Courses

Two Day Classes

1. ROOKIE

This course addresses the needs of new firefighters in their duties, obligations and requirements necessary for basic firefighting, and instructs them in the tactics, equipment and safety of fire ground operations. Applicants shall be new recruits in the fire service with less than one year’s experience and no prior training.

(Minimum age: 16.) Full protective gear and SCBA required. Class Limit - 32.

2. BASIC VEHICLE RESCUE

Students will learn the basics of vehicle rescue methods in this 2-Day course dealing with new and old cars plus vans and pickups. Some discussion will cover hybrid and all electric vehicles. Field work will consist of stabilization techniques plus using hand tools such as haligans, axes, wrenches, reciprocating saws and hand jacks. These will be employed to remove doors, roofs, sidewalls and perform dash rolls.

Full protective gear, including safety glasses is required – no SCBA. Class Limit - 20.

3. ADVANCED VEHICLE EXTRICATION (including School Bus)

This 2-day hands-on course builds on the fundamentals learned in Basic Vehicle Rescue and Rapid Extrication courses. Students will learn the latest in vehicle rescue tools and techniques, new vehicle technology, and will formulate vehicle rescue action plans given various vehicle rescue scenarios. This course uses reciprocating saws, hydraulic rescue tools, air bags, and pneumatic rescue tools to perform complex practical evolutions such as safely removing patients from vehicles on their side and from cars that have overturned. A portion of this course will deal with School Bus Extrication methods.

Basic Vehicle Rescue course is necessary. Full protective gear, including safety glasses is required – no SCBA. Class Limit - 20

4. CISM: GROUP CRISIS INTERVENTION

This course presents the core elements of a systematic, multi-component crisis intervention curriculum. The 2-day course prepares participants to understand a wide range of crisis intervention services, including pre and post incident crisis education, on-scene support services, intervention for individuals, demobilizations after large scale traumatic incidents, small group defusings, other significant support services and group intervention known as Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD). The course specifically focuses on several interventions including demobilizations, debriefings and CISD plus any follow-ups or referrals where necessary.

NOTE: This class is now a registered course with the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation. ICISF will issue Certificates and CEU’s for this course which may be of special interest to Mental Health Clinicians. Class Limit – 20

5. INTRODUCTION TO PUMPS

Introduction to Pumps is an entry-level pump operation course. The intent of the class is to provide the student with the basic mechanical and theoretical knowledge needed to become a pump operator. The class will help the student develop an understanding of the basic theoretical, mechanical and operational concepts that govern the use and operation of a fire pump. Emphasis is on the practical application of pump operation theory. Course content is a balance of NFPA/IFSTA published guidelines and the practical real world experiences of the instructors and past students. The class includes approximately 4 hours of classroom instruction and 8-10 hours of hands on exercises. Each exercise is specifically designed to simulate operations actually performed on fire scenes. The short evolutions are designed to provide maximum pump panel time for the students. There will also be several demonstrations of advanced operational techniques.

Full protective gear will be required – no SCBA. Class Limit - 30.

6. BUILDING SEARCH & RESCUE

This course offers students the basics of searching for and rescue of victims in residential structures. Instructors will cover incident command, rescue size-up, risk analysis, rescue strategies and techniques, rescue over ladder, and rescue team effectiveness within the context of overall fire-ground operations. Students will utilize search and rescue techniques in low – zero visibility search evolutions.

Students must be qualified in the use of Air Packs by their organization and have had a minimum 12-hour SCBA course. Full protective gear, including SCBA unit and spare cylinder is required. This course is physically demanding; it is recommended to bring knee pads and water bottles. Class Limit - 16.

7. FARMEDIC

This course will orient students to the activities and hazards found on today’s farms and the injuries, illnesses and extrication techniques associated with them. Students will visit a farm to identify conditions, scenarios, livestock and machinery they may experience during an actual call. Hands-on practice may include disentanglement from farm machinery, tractor run-over, hazardous materials or high angle rescue situations. The course uses lecture/discussion, video/slides and farm tour/practical situations.

Full protective gear will be required – no SCBA. Class Limit - 20.

8. MEDICAL FIRST RESPONSE

Learn or refresh basic CPR with new guidelines. Baby, child and adult CPR techniques, use of automated AED’s, patient assessment and related traumas. The use of oxygen and immobilization techniques for patients of all ages will be covered. There will be a practical portion to this course so students are expected to dress comfortably as they will be physically challenged.

Class Limit - 14.

9. PRE-HOSPITAL TRAUMA LIFE SUPPORT (PHTLS)

This 16 hour program offers pre-hospital clinicians the opportunity to learn, understand and practice many of the most up-to-date EMS procedures. The course combines lectures, discussion, case scenarios, and practical sessions to improve the participant's abilities to manage the multi-trauma patient. It emphasizes patient assessment and judgment skills, while offering a shared experience that helps bridge the gap between emergency care providers and hospital staff. This program is tailored to meet the needs of basic and advanced providers who wish to expand their understanding and abilities in the area of trauma management and specifically emphasizes that this is a team effort.

NOTE Prerequisite: current First Responder Certificate or Advanced First Aid

This is a two day provider course, $120 standard fee plus $75 for course material (includes NAEMT registration and latest edition book). Class Limit - 20

10. FIREFIGHTER SAFETY & SURVIVAL
This intense course will orient interior fire suppression personnel to the basics of rapid intervention. The following subjects will be incorporated in self-survival: basic equipment needs, buddy-breathing, entanglements, replacing SCBA bottles alone in the dark, fire fighter drags, disorientation, mayday drills and forms of egress. This course will educate fire suppression members who will potentially be assigned the role of rescuers in a collapse situation. It will specifically cover responsibilities, considerations and successful actions of proficient rapid intervention companies. The course will be both physically and mentally demanding with a concentrated emphasis on rescuing fire fighters in distress and self-preservation techniques.

Note that PPE damage may occur. Full protective gear, including SCBA unit and spare cylinder is required. Fire Fighter 1 Certification required. Class Limit - 20.

11. INCIDENT SAFETY OFFICER

This 2-day course examines the Incident Safety Officer’s role at emergency responses. A specific focus will be on operations within an Incident Command System (ICS) with the Safety Officer as a main theme. Response to all hazardous types of situations will be emphasized.

This is a National Fire Academy course. Class Limit – 30.

12. PPE, SCBA & DRÄGER TRAILER

This 12 hour class provides information for the firefighter through classroom and hands-on participation. Areas covered in this course include hazards encountered in today’s fire environment, physical fitness, operating principles of various types of breathing apparatus, donning techniques, emergency breathing procedures, search and rescue and preventative maintenance and service. This course includes a maze trailer as part of the practical training.

STUDENT MUST BE FACIAL HAIR COMPLIANT. Full protective gear, including SCBA unit and spare cylinder is required. This course is physically demanding; it is recommended to bring knee pads and water bottles. This is a National Fire Academy course. Class Limit – 30.

13. STRATEGY & TACTICS - BASEMENT & ATTIC FIRES
The 2-Day classroom course will depict and explain the most common causes of injuries and deaths firefighters encounter while operating in basement and attic fires. Topics will include the importance of the three phases of Size Up: Command Sequence, Logical Thought Process for Decision Making and Action Planning the Outcome of Incident Priorities. The course emphasizes the importance of using the Command Sequence during various scenarios. Selecting tactics and implementing the Action Plan while using Effective Communications and Delegating Assignments to implement the Action Plan. Incident command system, Incident Management Functions and Staging Areas defined. The goal is to give students an appreciation of how serious the problem of firefighter’s injuries and death really is to each individual.

Class limit - 25.

One Day Classes

14. INITIAL FIRE RESPONSE AND ATTACK (Offered both on Saturday & on Sunday)

This class is designed to make firefighters and officers look into their response to fires with limited manpower and a single engine company. On-scene discussions will take place involving rapid attack and the deployment of resources. This will specifically include practical applications as to what types of hose loads may deploy faster and safer than others.

Full firefighter gear required – no SCBA. Class Limit – 20.

15. ARSON INVESTIGATION BASICS AND SCENE PRESERVATION (Offered both on Saturday & on Sunday)

The course provides the student with basic Fire Investigation knowledge and skills that will aid them in what to look for and preserve during fire suppression and overhaul operations. The course instruction includes lecture, several practical exercises and is designed to walk the student through several fire scene investigations. The student will also learn the statutory obligations given to the Chief of their Departments and the Fire Service as a whole, relative to Origin and Cause determination.

Class limit - 25.

16. OUTDOOR SEARCH & RESCUE (Offered both on Saturday & on Sunday)

The course will instruct students on the proper response to an incident and how to activate resources under a unified command structure. It will provide information on how to setup a search including roles and responsibilities, how to designate a search area and most importantly the setup and initiation of a search plan. Topics that will be covered in this course will be Water Search, K-9 Teams, Air Resources, Media involvement, Community Resources, other Agencies (local, County, State and Federal), Communications Equipment plus Equipment used for Search & Rescue operations. This course is designed to make you think.

Students will be required to be outside. Exterior all-weather gear (including proper footwear) is required. Class Limit - 20.

17. RAILROAD INCIDENT SAFETY FOR FIRST RESPONDERS (Offered both on Saturday & on Sunday)

There are 9 segments to this program which is offered in both the U.S. and Canada as a certified course on Rail Safety called Operation Lifesaver. Subjects covered will include how to prepare for Railroad Incidents, Safety Issues in the Railroad environment and the six on-scene dangers to recognize. The course will also include different types of rail cars, what to look for when arriving at the scene, train emergency response documents and most importantly, how to prepare a response plan for a railroad incident.

Requires PPE for participation in the Field Exercise.
PPE in this case is - at a minimum - 1. Safety Boots/Shoes 2. Safety Glasses 3. Safety Helmet. Fire Gear is an acceptable substitute 1. Helmet (with) 2. Face Shield 3. Fire Boots. Recommended to bring gloves. Class Limit - 20.

18. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS - DISASTER PLANNING (Offered both on Saturday & on Sunday)

This course will provide information and discussion on Emergency Planning and how it relates to your position within your organization. It is designed as a comprehensive overview of why and how planning is accomplished and may be of special interest as an in-depth review for those who have been involved with the planning development. It includes case studies to ensure the planning and execution processes are compatible with resources and capabilities. Learn exactly what emergency planning is and how it relates with each level of government as well as each department within your community, and most importantly: Why have a Plan?

Class Limit - 20.

19. ADVANCED FIRE BEHAVIOR “FLASHOVER TRAINING” (Offered Saturday ONLY)

This course will teach firefighters to recognize the warning signs of flashover, centering on knowledge and techniques that may be vital clues to potential flashover situations. These techniques may give the firefighter a pre-warning of a flashover situation, thus allowing a successful escape. The course includes four hours of classroom theory and four to six hours of hands-on container time.

PRE-REQUISITE: See VFA Form for requirements on reverse side of NCIFTS application Form. Full protective gear, including SCBA unit and spare cylinder is required. This is a National Fire Academy course. Class Limit - 18

20. FOAM SYSTEMS (Offered Sunday ONLY)

This course will show you successful uses of various Foams and their appliances in structural firefighting and it focuses on the use of new technology for fire attack using foam, overhaul and exposure protection techniques. The presentation will challenge your beliefs regarding the effectiveness of fire attack using only water. In addition various standard foam applications will also be discussed to ensure an overall approach to understanding foam.

Full firefighter gear required - SCBA advisable. Class Limit - 20.