Training

Notable Training

In 2012 we logged nearly 5000 hours of training by all of our members here at LFD. Some of the more notable trainings included:
  • Hundreds of hours of FEMA grant-funded technical rescue training including rope rescue, rescue skills, rescue systems II, confined space rescue, trench rescue, swift water rescue, swift water boat operator and fireground survival classes
  • Self-rescue and bail-out systems
  • Training on hoarding homes
  • Training and refresher on Methamphetamine labs
  • High-hazard alarms and special building operations
  • Hands-on classes in venting, wall-breaching, roof work, ladder work, etc. in 3 acquired structures
  • Ten members attended hundreds of hours of classroom sessions to become Advanced EMTs
  • High rise operations classroom and practical drill

Continued Training

Additionally, the Chief Officers continue to attend meetings and trainings in community emergency preparedness, public health emergencies, MACE preparedness, NIMS and other emergency management offerings to help keep us prepared for disasters and other large-scale events. On a state level, we attend State Health Officer trainings, Electrical Safety and Licensing training, New Hampshire Mobilization Task Force training, IMAT response training and New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs meetings and training.

National Level

Nationally, I was invited to attend a National Symposium on the "Changing Severity of Home Fires" along with the New Hampshire State Fire Marshall. We are putting together a training program to teach across the state to bring this information from NIST, NFPA, and UL to help keep firefighters safer in today's new fire environment. Also, I attended the 2012 Fire Rescue International Conference in Denver Colorado and received training on fire service diversity, leadership, fire service law and social media and ethical practices in today's fire service.

Despite the fact that our emergency call volume increased by more than 10% in 2012, we continue to make training a priority and find the time to study, practice and drill.