VERMONT TRAINING

Firefighter I Challenge Exam Individuals who have not completed an approved Vermont Fire Academy sanctioned Firefighter I Course, but who feel they have obtained the necessary training by some other means; or whose previous certifications are more than 2 editions in arrears of the current NFPA 1001 standard, may challenge the Firefighter I Exam. To be eligible to take the Firefighter I Challenge Exam, the candidate must be at least 18 years of age at the test date and submit proof of the following training with their challenge exam application:

Current Adult and Child CPR with AED Certification Current First Aid with Environmental Emergencies Certifications Hazardous Materials Operations that qualifies as current with NFPA 472. Highway Safety Wildland Firefighter (9 hours) ICS100: Introduction to Incident Command System (Online Web Based course)

Challenge Exam Part 1: Written Exam The written exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions based on the knowledge requirements outlined in the current edition of NFPA 1001, Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications. Candidates must achieve a minimum passing score of 70. Candidates are permitted two attempts at passing the written exam. A second attempt may take place after 14 days but before 60 days of the first attempt and will be conducted at the Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford.

Challenge Exam Part 2: Practical Skills Exam The practical skills exam consists of 10 practical skill stations based on the requisite skills outlined in the current edition of NFPA 1001, Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications. Candidates must demonstrate satisfactory skill performance in each of these skill stations. Two attempts per skill station are permitted at the initial skills exam. Candidates are permitted one retest opportunity consisting of two additional attempts for stations that are failed plus an additional randomly selected skill station. The retest opportunity must take place after 14 days but before 60 days of the first attempt and will be conducted at the Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford. If the candidate fails to pass either the previously failed skill station or the additional random skill station, then the challenge process ends.

Firefighter I Certification is granted once a candidate passes both the written and practical skills exams.

Download the Challenge Exam Application

Firefighter II Challenge Exam

Individuals who have not completed an approved Vermont Fire Academy sanctioned Firefighter II Course, but who feel they have obtained the necessary training by some other means; or whose previous certifications are more than 2 editions in arrears of the current NFPA 1001 standard, may challenge the Firefighter II Exam. To be eligible to take the Firefighter II Challenge Exam, the candidate must be at least 18 years of age at the test date and submit proof of the following training with their challenge exam application:

Proof of valid Vermont Firefighter I Certification or certification that is recognized as equivalent to Vermont standards. Current Adult and Child CPR with AED Certification Hazardous Materials Operations Certification that qualifies as current with NFPA 472. ICS200: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (Online Web Based Course)

Challenge Exam Part 1: Written Exam The written exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions based on the knowledge requirements outlined in the current edition of NFPA 1001, Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications. Candidates must achieve a minimum passing score of 70. Candidates are permitted two attempts at passing the written exam. A second attempt may take place after 14 days but before 60 days of the first attempt and will be conducted at the Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford.

Challenge Exam Part 2: Practical Skills Exam The practical skills exam consists of 10 practical skill stations based on the requisite skills outlined in the current edition of NFPA 1001, Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications. Candidates must demonstrate satisfactory skill performance in each of these skill stations. Two attempts per skill station are permitted at the initial skills exam. Candidates are permitted one retest opportunity consisting of two additional attempts for stations that are failed plus an additional randomly selected skill station. The retest opportunity must take place after 14 days but before 60 days of the first attempt and will be conducted at the Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford. If the candidate fails to pass either the previously failed skill station or the additional random skill station, then the challenge process ends.

Firefighter II Certification is granted once a candidate passes both the written and practical skills exams.

Download the Challenge Exam Application

Firefighter I Challenge Examination: Location: Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford When: Thursday, June 16, 2016 Time: 0830 until finished Application deadline: Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Firefighter II Challenge Examination: Location: Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford When: Friday, June 24, 2016 Time: 0830 until finished Application deadline: Wednesday, June 1, 2016

VERMONT TRAINING

Fire Officer I/II CourseLocation: Hartford, Vt. Town Hall, (hosted by the Hartford, Vt. Fire Department)

Course Schedule: Orientation: Tuesday, April 12, 2016 (0830 - 1600) Week 1: May 9 - 13 (0830 - 1700) Week 2: May 23 - 27 (0830 - 1700) Week 3: June 6 - 10 (0830 - 1700)

Application Deadline: Close of Business on Monday, March 28, 2016 This is a Pilot delivery therefore space is limited to a maximum 15 students. Due to course demand, seats will be awarded to applicants based on fair department disbursement and the applicant's need for certification. An applicant's Chief or Training Officer may be consulted during the decision making process.

Prerequisites: Responder Hazardous Materials Operations Certification that qualified as current with NFPA 472. Current National Certification in Firefighter II Current National Certification in Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I NIMS Certification: ICS-200

Link to General Admission Application Course Description:

This program provides the current Fire Officers and aspiring officers timely information that aids in the performance as a company officer. This educationally sound, objective-based course addresses and complies with the National Fire Protection Association Standard, NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications, 2014 Edition. Topics covered include developing the proper mind set, accountability and responsibility, cultural diversity, safety and wellness, crew resource management, public relations, functional leadership, incident command, affirmative action issues, budgeting process, strategic planning, and strategy and tactics. The course also includes a research component where the participants complete 12 research projects on assigned topics based on their own fire departments protocol, policies and practices. An additional 40 to 80 hours of course work is required in addition to the course hours listed above.

ON THIS DATE IN HISTORY

ON THIS DATE IN HISTORY - 1 year ago today - 2nd alarm fire at Stratton Ski Area Base Lodge. Dispatchers on duty were Lt. Tom Redin and Dispatcher Virginia Gilman. Photos by Wardsboro Chief Chris Liller.

CHIEF DONALD HOLBROOK

Now hanging in my office at Fire Mutual Aid Headquarters is this portrait. It is Chief Donald Holbrook who started Meadowood County Area Fire Department and played a role in the starting up of Southwestern NH District Fire Mutual Aid. Had never seen a picture of him in a Fire Mutual Aid class A uniform. This picture was found at a flea market in Florida by a gentleman who noticed the label on the back, "Scotty's Camera Shop Cypress St. Keene NH". He called the Keene fire station and talked to Captain Burke and described the portrait. I think he paid around 5.00 for it and offered to ship it to Captain Burke free of charge. When it came Captain Burke called me to come see it and then he gave me the portrait to have for Fire Mutual Aid. A big thank you to KFD Captain Burke.Deputy Chief Tom Redin Donald Holbrook

FIRE MUTUAL AID TRAINING SESSION

SOUTHWESTERN NH DISTRICT FIRE MUTUAL AID WILL BE CONDUCTING A TRAINING SESSION ABOUT FIRE MUTUAL AID AND PROPER RADIO PROCEDURES AT THE NEWBROOK FIRE STATION ON ROUTE 30 IN NEWFANE ON TUESDAY NIGHT FEBRUARY 23RD AT 1900 HOURS.ALL AREA DEPARTMENTS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.

TWELVE YEARS AGO TODAY

12 years ago today, all of us at Fire Mutual Aid lost a great friend when past dispatcher Rob Cunningham III passed away. Rob, also a past member of Fitzwilliam and Meadowood Fire Departments had left to pursue his dream of being an FDNY firefighter. At the time of his death, he was proudly serving in the EMS Division of the FDNY. R.I.P. Rob. WE NEVER FORGET(Pictured is Rob on the right and Deputy Chief Tom Redin)