TRAINING
Update from Kevin Fedrizzi, Training Division Chief
The year 2018 provided some tremendous opportunities in the Fire Training Division. Under the direction of the Fire Chiefs, we continue to foster cooperation between the valley’s fire training divisions. Through this process we have facilitated several multi-company training events using shared training venues, equipment and resources. Training shoulder-to-shoulder with neighboring departments provides the opportunity for crews to develop working relationships that carry over to the emergency scene.
In addition to the multi-company training, the department also continues to meet the fire company training hour requirements required by ISO and the NFPA. Emergency Medical Services Training is also completed by every member of the department. MFD members achieved more than 22,000 hours of combined training in 2018.
Joint Training
Here are some of the training events accomplished in 2018:
COMPANY OFFICER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The Company Officer Development Program was an intensive 4 month program designed to educate eligible employees aspiring to the rank Fire Captain. This course was modeled after the successful Fire Service National Model. Students were exposed to a wide variety of fire service leadership philosophies and challenges of the modern fire service. They completed course work in Fire Service Instructor, Fire Officer and Incident Safety Officer curriculum. Coursework also included the Blue Card Command Program, and students achieved IC Certification. At the completion of this course work the students demonstrated the ability to perform the needed skill-sets to fill the role of Company Officer and became eligible to participate in the promotional exam process.
COMBINED DRIVER/OPERATOR COURSE
This year also saw a new level of commitment from local departments to work and train together. The Treasure Valley Combined Driver/Operator program was a joint effort of Meridian, Nampa and Caldwell fire departments to share resources and produce a superior program. This program was a hybrid program combining online learning with efficient use of drill ground training opportunities. Each department contributed instructors, equipment and resources to reduce the financial impact of running individual programs. The students enjoyed the new opportunities in the hybrid learning environment as well as the chance to interact with personnel from neighboring departments.
TRAINING DIVISION STAFFING
This year brought a changing of the guard in the Training Division. We would like to express our gratitude to Captain Wilson, Captain Forbey, Captain Hendrick and Captain Johnston for their time spent as Training Captains. The division welcomes Captain Smith and continues with Captain Hendrick as the 2019 Training Captains. We look forward to a fantastic year ahead!
LIVE FIRE TRAINING
Live Fire Training is an invaluable venue to learn and teach firefighting skill sets in a real world setting. Thanks to the generosity of the local businesses who donated building materials, our firefighters experience real life fire behavior in a somewhat controlled environment. We were fortunate to have a chance to conduct this training twice this year. Again, fire crews from the surrounding departments participated in the live fire training along with Meridian fire crews. Some of the topics were firefighter survival skills, coordinated initial fire attacks, hose deployment techniques, and incident command.
