Area VFDs plan three training sessions during October
This photo was taken during a 2019 vehicle-fire training session for area volunteer fire departments in Gainesville. Three training sessions for area VFDs are planned for October.
Area volunteer firefighters will have three local training opportunities during the month of October. The courses are provided through the University of Missouri Extension Division Fire and Rescue Training Institute and will be held at the Gainesville Masonic Lodge at 98 Second St. behind Town & Country Supermarket.
Gainesville VFD chief Ed Doiron said that full personal protective equipment (PPE) including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is required for participants. Doiron says that clean-shaven faces are also required for all SCBA-involved evolutions.
Any department that does not have enough SCBAs for those wishing to attend should contact Doiron at gainesvillefd@gmail.com.
“Most departments in the county have Scott-brand SCBA, and Gainesville, Pontiac, Theodosia and West Plains have limited spares for use in the class. We can also fill bottles as needed,” Doiron told the Times. “All departments are invited to attend, and we would love to see as many as we can.”
The classroom portion of the classes will be held at the Masonic Lodge on Second Street in Gainesville. Other portions of the class will be held where the old Gainesville Fire Department was located, at 32 County Road 503 (just south of Highways 160 and 5 north).
Vehicle firefighting, Oct. 10
A vehicle firefighting class will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. The lead instructor is Wayne F. Cormier. The course description says:
“One of the least recognized aspects of fire threat is the vehicle fire. Due to recent changes in vehicle design and construction, firefighters are forced to change the way vehicle fires are fought. This course will present safe and efficient strategies and tactics to extinguish vehicle fires based upon vehicle design, operating fuel, construction, materials, location and ignition and coolant systems. Students will participate in live fire evolutions using a vehicle firefighting simulator.”
For more information, contact Caney Mountain VFD chief Robert Peat at robertpeat1761@gmail.com or 417-712-1761.
Structural firefighting technique, Oct. 16-17
A structural firefighting technique class will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. The lead instructor is Kurt E. Wilbanks. The course description says:
“This course will explain, demonstrate and provide hands-on skills training in fire ground operations necessary in interior structural fires attack. Topics include ICS, size-up, search and rescue, ventilation, forcible entry and hose stream management. This course will be taught in a lecture/practical format, including ‘live’ fire training evolutions.”
Lunch will be provided on Saturday.
For more information, contact Doiron at gainesvillefd@gmail.com or 417-679-4858.
Fire department medical first responder: 8 days between Oct. 24 – Nov. 14
A fire department medical first responder course will be offered on eight days from Oct. 24 through Nov. 14. The course is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25; 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31; 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, and 8 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7; and 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14.
Participants should plan to be at all eight sessions. The lead instructor is John O. Russo. The course description says:
“Fire Department Medical First Responder is a 32-hour program based on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s First Responder: National Standard Curriculum. Topics include airway care and suctioning, patient assessment, bleeding control, stabilization of spinal and extremities injury, trauma emergencies, use of a limited medical care equipment and assisting other EMS providers. Successful completion of this course will require a 70 percent score or greater on a written exam and practical skill checklist. This course can also be used to meet the emergency training requirements for Firefighter I certification from the Missouri Division of Fire Safety. (The Missouri POST program has approved this course for approved provider training credit. POST control number 325141203, for continuing education int he area of 24 hours technical - 2 hours legal = 6 hours skill).
For additional information, contact Doiron at gainesvillefd@gmail.com or 417-679-4858.