Volunteer Firefighters Pursue Professional Development Trainings

Fifty-five (55) volunteer firefighters from the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company pursue additional trainings to enhance their knowledge, skills, and abilities with respect to apparatus pump operations, forcible entry tactical skills, and water supply drafting operations. 

Over the past three evenings (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday), many of these volunteer firefighters have pursued site based lectures and classroom curriculum as well as practical experience to remain knowledgeable while performing their chosen civic responsibilities.

This curriculum was coordinated and taught by certified instructors of the Delaware State Fire School (DSFS) within or nearby the immediate fire district. For example, six (6) volunteer firefighters have registered to pursue a fire school certified Pump Operator Course which consists of a 24 hour course designed to prepare a firefighter to become a pump operator in their respective fire departments.  These classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday evening for three weeks at the Millsboro Volunteer Fire Company and one full day on a Saturday in November.

Additionally, forty-three (43) other volunteer firefighters registered to participate in a special in-service forcible entry class which is an essential fireground function.  The curriculum addressed as firefighters may be expected to breach through doors, windows, walls, and floors as well as the security devices used to deny unauthorized admittance. This course was intended to highlight and educate the firefighter with knowledge, techniques, and experience to enter into a building in a fast and efficient manner, minimizing damage and allowing for safe and secure entry and exit for other firefighters.  This class was held at the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company.

Finally, six (6) other firefighters pursued drafting operations to gain experience and fine tune procedures to provide water supply from a static source to support required minimum flow of water resources at the scene of a fire.  It is understood that water supply is a tactical operation for suppression and not a support operation.  In non-hydrant areas, drafting operations may be needed to help deliver that water supply. Drafting operations may be used at the fireground, in conjunction with a relay operation, or during tanker shuttle operations, etc.  This training was coordinated at Half Shell Pond in the Pot Nets Bayside development.  

Overall, these training events have been extremely beneficial to the volunteer firefighters that have participated. 

The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company wishes to acknowledge the participation of all volunteers as well as thanking the Delaware State Fire School for having such opportunities available.

Illustrated herewith are some photographs of these activities.