Training Division
In 2005, the Training Division provided our personnel over 200 + hours of training. The Training Division is responsible for all training activities other than EMS. This includes all basic firefighter training, company officer training, and specialty training including confined space operations and hazardous materials response.
All members of the Bolingbrook Fire Department are required to have the following training prior to completion of their fifth year on the job:
Firefighter II = 240 hours
Firefighter III = 160 hours
Hazardous Materials Awareness = 12 hours
Hazardous Materials Operations = 56 hours
Fire Apparatus Engineer = 40 hours
Specialized Rescue Awareness = 8 hours
When a new member joins the Bolingbrook Fire Department, they go through a 6 week training/evaluation course. This includes training on department standard operating procedures, equipment, and administrative policies. The orientation includes a day each with the police department, dispatch, and fire prevention bureau.
If an individual has previous training and certification, they are evaluated for their skills. If an individual lacks prior training and/or certification, they attend a Firefighter II academy. This is the Fire Department equivalent of the police academy.
On shift, each member is required to complete 240 hours of continuing education per year. This includes both classroom and practical skills. Each member is assessed twice a year for proficiency.
In 2005, the Training Division’s focus was on fire ground safety and survival. Throughout the year, the Training Division completed all of the Department of Labor mandatory training which included, Right to Know, breathing apparatus, hazardous materials refresher course and technical rescue awareness.
In 2005, the department was able to do hands-on training in two houses slated for demolition. The first house was owned by the Village. This provided us with great flexibility. In the first house, the department trained on several scenarios. First, we trained on basic fire hose advancement drills. Second, the department erected a maze that helped up train with our Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus or SCBA’s. The final evolution involved a firefighter rescue drills utilizing the basement.
The second house was donated by a local developer. In this house we trained on the use of the Thermal Imaging Camera. This device helps us see in the smoke by reading the thermal image of the room and/or area. This was very beneficial for the new members on our department. Our final evolution involved fire fighter self-rescue. The use of these structures improved morale by providing realistic training scenarios.
In the fall, the Training Division required the entire department to complete the National Incident Management System. This class was completed online through the National Fire Academy. This brought us into compliance with the federal mandate to adopt NIMS.
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