Training Officers Committee
Minutes of the Meeting
January 5, 2007

Meeting was called to order by Steve Wells,

Introductions were made; Steve Wells welcomed all TOs and other Department and Community representatives. Members present, Carl Magann LLFPD, Steve Wells FBFD, Gregg Smith LVFPD, Mike Ciancio FBFD, Kevin Jennings UFD, Roger Dingman SCF, Jeff Adair UVFD, Jay Beristianos UVFD, Frank Maurice WVFD, Dan Thornton PVFD, Glenn Beck, FBFD, Danny Hervilla MVFD, JW Seely, Jim Harrison EH, Brendan Turner RVFD

Minutes-
Minutes were reviewed and accepted with no changes.

Budget-
Not available

Program Presentation-
None today

In the future, CSFA would like to send a representative to the TO committee meeting to do a presentation on CSFA and what they can do for us. Discussion followed. Steve Wells asked that the members present bring some creative programs for the future during the upcoming meetings.

Academy-
Mike Ciancio of Fort Bragg Fire Department, and coordinator of the Mendocino County Fire Chief’s academy advised that currently he has 13 confirmed students for the academy. Several departments represented at the meeting stated that they would probably have additional students. The academy will start as planned on January 12, 2007.

Mike Ciancio stated that he had received some feedback from various Fire Chiefs questioning the level of Certification for completing students of the Fire Academy. Mike presented the members present with his version of a Mission Statement for the Academy, which was distributed and commented on. Everyone was in agreement that his Mission Statement accurately described what this group expected from the Academy. Discussion followed on FF1 Certification, and it was agreed that each Department needs to provide the FF1 Certification for their Firefighters when they feel they are qualified. The goal of the Academy is to provide accelerated training for firefighters, and not to provide FF1 Certification.

Discussion followed on the logistics for the Eureka FireBall fire simulator. Laytonville has offered to host the FC3 portion of the class and provide for the Logistics for the weekend. Gregg Smith is heading up the Logistics committee.

Mike Ciancio stated that he was still short an Instructor and host for the First Responder Medical portion of the curriculum. Jay Beristianos offered to have UVFD to host the class and Brendan Turner offered to assist Jay in the instruction.

MCC Instructor Update
Gregg Smith introduced JW Sealy, who has expressed interest in taking part in the Fire Science Program at the Mendocino Community College. JW has an extensive background in the Fire Service and has recently retired. JW is currently working with State Fire Training on his credentialing. Welcome aboard JW.

The MCC is working on the Fire Science Curriculum in order to be able to offer more classes.

MESA Grants
Jim Harrison from Environmental Health explained how the grants work to purchase and update necessary equipment, and for funding HazMat Instruction. Jim explained that money would soon be available for the Technician 1C and 1D class to be scheduled in the near future.

Steve Wells asked if Jim Harrison would be willing to bring the new HazMat vehicle to the next TO meeting, and Jim agreed.

Training Calendar

Round Table discussion followed on upcoming classes in the County.


Wildland and Interface Drill to be announced and determined.

Discussion on EMT national Registry, and future EMT recertification will require ICS100 and NIMS700 proof sometime after March 2007.

Commanding the Initial Response, Comptche January 26 and 27. Glenn Beck will be the instructor.

Investigation 1B, structure available, but we need an instructor. Heads up for a qualified instructor.

VFO classes…Several local departments have most if not all of the VFO classes available. Even those these classes are no longer supported or recognized by State Fire Training, a lot of the information is current and pertinent for local departments. Steve Well suggested producing our own class completion certificate. Discussion followed

Old Business
None at this time

New Business
Discussion on reimbursement for lost wages of students from the HazMat 1A and 1B given in October. Jim Harrison explained that he had no control of disbursement of funds, and the means to repay the students was already in place. Jim advised that he would look into it from his end.

Rescue Systems 1 Class
Carl Magann was asked to brief the members present on the last RS1 class held in Willits recently. Class went quite well, with 42 students certified from local fire departments in the county. Through the assistance from the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors, most students received grants for their tuition to this class, which normally ranges near $600. Members of the Willits Fire Department were able to receive State Fire Training approval for their Training Facility to be able to host this class. Carl was glad to be able to report that there were no injuries reported during training evolutions.

Discussion followed on future RS1 training and in particular, another Countywide drill, with more emphasis on Fire and Rescue.


CBRN Class
Jim Harrison recently attended a class, introducing students to training with live agents. Class is free. Contact Jim Harrison if interested in receiving a link.

Next Meeting
Ukiah Valley, South Station, CDF Ukiah Station on February 9, 2007 at 1000 hours.