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Training
In some states the independant county's teach differant aspects of fire schooling. Here in Rhode Island it is taught by the Rhode Island Fire Academy. These programs are great although not frequent enough or with any variation. Every year same classes. With the state having the most money, I feel it should be the states obligation to provide a minimal training level to firefighters at ZERO cost to the department. (unless they have someone who doesn't show up) With smaller budgets, skyrocketing costs, and money becoming harder for firefighters to raise, its only fair that the state provide a level playing field for firefighters. All too often fire departments are missing the good training for lack of funding. How does your state/county/department handle outside training? Do you pay out of pocket? What are your suggestions to improve the system?
When is someone in a political office going to step up and take the challange of helping firefighters?
When is someone in a political office going to step up and take the challange of helping firefighters?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dan Hoey on
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The funding issue is getting worse at some point they will demand everyone take this class or that and the money will not be there and when a whole department says no and closes the doors then maybe someone will take action
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Permalink Reply by Engineco913 on
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That does seem to be the course of action. Thankfully NIMS is free or else noone would be doing it
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Permalink Reply by turk182 on
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There is a yearly training weekend in may in fayette county, PA. But it has the same classes every year also if we are lucky the county has a second class in october but not always. We are lucky in a way because a lot of stations around the area host classes at their stations or we even go to other counties for training. Wether it is at their fire schools or at stations in those counties. the training the state is mandating should be funded by the state. The prices for some of these classes are outrageous we wanted to have a legal class for some of or fire police and they wanted almost $4,000.00 to do the class and if I remember right that did not include the books for the class. Even if the state set up some kind of yearly training fund to pay for or help us pay for some of this training because right now we pay out of our general account for the class and if a member fails to attend the full class and pass they have to repay the company for their fee for the class. I know that sounds bad but when we had a lot of guys sign up for classes and go the first day and not the second and at that time we could not afford to keep paying for those class they did not finish because we were building a new station and it was from money we raised with no help from the goverment. So I hope that they get some kind of system in place to help with the cost of training.
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I agree with that theory. Just shy of a life threatening injury or a family member/friend passing on, the cost for not attending should be brought souly onto the shoulders of the absentee. If you can't go, don't sign up, plain and simple.
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Permalink Reply by Joe Sheldon on
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In Michigan, each county is allocated $3000 per year for training from the state. For some counties, it never gets spent, for others it's not even a down payment on training. Each county is required to have a training committee, with a training coordinator who decides how the money is spent. Multiple counties can work together and pool their money. However it's handled, every firefighter in Michigan must have Firefighter I within two years of hire. Full time firefighters must have Firefighter II, though I don't know how much time they are allowed for it.
Our county puts on a Firefighter I/II combination class every two years, and hosts other classes on the off years. We also have a firefighter's association that raises money to put on other classes. No individuals or individual departments are charged for these classes. All in all, we spend about $11,000 per year on firefighter training, which isn't bad for a county that has 150 volunteers and no full time.
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Permalink Reply by Terry Lambert on
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I know that in Prince William couny VA, there is a fire tax levy in place that all county residents pay. That money is divided between all the departments in the county, based on their fist dues. Buisness also pay this tax, so if you have commerical property in your first due, you get even more. As for training, our academy put's on 2 - 3 FF1 & 2 classes a year, and there is always some type of training class on the weekend there as well.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin King on
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Training is a issue that needs to be brought to the front of the schedule,besides the funding problems and the schedules there seems to be a nationwide problem with people that have other agendas.Training should always be the number one priority. (with the exeption of answering calls)But for some reason or another it always gets set on a back burner so to speak.It should not matter if their is one or a hundred that want or need training it should be made available,at the very least the study guides should be in place so individuals can study and prepare for the courses.
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Another thing I have to say on the subject of training is if you think you dont need to train or you are smarter that those that do train,STAY HOME you are a danger to yourself and everyone around you.The day you stop learning is likely gonna be the day they cover you with a dirt blanket.
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Amen to that!!! If it is something you truely want to do, you can find a way to make the time to take the classes.
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Classes, did someone say classes. WHERE?????? I am there.
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Sounds like priority alignment.If training and safety are not priority concerns then your likely in the wrong field. I understand that the kids want you to come to the game,but do they understand if your not properly trained you may be a picture on the wall that makes people sick inside because you died.I am likely going to make some mad with this post but it is a dangerous thing that we do and training is part of it.It really doesn't matter if you've had the class or done the drills many times practice and repetition hones the skills,makes you better and faster at responses.The graveyards are full of it wont happen to me's.If you don't have time to train ask yourself do I have time for a funeral.Funding is tight for everyone in the job,with todays technology there are still ways to get in some type of training,ie.online courses,simulators,forums,reading books/articles or find outside agencies that are training and sit in on theirs.FEMA and NFA both have numerous courses that can be taken online.Most all PPE comes with a VHS or DVD with instructions on use,care and storage of the equipment. In short there is always something that can be done,its true that its not all certifyable training but it is no less training. EVERYDAY IS TRAINING DAY: EVERYONE GOES HOME.
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I i have a good one for you we are in the process of getting our engine we just bought on the road and are old engine is still in service that being said. We had some new members join and i was trying to have a training class with five firefighters and one junior well i showed the junior how to properly put her gear on and seal the envelope and was just getting started with scba's and the chief walks in makes me stop the class and tank the new truck to get air in the tires. the truck is not in service yet and he make me quit teaching to do it can anyone tell me where the logic is in that air pressure in tires of a truck not being used yet is more inportant than training?
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