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Justin Millett and Trevor Jones, firefighters with the Whitehall Volunteer Fire Company Inc. recently completed New York State’s Firefighter I course hosted by the Salem Volunteer Fire Company. They
were joined by firefighters from Salem, Easton, Fort Ann, West Fort Ann, Hebron, Middle Falls, Kingsbury, Cossayuna and Cambridge. The “Firefighter I” course is designed to prepare the student for work as a “combat ready” interior structural firefighter. The course combines the following courses into one complete course. Essentials of Firefighting, Initial Fire Attack, Fire Behavior, Haz-Mat Operations,
Weapons of Mass Destruction Awareness, and Confined Space Safety and Awareness. The course also includes components of Firefighter Survival and Mask Confidence.
The “Firefighter Survival” course is based on Chief John Salka’s “Get Out Alive” program, this program is designed for self-rescue and rescue of trapped firefighters. The course content enables firefighters to recognize the types of events encountered on the fireground that contribute to firefighter disorientation and/or entrapment; to have knowledge of what is necessary to ensure their safety and that of their partners or crew members; and to perform self-rescue techniques when disoriented, separated, or needing to exit a structure in an emergency. This course requires students to perform a number of practical evolutions with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The Firefighter I course began in April of this year and was completed with a formal graduation ceremony on July 14, 2011. Millett and Jones were present certificates by Fire Chief Bryan Brooks in the presence of their families, friends and fellow class members.
The Whitehall Volunteer Fire Company Inc. has raised its level of NY State Level 1 Certified firefighters 120% since 2008. A Firefighter II course will advance firefighters to the next level of training and
is scheduled to begin at the Whitehall Volunteer Fire station in August and be completed in October. For more information visit www.WhitehallFire.org, or stop by the firehouse any Tuesday night.
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