Weekend Fire School Set For Lake Superior College
The Emergency Response Training Center (ERTC) at Lake Superior College in Duluth has scheduled a weekend fire school for September 13 and 14. The 12 hour classes include: Auto Extrication-Basic, Introduction to Strategies and Tactics for Water Rescue, Auto Extrication-Advanced, Rope Rescue-Basic, Advanced Wilderness Search Concepts and Basic Fire Pump Operations. The cost of each course is $95.00.All courses will be held at the ERTC. For more information, contact the ERTC at 1-800-232-8573. Check out the website at: www.lsc.edu/ertc.
For more detail information about the classes, download a PDF here.
Reading Smoke & the Art of First Due Course
set for
September 6th.
Northwest Minnesota Fire and Rescue School Scheduled
Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Detroit Lakes is hosting a fire and rescue school to be held March 8 and 9th at the Detroit Lakes Campus. The event includes four, eight and twelve hour courses. For a complete flyer, interested participants can check out: www.cts.minnesota.edu. Information can also be obtained by calling 1-800-426-5603, Extension 6576.
Mesabi Range schedules FFI certification testing
The Grand Rapids Fire Department will host a Firefighter I review and test class on December 15-16. The certification board requires a minimum of 15 to conduct the testing. For further information, call the college at 218-749-7770.
Mesabi Range College schedules Extrication Expo
Mesabi Range Community and Technical College will hold a one day Extrication Expo for Emergency Responders. The course is set for Saturday, October 27 from 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Eveleth Campus. According to college officials, expert instructors from throughout the tri-state area will be conducting the training. The class will include basic and advanced techniques. A number of vehicles will be used including: cars, buses, motor home, semi-truck and a mining truck cab. The cost of the course is $85.00 and includes lunch. Full turn-out gear and eye protection are required. Fore more information, call 218-742-3438.
Mesabi Range College Schedules FF1 Certification Testing
The Fire Training Program at Mesabi Range Community and Technical College has scheduled a series of Firefighter 1 certification review classes and testing sessions. The Grand Rapids Fire Department will host two of sessions, August 11-12 and September 8-9 at the department's fire station. Another certification class and testing session is set for September 29-30 at the Tower Civic Center. The class begins at 8:00 a.m. each day with a cost of $100 per student. Class registration needs to take place at least two weeks in advance. For more information on registering, call Mesabi Range College at 218-742-3438.
Lake Superior College schedules mini fire school
The Emergency Response Training Center (ERTC) at Lake Superior College will be hosting a mini fire school on August 18-19. The classes include: basic pumps, advanced pumps and wilderness search and rescue techniques. Each course will be 12 hours and the cost is $90. All classes with be held at the ERTC in Gary/New Duluth. For additional information, check out the ERTC's website at: www.lsc.edu/ertc. You can also call 1-800-232-8573 and ask for Paula.
Greenwood FD to host OAIRE Class
The Greenwood Fire Department, in cooperation with Occupational Airbag Inflatable Restraint Education (OAIRE), will host an Automotive Inflatable Restraints and Advanced Vehicle Systems class on Wednesday, May 23, at the Greenwood Town Hall. The class will run from 6 to 10 P.M. The cost per student is $30.00 and pre-registration is required by May 11. The Greenwood Town Hall is located at 3000 Highway 77. To register, call Ellen-218-753-2231, Scott-218-753-2375 or Randy-218-753-5457.
2007 Wildfire Academy scheduled
Officials at Mesabi Range Community and Technical College have announced that the 2007 Minnesota Wildfire Academy has been set for June 4 – 8 at Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids. According to Fire Program Manager Steve Flaherty, the deadline for registering is May 25. Further information can be obtained through the college’s website: www.mr.mnscu.educ/customized_training/ff1.htm Copies of the flyer can also be received by calling the college at 218-742-3438. Flaherty said class sizes are limited, so early registration is encouraged.
Major changes at Duluth fire school
Officials at the Emergency Response Training Center in Duluth have announced some major changes for the upcoming spring fire school, set for March 24-25. According to ERTC spokesperson Mark Behning, eight 12 hour classes will be offered. All of the classes will be held at the Emergency Response Training Center. The spring school will offer primarily rescue related classes, although ERTC officials plan to hold a relief association seminar this fall. Other specialized courses may also be forthcoming, depending on input from area fire departments. “We feel it is in the interest of all departments and the other state fire schools to purposely decrease our enrollment,” said Behning in an e-mail to The Northland Fire Wire. “This is far from the end. Think of it as a new beginning.”
Last year, Mesabi Range College in Virginia, for the second time in a row, cancelled its fall fire/EMS school due to low enrollment. There is speculation that the college won’t offer the school again. Mesabi Range College Fire Program Manager Steve Flaherty says “it’s tough to put a lot of time and effort into a school, only to have low enrollments and then cancel out.” Several other fire schools around the state have also been cancelled due to low numbers. “We hate to lose these schools,” said Bob Brown, vice president of the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs’ Association. “The low attendance, I believe, is in direct correlation to a huge reduction in people willing to join the local fire departments. We need to do something to reverse this trend, but I don’t have a clear answer on this problem.”
Live burn training near Gilbert
On September 30, 2006, firefighters from half a dozen Iron Range fire departments took part in a live house burn conducted by Mesabi Range College. The house was located in Sparta Location near Gilbert. The live burn class is the last in a series of 40 classes for students taking part in the basic firefighter training course. The basic firefighter course, which totals 126 hours, is a combination of classroom and hands-on instruction.
Photo-Mesabi
Range College
Virginia fire school cancelled
For the second year in a row, the state fire school scheduled for Virginia has been cancelled. The bottom line, not enough enrollment. According to school officials, about 50 had registered for classes and around 150 were needed to break even. The cancellation is a source of frustration for those who serve on the Mesabi Range College fire training advisory board. “I’m saddened by this,” said board member Dave Andrews of Chisholm. “I’m not sure what we can do. Perhaps it is too late. I had really hoped that the one day class schedule would have made a difference.”
The cancellation of the Virginia school was not unique. A state school set for the Twin Cities was also cancelled and the Duluth fire school saw a significant drop in attendance. “We may be seeing a change in fire training as we know it,” said Fire Wire Editor Peter Makowski. “There was a time when these schools were overflowing with students. Perhaps one day, single subject classes are the trend.” A week before the school, Mesabi Range College held an Incident Safety Officer course and it was filled.
The fire training advisory committee at Mesabi Range College will have to decide if a fire school will be held next year. With two strikes in a row, it’s going to be one tough decision.
Mesabi
Range College names Fire Program Manager
Steve Flaherty has been
named Fire Program Manager at Mesabi Range Community and Technical College in
Virginia. Flaherty is 1st
Assistant Fire Chief of the Grand Rapids Fire Department and has been very
active with the Minnesota Chapter of the International Association of Arson
Investigators. He holds an
Associate of Applied Science degree in Fire Technology and Administration from
Lake Superior College in Duluth. Steve
takes over from Colleen Gerzin, who serves as the college’s Custom Training
Director.
Virginia
fire school canceled
The 2005 Minnesota State Fire/EMS/Rescue School, set for September 10-11 at Mesabi Range College in Virginia, was canceled by school officials. According to a letter sent to area fire departments, the decision was due to a variety of reasons. “This was a very difficult decision to make since there was a great deal of time and energy devoted by many people to make this event a positive experience for students, instructors and vendors,” stated the letter. Fire Program Manager Steve Flaherty said in a later letter that low enrollment was to blame. College officials report that they are evaluating plans for the 2006 Minnesota Fire/EMS/Rescue School.
Itasca County burn trailer gets heavy use in 2004
The mobile burn trailer owned by the Itasca County Fire Chiefs’ Mutual Aid Association got some pretty good use in 2004. According to association officials, about 300 firefighters went through the trailer in the past year. The trailer can be used to simulate several different types of entries. It can also be used to provide training in search and rescue, confined space and ventilation techniques. The cost of the burn trailer was nearly $225,000 with funding coming from the Department of Homeland Security and the Grand Rapids Eagles Club. For information on scheduling, interested fire departments can call 218-244-9200. Picture courtesy of Larry Ryan of the Hibbing Daily Tribune.
Planning is already well underway for the upcoming Wildland Fire Academy, set for January 24-28. “We’ve been doing a heavy amount of work on putting this together,” said Mesabi Range College official Colleen Gerzin. Some of the courses include: Advanced Firefighter/Squad Boss, Initial Attack Incident Commander, Power Saws, Fire Operations in the Interface, Crew Boss, Engine Boss, Ignition Operations, Intraagency Incident Business Management, Basic Air Operations, Intermediate Fire Behavior, Learn to BEHAVE and Basic Incident Commander. The school will be held at the Days Inn in Eveleth. For more information, you can call Colleen Gerzin at 218-749-7716.
There’s some good news to report concerning the fire
school held September 18-19, 2004 at Mesabi Range College in Virginia.
College officials say enrollment for the school was 135.
In 2003, enrollment was 120. “We
are very pleased with the results,” said Colleen Gerzin, customized training
coordinator. “Our registration started out slow, but as the school
neared, we started picking up more students especially during the last week
before the school. We feel this
year’s school went very well.” One
of the highlight classes was Foam: Class A and Class B/CAFS system. “This was a good class,” said one area fire chief.
“We learned a lot and this is really going to help us in the future.
Other classes included Air Bag Safety, Auto Extrication, Basic Pump
Operations, GPS and the Emergency Responder and Managing Company Tactical
Operations. “A lot of planning
and work went into this school,” said Gerzin.
“We’re always striving to meet the needs of the firefighters, first
responders and other emergency response personnel. It’s something that we take
very seriously.”
The Lakewood Volunteer Fire Department, in conjunction with the Emergency Response Training Center at Lake Superior College in Duluth, hosted an LP fire training course. The course, which involved “live fire” hands-on training, was held in Lakewood this past spring. Firefighters from Normanna also participated in the course. About 30 firefighters took part. Photos by Todd Carlson-Training Officer, Normanna Volunteer Fire Department.
2004
Minnesota State Fire-EMS-Rescue School set for Virginia
Nearly
30 classes scheduled
Officials at Mesabi Range College have announced that the upcoming 2004 Minnesota State Fire-EMS-Rescue School in Virginia will be held September 18 and 19. Nearly 30 classes are scheduled. Those classes include: Fire Behavior, Building Construction, Fire Streams, Air Bag Safety, Arson Awareness, Arson Detection During Vehicle and Equipment Fires, GPS and the Emergency Responder, Ventilation Procedures, Fit Testing SCBA and the Respiratory Fit Test Standard, Clandestine Drug Lab Awareness, Basic Auto Extrication, Firefighter I Certification Test, I’s A Company Officer-Now What Do I Do?, Strategies and Tactics, Managing A Fire Department Training Program, School Bus and Motor Coach Emergencies, Foam-Class A and Class B/Compressed Air Foam Systems(CAFS), Laerdal Spinal Care Issues and Management, Firefighter I Certification Review, Incident Safety Officer, NFA Leadership I, Managing Company Tactical Operations, Managing Company Tactical Operations:Decision Making, Advanced Pum Operations, Basic Fire Pump Operations and Firefighting Orientation.
For more information about the 2004 Minnesota State
Fire-EMS-Rescue School in Virginia, you can call Mesabi Range College at
1-800-657-3860 or 218-742-3438.
Virginia Fire School Enrollment Shows 30% Gain
Enrollment
tops 120!
Officials at Mesabi Range Community and Technical College in Virginia say they are extremely pleased with this year’s state fire school. According to school officials, enrollment for the two day event held on September 20-21, 2003 brought in just over 120 students. “I am delighted with the turnout and the participation, “said Scott Christopherson, fire school coordinator. “This was a rebuilding year for us and we were concerned about enrollment. It’s very good news for fire training in this area. It shows that fire departments want high quality training in this region.”
School
officials say the next move is to get the Firefighter I program up and going.
“We’ve had a lot of calls and interest in resuming Firefighter I
training,” added Colleen Gerzin of the college’s customized training
department. “We are looking at
holding classes in Biwabik and at Greenwood Township.
We are also looking at Wildland fire training.”
For more information about fire training at Mesabi Range College, call Colleen Gerzin at (218) 749-7716.
Mesabi
Range College Eliminates Fire Training Position
Mesabi
Range College in Virginia has announced that the full-time Fire Training
Coordinator’s position has been eliminated.
According to college officials, the decision was based on budgetary
reasons. “College
officials have assured us that the quality of fire training in the region will
not be reduced,” said Fire Wire Editor Peter Makowski, who is also a member of
the college’s fire training advisory board.
“I have reservations about what is going to happen with classes and
programs, but this is a tough budget time for all state run operations.
The advisory board will have to take a more direct role in how this
program is operated and our input and direction will be more important than
ever. The
entire state government system is in a budget crisis and many worthwhile
programs are being cut.”
On July 16th, Mesabi Range College Fire Training Coordinator
Therese Elverum was notified that her position was eliminated and she would be
laid off. Elverum
had held the position for several years.
It was the advisory board which advocated the creation of a full-time
fire training position at the college.
By David Schliek,
Board member
The efforts of a handful of Fire and Life Safety educators are beginning to payoff. Efforts that have seen many months of meeting, studying, and becoming very familiar with the NFPA 1035 standard - 2000 edition (Fire and Life Safety Educator). Efforts that are very close to seeing this extremely important level of emergency response being added to the list of nationally accredited certifications offered by the Board. The Board hopes to be offering Fire & Life Safety Educator I & II in the near future. Fire & Life Safety Educator III is in its initial stages.
Jim Hansen, Connie Forster, and Harlan Lundstrom of the Spring Lake Park/Blaine/Mounds View Fire Department and Dan Bernardy of the State Fire Marshal’s office have been the “behind the scenes” people that have worked on this project. Lundstrom was initiator of the concept as a way to help the fire and life safety educators on his staff perform their jobs. Hansen, who sits on the Board, as a representative of the Minnesota State Fire Departments’ Association, brought the proposal to the table a number of months ago. After discussion of the request, the Board eagerly approved concept and awaited the results of the project. Along the way to completion of this project, Forster, a SBM fire and life safety educator, attended a Fire & Life Safety Educators conference in Oklahoma, where she participated in the certification process and became certified at both, Fire & Life Safety Educator I & II. CONGRATULATIONS Connie. She will be probably the first person in the state to be certified in the Minnesota program at that level. Bernardy has also lent his vast level of knowledge and enthusiasm to this project. As these levels of certification become available to fire service personnel statewide, the Board will look to these people to be the initial leaders in the administration of early exams.
Testing will be similar to other levels of certification, with a written examination followed by practical evolutions. Again, these levels will be nationally accredited and based on the NFPA standard 1035. Once the test is offered the bibliography will also be available. The Board’s website (www.mnfirecert.org), which is currently undergoing a facelift, will contain the pertinent information for these examinations. Along with these energetic individuals, the Board looks for these levels of certification to be very appealing to fire service personnel.
Fire and life safety education has long been a part of the business of providing fire response that has been pushed to the back burner. An issue that is seen as not as glamorous as “putting wet stuff on the red stuff”. When your fire department responds to a call for a structure fire, have you not already lost the battle? Should not fire prevention activities be as important as fire suppression? The education of your citizens in becoming fire safety conscious should be as important as training your firefighters to work safely in delivering emergency response. Communicating that message at an annual open house, fire station tour, or talk at a local civic organization meeting will return to your department much more respect than will responses to burning buildings. I have never heard of a fire department that was closed because they had embraced a fire prevention philosophy.
This article has often recognized the
achievements of individuals or groups as they have reached different levels of
professional excellence. Once again, the Board would like to express sincere
thanks and gratitude to these folks as their dedication to this aspect of
providing emergency services will benefit the entire population of the cities
and towns you protect.