firefighters Association, Local 1664, Jeffrey Buddle delivered remarks to the class, and an auditorium filled with their families and friends. 

“The dedication and sacrifice of firefighters really came to the forefront during the attacks of 9/11, and now again with the loss of the 19 elite ‘Hotshot’ firefighters in Arizona,’ said County Executive Leggett. “While this is a time to celebrate your achievements, this is also a time to remember how much will be demanded of you. On behalf of the County, we are all so grateful - in advance - for the extraordinary service you will provide to our citizens throughout your careers.” 

“You haven’t just joined a fire department, you’ve joined a family,” said Chief Lohr. “As a member of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, you will never be alone, there will always be someone with you during any challenge you may face. You’ve learned from the best and we will now expect the best from you.” 

This year, for the first time, the Chief Thomas Carr Leadership Award was presented to the member of the class who best represented the ideals and leadership of former Montgomery County Fire Chief Thomas Carr who recently lost his battle with MSA, a form of Parkinson’s disease. The winner, one of four recruits nominated by the training academy staff and voted on by class members, was Firefighter Andrew Tuzzio. 

There were over 1,000 candidates who applied to Recruit Class 37. Eighty-three were accepted into the training program. Seventy successfully graduated and have now joined the highly-respected ranks of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service. 

NORAD Exercise Planned For the National Capital Region, Washington, D.C.

I wanted to make everyone aware of a training exercise going on very early tomorrow morning that may create some noise.  Please take a moment to read the below press release from NORAD and do not be alarmed if you hear very loud, low flying aircraft between 3 - 5 AM tomorrow morning.

-Bill

NORAD exercise planned for Washington, D.C.

Feb. 7, 2012
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – The North American Aerospace Defense Command and its geographical component, the Continental United States NORAD Region (CONR), will conduct exercise Falcon Virgo 12-05 Thursday, Feb. 9, from 3-5 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) in the National Capital Region, Washington, D.C.

The exercise is comprised of a series of training flights held in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Capital Region Coordination Center, the Joint Air Defense Operations Center, Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard and CONR’s Eastern Air Defense Sector.

Exercise Falcon Virgo is designed to hone NORAD’s intercept and identification operations as well as operationally test the NCR Visual Warning System. Civil Air Patrol aircraft, Air Force F-16s and a U.S. Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter will participate in the exercise.

These exercises are carefully planned and closely controlled to ensure CONR’s rapid response capability. NORAD has conducted exercise flights of this nature throughout the U.S. and Canada since the start of Operation Noble Eagle, the command’s response to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

In the event of inclement weather, the exercise will take place the following evening. If bad weather continues, officials will then make a decision to postpone or cancel the exercise.

As the Continental United States geographical component of the bi-national command NORAD, CONR provides airspace surveillance and control, and directs air sovereignty activities for the CONUS region. CONR and its assigned Air Force and Army assets throughout the country ensure air safety and security against potential air threats.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, CONR fighters have responded to more than 3,400 possible air threats in the United States and have flown more than 59,000 sorties with the support of Airborne Warning and Control System and air-to-air-refueling aircraft.

TGIF Safety Tip: Disaster Training Opportunities Available to the Public

This is not a safety tip per se but it relates to preparedness which can, ultimately, help keep you safe during disasters.  Please take a moment to review the below and click on the link.  A really unique and FREE on line training opportunity to help keep you and your loved ones prepared and safe!

Have a safe weekend!

Bill

Overview

In times of disaster, a trained and informed public is better prepared to protect themselves, their families, their workplace and their neighbors. This webinar will showcase several disaster training resources that are available in communities across the nation. FEMA recognizes that it takes a “whole community” approach to meet the needs of the public before, during and after a disaster. Learn how your community can train and educate its citizens to be better prepared and involved in your community’s disaster response and recovery efforts.


CLICK HERE TO FOR MORE INFO AND TO ACCESS THE WEBINAR

New Volunteer Basic Orientation Class Starts With 43 People!

Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association held its latest Volunteer Basic Orientation Class which was the largest to this point! Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Richard Bowers stopped by to show his support and give the opening welcome to the group!

Forty-Three students from nine different volunteer departments participated in the training which is Nine weeks long on and was held on Friday nights. The classes included CPR and AED certification, basic Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Operations, basic fire ground operations, self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and
Incident Command modules. SCBA is the air bottle the fire fighters wear on their back to provide fresh air. PPE is all of the other protective equipment you might see a fire fighter wear at a fire.

Classes are designed to provide new members with a basic level of training and understanding as they begin their path toward becoming an emergency responder. All of the students and instructors are volunteers.

If you are interested in volunteering any time from a few hours a month to one night a week, we have emergency operations and non-emergency support positions available throughout the entire county. No experience is necessary and all training is provided FREE. To learn more, please call 240-777-2238 or email fire.recruiting@Montgomerycountymd.gov