MCFR employs some of the best fire and EMS instructors and training captains in the state who teach dozens of classes to not only career firefighters but also volunteer firefighters. Firefighters routinely take additional classes in fire suppression, ventilation, search and rescue operations, emergency vehicle operations, pumping, hydraulics, hose operations, fire prevention, blueprint reading, fire codes and standards, emergency medical services and many other training classes.

Equipping the Leaders of Tomorrow

The Support Services Division under the direction of Division Chief Bart Walker developed an extensive six to seven week orientation process to ensure that new firefighters are prepared for what they may experience in the field. At the end of this orientation, the firefighters take an oath of appointment, promising to dedicate their best efforts to saving lives and protecting property.

America faces an obesity epidemic. Unlike ever before, people, even the very young, are suffering from heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and high cholesterol. Even firefighters known for their brute strength and physicality are susceptible to these trends. In fact, research shows that most firefighters die on and off duty because of health conditions and not specific dangers associated with their profession. To combat firefighter injury, sickness and even death as well as enhance longevity of careers and quality of emergency services, MCFR received $116,345 from a "Fire Act" grant to develop and implement a firefighter fitness program that incorporates specific exercise regimes and eating plans for firefighters. This effort has significantly improved firefighter flexibility, strength, endurance and cardiovascular health.
 

In January, 2007, MCFR received another federal grant for $239,680 from the United States Department of Homeland Security "Assistance to Firefighters" grant program to purchase a mobile live-fire training simulator. MCFR's matching share of the grant was $59,920.

The training simulator is a 53-foot propane-gas-powered steel trailer equipped with thermal insulation, moveable walls and an internal stairwell. It allows firefighters to practice fire suppression tactics such as ventilation and search and rescue as well as identify dangerous "flash over" conditions (when a room's temperature gets so hot that everything in it ignites).

The simulator also enables firefighters to test new equipment such as bunker gear, thermal imaging cameras and many other firefighting essentials in a safer, more controlled and environmentally friendly atmosphere.

Since 2001, MCFR has received more than $2.5 million in state and federal grant funding.

If you would like more information about training, please contact us.