In this class, first responders learn about ammonia characteristics, environmental concerns, associated health effects, EMS options, as well as public safety. Instructors also discuss responder safety and protection, including personal protection equipment (PPE) concerns and isolation or protect-in-place options. There is also a discussion on evacuation versus shelter in-place tactics. The class also covers Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) used with alarm scenarios, risk-benefit analysis and troubleshooting real life incidents with illustrations of “first-ins” and incident command responsibilities.
Essentials I is the first installment in the Essentials Program. The Essentials Program is designed to introduce new and novice firefighters to essential skills in the fire service. Each level of the Essential Program, levels I, II, and III will introduce firefighters to skills that will build upon one another as participants progress through the program.
The Essentials Program is designed to meet the requirements of NFPA 1403 the Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions and parallels the Illinois Fire Service Institute’s Minimum Fire Fighter Training Guide. The scope of the Essential Program is to prepare personnel for supporting the station and exterior firefighting operations.
This Essentials I Course will immerse the firefighter in skills related to Orientation and Firefighter Safety, Personal Protective Equipment and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, Fire Department Apparatus, Hose and Fire Streams, Firefighting Tools and Equipment, Ground Ladders, Building Construction, and Fire Dynamics.
NOTE: Protective Clothing Required -- Participants must furnish approved helmet, turn out gear, eye protection, gloves, SCBA and boots for this class. This course is delivered at local fire departments
This class expands on the basic fire behavior materials learned during initial firefighting training. It focuses on the importance of deducing critical fire characteristics from the attributes of visible smoke. Students will learn how understanding smoke volume, velocity, density, and color can help predict hostile fire events, as well as tactics and strategies that are useful to prevent these events from occurring.
This class focuses on how to develop, implement, and evaluate fire ground communications. During this session new and seasoned firefighters will have the opportunity to practice tactical and strategic size up procedures assuring the proper communication benchmarks are used.
Pre-Fire Planning is a classroom based, 2-4 hour block of instruction designed to prepare an individual to conduct basic pre-fire plans at the company level. The class is tailored for basic operations fire service personnel to become familiar with properties and potential hazards within their communities. Topics in the course include: Benefits of Pre-Planning, Process of Pre-Planning, Process Components, Information Needed to Conduct the Pre-Plan, Equipment Needed to Conduct the Pre-Plan, Applying the process of Pre-Incident Planning to a Facility.