October 05, 2009
Monday

Ketchikan, Alaska - Current members and new recruits of the Ketchikan Fire Department, North Tongass and South Tongass Volunteer Fire Departments have been working diligently since August 22nd to complete Firefighter-1 training under the direction of Ketchikan Fire Department Training and Safety Officer, Terry Roberts.

The 140 plus hours spent training these firefighters includes more than 27 subjects and countless hours of home study in preparation for a written examination on October 16th, said Fire Chief Jim Hill in a news release.

Hill said the grueling training requires 100% attendance and several weeks commitment from the students who hope to become "interior qualified" and properly trained to safely and effectively become firefighters for this community.

Sixteen (16) of the original eighteen (18) men and women firefighter candidates participated in a full 8 hours of "Live Fire" training on Saturday October 3rd. The training was held at Fire Station #2 and at the Solid Waste Facility where candidates fought vehicle fires, trash fires, and structure fires under controlled conditions. They also practiced handling hose lines, setting up master stream devices, and using all of their equipment and training.

The class concludes on October 17th with a full day of practical examinations, skills testing, and performance based examinations by a Certifying Officer provided by the State of Alaska Fire Marshal's office, Training and Education Bureau.

Source of News & photographs:

Ketchikan Fire Department
www.city.ketchikan.ak.us/departments/Fire/firehome.html

 

SitNews ©2009
Stories In The News
Ketchikan, Alaska