URGENT: New Fall Training Courses Announced

URGENT: New Fall Training Courses Announced

The Fall Training Schedule has been uploaded to www.erie.gov/fire with eight (8) new courses added.These course represent the balance of the remaining state fire instructor hours allocated to Erie County unt...il March 31, 2010. We have course requests on file that represent more than 1,500 state fire instructor hours that will go unfulfilled unless we receive more training hours from NYS OFPC. If you do not feel that this situation satisfies the training needs of your fire department and our fire service at large, we encourage you to contact your state representatives.

To maximize the efficiency of all remaining instructor hours, all courses are at risk of not running as scheduled unless the maximum number of allowable students are registered for the respective course.

Please note the following about these courses:

1R09002 Scene Support Operations: STARTS NEXT MONDAY 9/21 at the Training & Operations Center. This course will not run as scheduled unless full with at least 20 students. This course will run on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays for 3 weeks.

1S09008 Firefighter 1: Will run double-sessions on Saturdays at the Training & Operations Center. As this may be the last Firefighter 1 course we run until next spring and in fairness to all fire departments, registration will be limited to 2-3 students per fire department depending on the number of applications received. Chief officers are encouraged to prioritize the applications they submit by placing a circled number in the lower right hand corner of the application, with 1 being the highest priority.Please download, print and share the attached Firefighter 1 Student Packet with all interested recruits and chief officers.

1T09002 Firefighter 2: As this may be the last Firefighter 2 course we run until next spring and in fairness to all fire departments, registration will be limited to 2-3 students per fire department depending on the number of applications received. Chief officers are encouraged to prioritize the applications they submit by placing a circled number in the lower right hand corner of the application, with 1 being the highest priority.

1Y09002 Apparatus Operator-EVOC: Runs Tuesdays, Thursdays and Some Saturdays at Alden- 10/6, 8, 13, 15, SAT-10/17 2X (double-session)

7809003 Apparatus Operator-Pump: Is expected to run Tuesdays, Thursdays and Some Saturdays at Alden following the EVOC course#1Y09002. Exact dates to be determined. Registrations will be accepted now. Preference will be given to those registering for the EVOC course at the same time.

1Y09003 Apparatus Operator-EVOC: Runs Tuesdays, Thursdays and Some Saturdays at Orchard Park - 10/6, 8, 13, SAT-10/17 3X (triple-session)

7809004 Apparatus Operator-Pump: Runs Tuesdays, Thursdays and Some Saturdays at Orchard Park following the EVOC course#1Y09003 - 10/20, 22, SAT-24 (2X), 27, 29, SAT-31 (2X). Registrations will be accepted now. Preference will be given to those registering for the EVOC course at the same time.

7809002 Apparatus Operator-Pump: Runs Tuesdays and Thursdays at Mortons Corners. Please not the following details about the EVOC and Pump courses:

NYS OFPC Course Descriptions & Details: Apparatus Operator Courses

1Y - Apparatus Operator - Emergency Vehicle Operation (01-05-0004)Provides vehicle operators with a better understanding of the seriousness of emergency vehicle operation. Based on objectives from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 1002 Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator, Chapter 2, this course stimulates the thought processes to make students aware of the potential for tragedy and financial loss and of the legal and moral responsibilities encountered when operating an emergency vehicle.

Note: Apparatus Operator Emergency Vehicle Operations equivalents are EVOC Courses offeredby VFIS Insurance, ESIP Insurance, or Utica National Insurance. Train the Trainers are not accepted as equivalent.
Designed For: Fire service personnel
Course Length: 18 hours
Prerequisite: Scene Support Operations and a valid driver's license

78 - Apparatus Operator – Pump (01-05-0005) Offers knowledge and skills essential to pump operation. Based on objectives from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator, Chapter 3, this course includes responsibilities of pump operators, hydraulics and friction loss, pump controls and accessories, fire streams, pumper practices, pumping from draft and pump evolutions, and using the fire pump at the fire hydrant. Demonstrations and practice sessions are included.
Designed For: Fire service personnel
Course Length: 24 hours
Prerequisites: Apparatus Operator - Emergency Vehicle Operation (01-05-0004) and Scene Support Operations or equivalent
NYS Certification Level: Firefighter Recruit I, Fire Instructor I
National Certification Level: Fire Service Instructor I
College Credit: Yes

38 - Water Supply Operations (01-05-0047) Offers firefighters with information and skills in determining water supply requirements for firefighting purposes and water delivery methods. Demonstrations and practice sessions are included.
Designed For: Fire service personnel
Course Length: 18 hours
Prerequisites: Apparatus Operator - Pump (01-05-0005) and Scene Support Operations or equivalent

79 - Apparatus Operator - Aerial Device (01-05-0003) Designed to follow the NFPA 1002 Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications, provides the student with knowledge necessary to operate, inspect and maintain aerial devices. Course content includes emergency vehicle operations review, classification and typing, vehicle inspection, operation of various types of aerial devices including platforms and ladders, proper location of placement and setup at an incident including driving, spotting and stabilizing. Fire departments must possess an aerial device to offer this program enabling students to fully operate this device.
Designed For: Fire service personnel
Course Length: 24 hours
Prerequisites: Truck Company Operations (01-05-0046) or Ladder Company Operations (01-05-0029) andApparatus Operator - Emergency Vehicle Operation (01-05-0004) or equivalent

Source: http://www.dos.state.ny.us/fire/residential.html - As of: 09/14/09

Check http://www.dos.state.ny.us/fire/residential.html for all other pre-requisites and other information regarding this training.

URGENT: Fire Service Coordination for Buffalo Firefighter Funerals

All firefighters and emergency personnel are asked to honor the wishes of the families of the fallen firefighters and the Buffalo Fire Department. Thanks in advance for your cooperation and concern for all those affected by this tragedy.

• NO APPARATUS at the funerals on Friday - August 28. There is very limited parking and all personnel are asked to carpool and reduce the number of vehicles as much as possible.
• All personnel are asked to assemble outside St. Joseph's Old Cathedral at least one hour prior to each funeral.
• Class A uniform or other appropriate attire is requested.

Funeral for Lt. Charles McCarthy ONLY - Friday-August 28, 2009
Fire Departments wishing to pay their respects to Lt. McCarthy may assemble with their apparatus at the James Cannan Funeral Home http://www.cannanfh.com/ by 7:45am on Friday morning.

• This is an opportunity for a stationary display of equipment and staff to pay last respects and both will be positioned along Union Road outside the funeral home.
• PLEASE NOTE: Understand that your apparatus and personnel will not be included in the procession from the funeral home to the church.
• Directions to the funeral home can be found at: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=3155+Orchard%20Park%20Road+Orchard%20Park,+NY+14127
• All apparatus is asked to approach the funeral home from the south (Milestrip Road/Southwestern Blvd./Five Corners) as equipment will be directed to park facing north on Union Road.
• One representative from each participating agency is asked to contact Tiger Schmittendorf (FC-3) or Dan Neaverth (ES-14) on the Erie County F-2 (46.38) frequency or by cell phone as they approach the area of the funeral home.
• Participating agencies are asked to RSVP with number of personnel and apparatus to:
  Erie County Fire Safety
  716.681.7111
  -OR-
  Tiger Schmittendorf
  Deputy Fire Coordinator
  schmitte@erie.gov
  716.432.3915
  -OR-
  Dan Neaverth
  Deputy Commissioner-EMS
  daniel.neaverth@erie.gov
  716.983.6080
  
• +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
  To: All
  
  From: Michael Lombardo, Commissioner of Fire
  
  Subject: Memorial Services for Lt. McCarthy & FF Jonathan Croom
  
  Date: August 25, 2009
  
  Services for Lieutenant Charles McCarthy and Firefighter Jonathan Croom are as follows:
  
  
  Lt Charles McCarthy:
  
  Viewing: Thursday, August 27th, 2:00pm – 8:00pm
  James Cannan Funeral Home
  3155 Orchard Park Road
  Orchard Park, NY 14127
  
  Funeral: Friday, August 28th, @ 9:30 am
  St Josephs Old Cathedral
  50 Franklin Street
  Buffalo, NY 14202
  
  
  FF Jonathan Croom:
  
  Viewing: Thursday, August 27th, 2:00pm -8:00 pm
  Amigone Funeral Home
  1132 Delaware Avenue
  Buffalo, NY 14209
  
  Funeral: Friday, August 28th, @ 1:00 pm
  St Josephs Old Cathedral
  50 Franklin Street
  Buffalo, NY 14202
  
  A breakfast collation following each funeral will be held at HSBC Arena.
  
  All fire service members are requested to form one hour prior to the start of each funeral, in dress uniform. Parking will be available at HSBC Arena.

Firefighter 1 Boot Camp - July 6-17, 2009 - IS FULL

Registration for the Firefighter 1 Boot Camp course from July 6-17, 2009 (8am-4pm) at the Training & Operations Center is FULL and closed. We received more than 50 applications but unfortunately cannot accommodate everyone. Thank you to everyone who responded and demonstrated an interest in participating.

• A reminder to those students who are indicated as confirmed on the roster for Course#1S09004 which can be viewed at: http://www.erie.gov/depts/community/emergency_fsd_resources.asp#urgent_alerts
  Confirmed students must attend the mandatory orientation along with a chief or training officer on Monday-June 15th at 7pm at the Training & Operations Center.
• A $50 student fee is required, due at the mandatory orientation. This covers beverages, fruit, Boot Camp and Graduation T-shirts and other supplies. This may be paid by check or cash. Please make checks payable to James McCullough.
• Please share and review the attached Student Packet with your chief and address all points outlined as appropriate.

New Web Page Focuses on Challenges of the Volunteer Fire Service

New USFA Web Page Focuses on Challenges of the Rural and Volunteer Fire Service

There are fundamental differences in the nature of the rural fire problem compared to the U.S. fire problem as a whole. Additionally, the volunteer rural fire service has unique challenges not faced by their counterparts, such as large minimally populated areas to provide protection and service, often no guarantee of staffing levels, water supply challenges, lack of population to provide a revenue or tax base to support service, etc.

What are the major the challenges you as a rural volunteer fire department are facing?

• Funding?
• Retention of your current volunteer firefighters and support staff?
• Recruitment of new members for both active firefighting and support?
• Training?
• Fire prevention and public education?

And have you developed any innovative ways on how you have overcome them?

To support you, USFA has developed a dedicated web page on Rural and Volunteer Fire Department Resources: www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/subjects/rural/index.shtm

This page focuses on the numerous resources developed to deal with the unique fire challenges faced by fire departments operating in rural communities. It provides statistics and fire reports dealing with rural fires; public fire education and prevention programs targeted at the rural fire problem and community; critical firefighter health and safety issues impacting rural and volunteer firefighters; and National Fire Academy training opportunities focusing on the rural and volunteer fire service that include a wildland firefighting skills crosswalk for structural firefighters.

In addition, USFA is currently working with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) on a revision to the Health and Wellness Guide for the Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services that will provide the most up to date information in this area. Look for this document in the near future.

Other resources include the NVFC, http://www.nvfc.org/, and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Volunteer & Combination Officers Section (VCOS), www.vcos.org/.

FEEDBACK: Officers List Update Needed

Please complete the Officers Contact List for 2009 and return it to the Fire Safety Office ASAP. Thanks in advance for your assistance in this important project. The form can be downloaded from www.erie.gov/fire.