Training
The Training Division schedules, coordinates, and manages a wide range of training activities for the department. In addition to general fire topics, firefighters train in a variety of subjects to include emergency medical care, technical rescue, hazardous material response, structural collapse, trench and confined space rescue, ARFF, weapons of mass destruction and terrorism. The division evaluates training programs, and helps keep the department abreast of changes in fire service standards and technology.
The Training Division is housed at the Fayetteville Regional Airport Firefighting Training Facility. Also housed at the facility is the Fire Coordinator for Fayetteville Technical Community College. Firefighters throughout the region can attend various classes held at the training facility throughout the year.
Fire Training Facility
The Fire Training Facility is the primary facility for the Training Division. The Training Officer and two Assistant Training Officers operate out of this building. Located on approximately eleven acres of land, the building itself is roughly 13,000 square feet. Included in the building are three classrooms that can hold up to twenty five students each. Two of the classes can be combined into one if a larger classroom is needed. Numerous classes, which include those held for new recruits, continuing education classes for department personnel, and others established by Fayetteville Technical Community College are held here annually.
The Fire Training Tower is the newest resource located at the Fire Training Facility. Construction was completed on this building in January of 2011. It was built to replace the old training tower located on North Eastern Boulevard next to the Fayetteville Botanical Garden. The new tower is a four story building with several training simulators built into it. Personnel can train on areas such as fire suppression, ventilation, rope rescue, search and rescue, forced entry, and more.
The Fayetteville Fire Training Facility is equipped with the resources necessary to train personnel on Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting. The FFD provides around the clock protection for the Fayetteville Regional Airport which offers air services to the City of Fayetteville and much of the surrounding areas. The burn simulator allows our personnel as well as other departments from across the state to simulate procedures for rescuing people from aircraft fires. The simulator, which is supplied by LP gas for use in burning exercises, has several sensors around the equipment that detect water and will extinguish the fire appropriately when training.
The Aircraft Search and Rescue simulator allows personnel to train on the proper techniques for removing victims from a downed aircraft. Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting is a specialized area that requires additional as well as specialized resources than that of a typical fire ground incident.
A major portion of the job responsibilities for department personnel is to know how to drive and operate a fire apparatus. The resources needed to train and test our personnel are located here at the Fire Training Facility. Personnel have the ability to utilize the fire apparatus, equipment, and the driving course in their training. Every firefighter must go through a Driver Operator Qualification Program where they demonstrate their ability to effectively drive and operate a fire apparatus.
The Fire Training Facility also offers training in specialized fields such as confined space and trench rescue. The Confined Space simulator provides several tunnels and containers that allows personnel to conduct exercises that help prepare them for actual emergency situations.
Benchmark Drills
Each year the Training Division conducts a series of exercises called Benchmark Drills. These drills are done in accordance with NFPA Standards and allow the department's personnel to measure their ability to effectively mitigate given situations on the fire ground. Through these exercises, the department is able to identify strengths as well as weaknesses that help us in providing the most effective services to the public. Quickly gaining control of an emergency situation is equally as important as responding to it.
Fire Science Degree Program
The Educational Partnership Program
The Fire Protection Technology
In an effort to increase diversity within the department and to offer an opportunity for existing firefighters to further their education, Fayetteville Fire Department has partnered with Cumberland County Schools (E.E. Smith High School), Fayetteville Technical Community College and Fayetteville State University to establish innovative programs. The programs created by the partnership create a win-win scenario for all involved.
Through the partnership, high school students are exposed to the fire service while attending a Fire Academy at E.E. Smith High School. The program was designed to take advantage of FTCC's Huskins program. The Huskins program allows students to attend college courses while in high school---earning both tuition free college credits and high school elective credits through the course. In classes, the student gains an understanding of managerial and various issues pertaining to fire and emergency services. Instruction for courses is presented through a combination of online technology with weekly face-to-face classes. Students have the opportunity to graduate with up to 22 credits towards a degree in Fire Science. In the future, students from other schools will also be able to attend the Fire Science Academy's at E.E. Smith High School through Cumberland County's School of Choice program.
The innovative programs also helps to provide needed services in the area. The City of Fayetteville partnered with Fayetteville State University to build a 19,000 square foot fire station, Station #14 on FSU's campus. The university provided the land on which the station was built, while the City of Fayetteville funded the construction of the station. The station design also includes classroom and community space, along with video conferencing capabilities to strengthen our education delivery services.
Members of the Fayetteville Fire Department staff the station. The personnel are certified as firefighters, emergency medical technicians and as emergency rescue technicians. They offer an abundance of skills, knowledge and ability to our community.
For Additional information contact 910-433-1728.
Related Links
NC OSFM State Transcripts
https://apps.ncdoi.net/f?p=301:101
Fire Science Online
http://www.firescience.org/fire-science-degrees-and-programs/north-carolina/
Fayetteville State University - Fire Science Program
https://www.uncfsu.edu
Fayetteville Technical Community College
http://www.faytechcc.edu/
E.E. Smith High School
http://www.eeshs.ccs.k12.nc.us/