Stafford VA – On November 9, 2011 Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department held a graduation ceremony at Stafford Senior High School for its sixth recruit academy. During the eighteen week academy the students successfully completed Firefighter I&II, EMT-B, Hazardous Material Operations, Mayday Firefighter Down, Vehicle Awareness and Operations and EVOC. The class graduated fourteen Firefighter-EMTs, who will begin working in the Emergency Operations Division on Monday November 14th. Ms. Marla Decker, Virginia Secretary of Public Safety was the guest speaker and the recruits were sworn in by Stafford Sheriff Charles Jett.

 Front Row L-R, P.Cibotti,S.Leone,T.LeClercq,J.Doyle,R.Angel,D.Paul,J.Ayers.

Back Row LR,D.Mechling,E.Depollo,S.Strain, T.Edwards, P.Noonan,N.Vossenberg,P.Richman

Mark L. Doyle, Executive Officer

Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department

August 1^st, 2011- The Spotsylvania County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management held its commencement ceremony for Recruit Class 7 on July 15^th, 2011 graduating and welcoming seven recruits to the department.

The academy consists of 16 weeks of daily physical training, discipline and skills drills where each recruit proves that they have what it takes to become a probationary firefighter in Spotsylvania County. This recruit class was the first for Spotsylvania that included a full Virginia Department of Fire Programs certified Firefighter I & II curriculum. Those recruits that did not previously have the certifications obtained them in the academy. Along with the two core courses, recruits received all of the classes that they require to meet the minimum training standards as a firefighter or medic for the county, including Rural Water Supply, Vehicle Extrication Awareness & Operations, Hazmat Awareness & Operations, Mayday Awareness & Operations and EVOC II & III.

Recruits also received advanced tactic and survival classes that introduced them to newer ways of air management, fire behavior, large area searches, RIT and self rescue, giving them the leading edge of training and firefighter survival. EMS skills were also tested the last two weeks of the academy for both BLS and ALS providers and new equipment was also introduced and explained. The physical training portion of the academy consisted of three days of cardio and two days of weight training where recruits pushed themselves to their maximum.

Towards the end of the academy, there was a weekly firefighter combat challenge obstacle course, which the recruits went through first in PT clothes, then with gear, and finally with all gear and breathing SCBA. Throughout the 16 weeks, firefighter oriented training was not the only focus, instructors heavily enforced the department’s mission statement and core values of Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence to remind the recruits that the job is not just about putting out fires and cutting up cars but serving the citizens of Spotsylvania County. The seven recruits as a whole overcame many obstacles throughout the academy including the ability to complete a seven mile run.

Additionally, two students who previously did not have fire certifications graduated with Firefighter I & II. Recruit Class 7 will also help the county with staffing levels enabling them to implement 24 hour career coverage, beginning August 22^nd. The department is now in the process of preparing for Recruit Class 8, set to begin at the end of October. Recruit Class 8 will provide additional personnel needed to increase 24 hour career coverage in the first quarter of 2012.

Congratulations to all the recruits on a long and hard journey to success!

Info and images from Jim Hylton
Fire Lieutenant and VDFP Adjunct Instructor

Congratulations to the 20 members of the Roanoke Firefighter Rookie Class #14.
The class graduated on July 7, 2011.
The school is conducted at the Roanoke Valley Regional Fire Training Center.
The intensive 16 week school is designed to train and certify the cadets to meet NFPA 1001: “Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications” as applied by the Virginia Department of Fire Programs.
Some came with ALS qualifications, others will start as an EMT-B, and all will continue their training in order to meet the EMS requirements of their departments.
In the class picture included here, Roanoke County Fire Rescue Training Officer Tim Craighead is on the left, and on the right is the Principle of the school, Lieutenant Tom Gherman of Roanoke Fire EMS (city).
I wish for them a safe and successful career.

Submitted by Jeff Bailey – Division Chief/Training
Spotsylvania County Dept. Fire, Rescue & Emergency Management

The Spotsylvania County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management held its commencement ceremony for Recruit Class 6 on December 29^th, 2010. These nine recruits were engaged in an intense recruit training program for thirteen weeks, focusing on basic firefighting skills and EMS remediation. All recruits possessed prior NFPA 1001 and EMS certification. The focus of the recruit training program is to ensure all personnel are competent in all basic firefighting skills, accountability, basic ICS, vehicle extrication, RIT and Mayday Operations, advanced search techniques, rural water supply, and emergency vehicle operations. This program provides an abbreviated curriculum that refines basic skills, while introducing new and advanced fire ground training and concepts. Recruit 6 class completed nearly 340 hours of formal instruction, with 142 hours of VDFP firefighter I and II curriculum.

Prince William County Fire and Rescue was gracious to offer a day of Air Track Management (ATC) training to Recruit Class 6, a program brought from Europe that introduces new concepts in fire behavior and tactics. Recruits were introduced to flashover and backdraft training, engaging in fire control tactics to reduce the risk of flashover and smoke explosion. This was an excellent and rare training opportunity; a highlight of the recruit training program.

Recruit class 6 has many accomplishments to be proud of, perhaps the greatest being a final formation run of 7 miles. These nine recruits will report to their stations with the latest training, built on the foundation of basic firefighting skills, physical fitness, and department core values. This graduating class also brings six ALS providers to the field. In addition to the commencement ceremony, Firefighter Aaron Lovell was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.  The graduating Recruits were:  Lisa Art, Robert Belman, Jr., Kelly Christmann, Mark Cunningham, Jr., Jennifer Dauerer, Curtis Pate, Andrew Pullen, Jerry Smith and Robert Usher.  Congratulations to you all!  William G. Shelton, Jr. the Executive Director from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs was the Key Note Speaker for the Graduation ceremonies.

The department will be preparing for Recruit Class 7 in the upcoming months. This class will also contain personnel with prior experience and certification.

Stafford Va – On December 15th 2010 Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department held a graduation ceremony at Brooke Point High School for its fifth firefighter recruit academy. During the fifteen week academy the students successfully completed Firefighter I&II, Hazardous Material Operations, Mayday Firefighter Down, Vehicle Awareness and Operations, Rope Awareness and Operations, EVOC I,II & III and required EMS recertification hours. The class graduated seven probationary firefighters, who began working in the Emergency Services Division on Monday December 20th. The guest speaker was Ms. Terri Suit the Assistant to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness and the recruits were sworn in by Stafford Sheriff Charlie Jett.

Pictured in the attachment L-R Paul Williams, Kevin Skewes, Samuel Packett, Justin Harrison, Stephen Hale, Zachery Crites, Jonathan Blackwell

Dustin Sternbeck, Public Information Officer
Loudoun County Fire-Rescue Services

On Thursday July 29, 2010 the Loudoun County Fire-Rescue System recognized 83 students who recently completed Fire Fighter I, Fire Fighter II, EMT–Basic, and EMT-Paramedic certifications respectively.   Family, friends, and community members filled the Heritage High School auditorium as Loudoun County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management Deputy Chief Randy Shank mastered the graduation ceremony.   Board of Supervisors representative Jim Burton of the Blue Ridge district recognized the graduates, along with Interim Chief W. Keith Brower and Fire-Rescue Commissioner Doug Rambo.

The top students this year: L-R Abigail Bashioum, Alan Reichert, Kimberly Weese

Of the 83 graduates, 14 of the 17 independent Volunteer companies were represented, in addition to Loudoun County Fire-Rescue career personnel. Each of the course coordinators presented their respective classes and described the training required to achieve the certification.  The 83 graduates participated in the intensive five-month training program at the Loudoun County Fire-Rescue Training academy in Leesburg. Classes were held on weekday evenings and weekend days. At the end of training, students passed a Loudoun County and state examination in their respective areas to become certified as firefighters and emergency medical technicians.

During the graduation the Loudoun County Fire-Rescue course coordinator presented the top student of the class.  Top students are chosen for their high level of dedication to the profession, academic performance, punctuality and their ability to lead and motivate others.  The Spring 2010 top students (pictured above) are:

Firefighter I-II                                                     Abigail Bashioum, Purcellville Volunteer Fire

Emergency Medical Technician-Basic                 Alan Reichert, Round Hill Volunteer Fire-Rescue

Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic       Kimberly Weese, Loudoun County Volunteer Rescue                                                                               Squad

For more information about volunteering with Loudoun County Fire-Rescue please contact Karen McQuaid, Volunteer Program Manager at (703) 777-0568 or visit www.answerthecall.info

Click on “more” below to view the list of all 83 graduates.

Loudoun County Fire-Rescue

Spring 2010 Graduates

On June 17 at 6 p.m. Richmond Fire and Emergency Services held its basic recruit graduation ceremony for 20 new firefighters. The process started last year with the opening of the application period that resulted in more than 3,000 applicants. These firefighters went thru a 20 week academy. Some of them hit the streets of Richmond as early as this past Saturday. The graduation address was given by Deputy Secretary of Public Safety for the State of Virginia John Buckovich.

Lt. Shawn L. Jones, CFO
City of Richmond Fire & Emergency Services

The Roanoke County Firefighter II Class is nearing completion. They recently had their night burn and enjoyed using the Roanoke Valley Training Centers new Class B burn building

Submitted by Matthew Jones

The entire Academy class before our burn. Front row from left to right: Matthew Jones (Class President), Aaron Kasey (Batallion 1 Leader), Hunter Bell, David Ketchum, Daniel Rodgers, Jon Shelton and Tracey Huffman. Second Row from left to right: Wes Mullins (Batallion 2 leader), Mikie Lester, Zach Harrell, Greg Davies, Justin Smith, Jeremy Wimmer, W. Krae Heath, Keith Ball and Morgan Doyle.

The last evolution before we ended the training for the night.

The students took command of the training evolution.

Story and Photos by Nate Camfiord

On Wednesday July 8th, the Prince William County Fire and Rescue Training Academy graduated the very first Volunteer Firefighter I/II (combination) Recruit Class. The class consisted of volunteer recruits from Yorkshire, Dale City, OWL, Dumfries and Lake Jackson. The graduation ceremony took place at the Prince William County Fire and Rescue Training Academy in Nokesville, and was attended by friends and family of the graduating recruits, instructors from throughout the county, as well as officers and chiefs from many of the county’s 10 volunteer departments. Prince William County DFR Captain Shawn Crispin presided over the ceremony.

The class initially began their training in fall of 2008, but was halted following the LODD of volunteer recruit Cecilia Turnbough. Following a restructuring of the course curriculum (which included mandated physicals) the class returned to training in January, 2009 – from day 1 of the new training cirriculum, making the total time commitment by the recruits nearly 8 months. Recruits attended class two nights a week as well as a full day on weekends.

Front Row L-R: FF/Medic J. Bartlett & FF J. Zaremski

Back Row L-R: FF/Medic B. Frostick, FF J. Cundiff, FF J. Reed, FF J. Absher, & FF S. Lower

Submitted by K. H. Hartle Jr