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Comment by Tim McConnell on November 1, 2011 at 3:56pm

If any organization has gear that can be used by other fire departments around the country it can be posted on the www.freefiregear.org website at no cost.

Comment by Michael Harkey on September 22, 2011 at 10:20pm

Hey Jeff, Is this requirement something new for 2011? I have received 3 AFG awards and I don't recall that being a requirement. What I have done though, was to request additional funding for training that went along with the equipment we were purchasing. Like in 2008 we were awarded a vehicle grant along with that, I requested funds for Drivers Training. 2010 we purchased a new compressor, fill station and PPE, I requested funds for additional classes on PPE, SCBA emergencies, and responding to the mayday. If FFI/II is required by all members that is new to me.

Comment by Jeff Taylor on August 23, 2011 at 4:25pm

I am only talking about the AFG. There are classes for basic pump, rural water supply, etc. Why should having a member that is not FFI/II cetified be held against the dept. as long as they are qualified to operate safely in other areas. My statement about paid vs. volunteer was just a statement about the ease of getting the training. If it is your job to get the training you lose no personal or family or work time. If you are a volunteer you lose quite a bit of personal, family, and possibly work time. I am not trying to start a war between paid and volunteer, just stating the ease of GETTING the training.

Comment by Patti Walz on August 23, 2011 at 1:57pm

Jeff I can certainly understand your plight. When I did my training I was working 60-80 hours per week and the training officer worked with me. These standards were set in place to protexct no only the individual that you are helping to to protect the department. If your guys do not want to make the committment to put in the hours then maybe they should rethink their role on the fire department. It is a committment and it is hard work. Where I am at, we don't care if you are paid or not, are you qualified to do the task assigned to you. If you start taking the attitude of well the paid staff are paid to know this stuff then hang it up go home and don't respond. This kind of attitude is what breeds the all mighty war of paid vs volunteer. We are there to do a job and work together, and we are all qualified to do that job. Paid VS Volunteer argument is simply a lazy man answer.

Comment by Michael Brittain on August 23, 2011 at 12:47pm

I agree with Patti. I've been a volunteer three years now and constantly want more training... Which keeps me humbled to what I don't know while being calculated on scene. Training, Training, Training. Just my thoughts.

Comment by Jeff Taylor on August 23, 2011 at 11:06am

I am not saying that training is not important. What I am saying is that putting so much emphasis on it for volunteer organizations by the AFG is unfair when the paid departments get paid to do the training our volunteers have to take the 200+ hours for FFI / II training out of their personal lives,work around their jobs to get the training. I work 12 hour rotating shifts and I had to take vacation in order to get my FFI/II training. So I know the value of the training, but was that fair to my family, or work. I don't think so, but I did it BECUASE of my commitment. I am not questioning the value of training just the value the AFG puts on it. Paid vs. Volunteer, paid gets a BIG advantage.

Comment by Patti Walz on August 23, 2011 at 10:27am

I so disagree with you. Taking the time to get your FF1 certification ensures that you know what you are doing and the reasons behind what you are doing. Any monkey can show up and pump a truck, but does that monkey know the ratios to flow water? Do you really want a person to show up at an accident without the proper training, kill someone and end up with a lawsuit because you didn't want to take the time to educate yourself? If you are committed to being a volunteer for the fire department then you should be committed to getting the education and training.

Comment by Jeff Taylor on August 23, 2011 at 10:05am

Why does FEMA make it so difficult for volunteer agencies to receive a grant? The requirements, as I see them, for all members to be FFI and FFII certified is a stretch for a volunteer organization. That's nearly 200 hours of their personal time that they have to commit to be a "volunteer". What about the members that just want to pump the engine, or work MVAs, or don't want to go in to a burning building? Aren't they just as valuable on an emergency scene? Not according to FEMA! What are your thoughts?

Comment by Tim McConnell on February 15, 2011 at 1:51pm

You need to be a member of Small Town Firefighter's to add comments!
Comment by Elizabeth Christian 6 minutes ago
Thank you for sharing the site, I've passed it on up the line. :)
Comment by Tim McConnell 23 minutes ago
NEW

FREE National Clearinghouse for Firefighting Equipment

Chiefs or equipment officers who need gear, apparatus, or
anything else used in firehouse operations can visit the site,

Comment by Nancy Lankford McCain on February 8, 2011 at 10:19am

Like the photos of chiefs, good choice.

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