Training Officers Committee
Minutes of the Meeting
December 9, 2005

Meeting was called to order by Steve Wells,

Introductions were made;

Steve Wells welcomed all TOs and department representatives.

Program Presentation-Firetown Training Specialists

Kurt Latipaw introduced representatives from Firetown, who explained their teaching credentials and curriculum. Ukiah City is hosting a an Engineer Academy in December, following a very successful Truck Academy done by Firetown in July.
Firetown keeps its curriculum current with NFPA and OSHA requirements. Numerous subjects are available along with a core of dedicated and professional instructors representative of various departments across the nation.
See www.firetowntrainingspecialist.com for fees, schedules and other information. Class size is normally limited to 30. As a side note, Firetown does not issue certificates or follow SFT guidelines for certification of classes.

ROP representative

Nona gave the members present a quick rundown of current Fire Department instructors and current inhouse training. Hopland Fire Department is coming on board with their own ROP instructor soon. There is still a need for more ROP instructors to increase the instructor pool in our County.

There was some discussion of the overlap between Mendocino Community College and ROP on some State Certified classes. MCC will be hosting 4 level 1 classes in 2006, and it is understood that the college is seeking qualified instructors to implement more classes.
Discussion followed on the importance of communication with the Mendocino Fire Chief’s Association and the Training Officers Committee and the capabilities of these two entities in getting the local word out to firefighters when classes are available from the College.

Mike Ciancio, Volunteer Fire Fighter Academy,

Mike Ciancio passed out the current flyer with dates and locations for the 2006 VFA. Discussion followed on recognizing the hours that students were actually in class. Students will only receive certification for hours actually present. Discussion followed on developing modules of instruction, so that students could catch up on or repeat modules that they didn’t feel competent with. Discussion followed on the importance of the Academy to local departments and the need for documentation for certification of firefighters.

Northtree Trailer,

Kurt Latipaw and Ukiah City FD were able to bring Northtree Trailer to Ukiah for 2006. Northtree will provide the Fire Control 3 certification for the 2006 Academy on April 1, 2006, and will open the simulator to the county on April 2, 2006.

State Fire Marshal’s Office

There was some discussion of the SFT boondoggle of scheduling and managing classes. Everyone was advised to be patient with SFT as they are in the rebuilding process.

FLAG Trailer

The Willits Fire Department is working with Humboldt County in taking over the sponsorship of the FLAG trailer, so that it will be available locally.

Ocean Rescue-Helicopter

Danny Hervilla of Mendocino Fire Department announced that Mendocino Fire will be hosting a Ocean Rescue Class on May 12, 2006.

Local Needs-Training

Member present did a round table of requested classes, and includes HAZMAT Decon, NWCG classes, Nobody left Behind, Modified Truck Class, Confined Space, and Ethics classes.

CDF Training Schedule

Rich Brohem of CDF handed out the CDF training Schedule. CDF has been kind enough to allow Mendocino County Fire Department members a chance to attend some classes, and includes many ICS classes.

Old Business

New Business

WPGA-some discussion on seeing this impressive class be made available in two possibly three locations, and a means to fund them also. Carl Magann and Mike Ciancio on looking at local funding

Treasurer’s Report

Next Meeting

Fort Bragg Fire Department, January 13, 2006 at 1000 hours.