New Volunteer Training Courses

[Brando]

I was hired on to the local volunteer dept bout 4 months ago. Im just loving it, by the by.
The Eastern Ontario Training Schedule was just released, and I am wondering your guys opinion on what courses a new volunteer fire fighter could take that would make sense to me. There is so many that I would love to take right away of course, but all may not be pratical. Just so you know I was hired on as an apparatus operator, so the obvious to me would be the Pump Op course. Where to start....

[WFD999]

Hi Brando I'm out here in AB and don't know Ont way of doing things. That said I am a trianing officer, so. I would suggest you start with basic's. Meaning PPE including BA always protect yourself first, Radio com's, Hose rolls, lays and knots. Basic building construction, ladders, handleing hand lines with intierior attack and ventilation ops. Then water sytems and pumps w\operations. Your pump and you delivering water will have a direct effect on all of the above operations. Having a good feel for the other operations on the fire ground will make you a better pump operator. Some of these can be done with your in house trianing. Not knowing your depts structure I can only suggest. Courses with a NFPA stamp are a good way to go especailly when applied to what your dept does in house. In my dept we dont let anyone operate a pump on the fire ground without about five years in and quite a long list of courses behind them. Water delivery and the pumping in one of the corner stones of effective fire fighting. I know that sounds like along way togo to get to the panel but knowing what the fire fighter or appliance on the end of line is doing and why is the best way to get there.

Best of luck.

Remember put the wet stuff on the red stuff and make the white stuff

Cheers

[Brando]

Thanks for the suggestions. Its just all so overwhelming at the start, eh. I just want to do everything, but obviously thats not practical. Its hard to know what extra courses I should take, and which ones would benefit me the most. All the internal training has been great. And I totally agree that knowing all the operations on the fireground will make me a better pump operator.

[WFD999]

Hi Brando If your a little lost on where togo first have a good chat with trianing officer or your platoon captian they should be able to set you on the right path. Maybe your SOP's or GOG's tell you the requirements for each level er job. Dont be overwhelmed alot of what we do is common sense, one step at a time. It sounds like they got you as lifer after 4 months on the job. Which is cool. Enjoy the ride its great.:)

[wilderness]

Been a volunteer for a few years now, my first question is where you are going to apply.... If its the OFC you should first look at Module A regardless of it being the basics you still learn alot, then work thru the other modules, Another course you could look at would be FLASHOVER, Rural Water Supply or even Hydrocarbons,
I have taken MODULE A / B and Flashover and A few others... i can,t stress enough about MODULE A regardless of it being the basic you can,t but help learn from the likes of Mickey and the crew...........

[wilderness]

Where you from Brando..............

[Quincy]

Brando, have a look at the Ontario Fire Marshall's Office Web Site, in regards to the college. The new 2005-06 calendar has been posted in the last 2 weeks.

Take care.

[cyber649]

I would focus on the 10-01 series. A few good courses to have are the S200-600 to start off with.

More info can be found at fire-etc.ca

[Brando]

Originally posted by wilderness
Where you from Brando..............


Im from they big city of Perth...

[Rescue78]

Perth!!!!

Home of the garlic festival :)


Module A Firefighter is the course you need. I teach the course for the Ontario Fire College. It is now tought in Kingston as well. We ran two courses this year and plan on running three next year(not including the ones at Gravenhurst).

It is a five day course (over two week-ends). It gets you signed off on protective clothing, SCBA, Incident Management System, Fire Streams, Fire Suppression Technique. You will also do some search and rescue. You work in the smoke tower and do live fire training.

We've had people on the course from a few weeks experience to Chief.

Talk to your Chief. He should be aware of this course in Kingston.