FIRE MUTUAL AID IS HIRING

Southwestern NH District Fire Mutual Aid is accepting resumes for part time Communications Specialists for the purpose of filling current openings and developing a hiring list for future openings. Resumes should be mailed to Chief Joe Sangermano, PO Box 443, Keene NH 03431, before 3:00pm on June 12th. Resumes may be dropped off at the dispatch center at 32 Vernon St. in Keene with prior notification.

TRAINING IN HINSDALE JUNE 2ND AND 3RD

This is a write-up explaining the drill we will hold on June 2nd & 3rd at HFD (Hinsdale). 

This is the 1st time anyone is renting this prop and putting the drill on themselves. Let’s make the best of it and spread the word so that we can all learn a little and have a gathering to get to know our brothers a little better. 

We are asking for a $20 per person donation to offset the cost of the rental however if funding is short no one will be turned away. If people donate more than the rental cost the proceeds will be donated to Chris Grover & DTS or the Fallen firefighters association as this is not being set up as a fund raiser for us. 

There is a pizza place next door if it is needed, not promising we will supply food. 

 

June 2nd & 3rd from 9 am to 3 pm 

You can come for an hour or all day both days it’s up to you!

Please spread the word.

If you plan on attending, you can leave a message at the Hinsdale Fire Dept. 603-336-5512

 

Thanks 

Leon Dunbar 

Capt. HFD

603-336-5512

 

 

The firefighter training maze

The firefighter training maze is a prop that DTS has designed and built for real world training inside the fire house.  It is portable and modular as well as light weight and virtually indestructible.  The prop can be changed and adapted to create any number of mazes as well as any number of building and house floor plans.

In a maze configuration it’s all about refinement of skills.  Getting familiar with PPE and SCBA as well as basic search patterns and overcoming obstacles are best accomplished utilizing the maze.  Building confidence and ensuring the participant can handle the stresses of being a firefighter is the top priority.

Moving on to more real-world scenarios is where DTS and the prop excel.  Training in a maze is not realistic and acquired structures are few and far between.  The DTS prop can bridge that gap.  Using the modular design, the instructors can design any number of building and floor plans from the community, even using doors and windows. What this creates is a platform to use the skills and techniques refined in the maze into a scenario that the firefighter could possibly encounter in their community.  We believe this is an invaluable asset to any organization.

 

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Dispatcher Virginia Foote for 9 years of dedicated service to Fire Mutual Aid.

Congratulations to Dispatcher Anna Kercewich for 9 years of dedicated service to Fire Mutual Aid.

Hinsdale High School Mentor Dinner

Last evening, Chief Sangermano, Deputy Redin, Dispatcher Foote and Dispatcher Nyre attended the Hinsdale High School Mentor Dinner. Since October 2017, Dispatcher Foote and Dispatcher Nyre have been mentoring Hinsdale High Senior Victoria Gassett in the field of emergency dispatching. Earlier this year, Victoria passed the 40 hour APCO Telecommunicator Course. Victoria was one of 23 students who participated in the Extended Learning Opportunity Program. We were very happy to participate in this program and have Victoria for our student.

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Training

The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy has seats available for the following courses:

Flashover Simulator Training Activity #291, Session E9, May 12, 2018 

Location:  Winchendon Fire Department

The deadline to register is May 4

 

Elevator Rescue  Activity #542, Session E8, May 18, 2018

Location: MFA Stow

The deadline to register is May 18

 

Taking Action Against Cancer in the Fire Service Activity #422, Session E90, May 15, 2018

Location:  Lee Fire Department

The deadline to register is is May 15

Cancer is becoming an ever-increasing cause of firefighter deaths. Firefighters have much higher rates of cancer than the residents they serve because of exposure to carcinogens on the fireground and in the firehouse. We have a Regional Offering of Taking Action Against Cancer in Lee Massachusetts on May 15, 2018 at 18:30. This course will provide information on immediate actions that all ranks, from firefighter to chief, can take to reduce the occupational cancer risk and how the nonprofit Firefighter Cancer Support Network can help firefighters cope with cancer. The course will address the importance of promoting a new culture of safety and fitness by developing the mindset that firefighters are tactical athletes, in order to help prevent cancer, heart disease, and injuries within their departments. This course is typically offered specifically for on-duty firefighters – this one in Lee is open to any firefighter that is interested in attending. It also offers three (3) OEMS credits.

Please register in the DFS LMS

FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT

The Heath Ma. Fire Department and the Franklin County Fire Chiefs’ Association regretfully announce the passing of Chief Earl M. Gleason (retired), who served the Town of Heath Fire Department in several capacities for 70 years (1948-2018), including 21 as Chief (1975-1996).

At the request of the family, there are no calling hours.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2018, 1400 hours, at the Heath Union Church, 5 East Main Street, Heath, MA 01346, with formal burial to follow.

More details for fire personnel regarding funeral services forthcoming.

TRAINING IN FRANCESTOWN

SOUTHWESTERN NH DISTRICT FIRE MUTUAL AID WILL BE CONDUCTING A TRAINING SESSION ABOUT FIRE MUTUAL AID AND PROPER RADIO PROCEDURES AT THE FRANCESTOWN FIRE STATION ON MAY 2ND AT 1900 HOURS.
ALL AREA DEPARTMENTS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.

Vermont Fire Training Notice

TO:        Vermont Fire Chiefs and County Fire Service Organizations

FROM:  Vermont Fire Academy

DATE:    April 27, 2018

RE:         Firefighter I, II and Firefighter I/II program requests - FY 2019

 

 

The Vermont Fire Academy is accepting requests for Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Firefighter I/II and other certification programs to be held in FY19.

 

If your fire department or county firefighter association would like to host a firefighter certification training program in the upcoming fiscal year, fill out a Request for Training Form and submit it to the Vermont Fire Academy by June 15, 2018 for consideration. Requests submitted after this date will not be accepted. Awarded programs require a minimum of 15 students pre-registered two weeks in advance of the program start date.

 

Selection Process for Program Awards:

The course locations are finalized by the Vermont Fire Academy Staff, with the concurrence of the Vermont Fire Service Training Council at the June Vermont Fire Service Training Council meeting. Award notifications are sent shortly after the June Vermont Fire Service Training Council meeting and typically no later than July 1st. The awarded programs typically start in late summer / early fall of that same year.

 

Items the Vermont Fire Academy considers when awarding requests:

  • Adequate host facilities (classroom, area for practical skills, accommodations for building access).
  • History of previous courses and programs hosted in the county.
  • Parking for students, instructors, and Vermont Fire Academy equipment trailers - up to tractor trailer size.
  • Site security, including snow removal in the winter.
  • When receiving multiple requests for programs in a geographic area, priority may be given to those submitted by a county organization or multiple departments.
  • Requests accompanied by a significant number of completed General Admission Applications from applicants for pre-registration will be a given higher priority.

 

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call the Vermont Fire Academy at 800-615-3473.

 

Check out the VFA website for upcoming courses!