1. Simulated accident scene at the Rio Dell Fire Department for training purposes as part of the Eel River Valley Fire Academy.
2. Fortuna Fire Chief Lon Winburn demonstrates to Eel River Valley Fire Academy students how to use hand tools for extrication purposes.
New recruits in Eel River Valley Fire Departments will be better prepared to deal with emergencies by receiving classroom and hands on training through the Eel River Valley Fire Academy. The 6 + week Academy began in early March and has included topics of firefighter safety, fire ground communications, building construction and fire behavior, and salvage operations.
Last weekend, volunteer firefighters from Bridgeville, Carlotta, Ferndale, Fortuna, Loleta, Rio Dell, and Scotia participated in session no. 10 of the Fire Academy, a hands-on extrication exercise, learning skills associated with both hand and hydraulic tools, and patient extrication.
Rio Dell Police Officer David Lungi Jr. had the opportunity to observe some of the training exercise at the Rio Dell Fire Department. He described the hands-on training opportunity as essential for garnering skills to appropriately respond to fires, vehicle accidents, and medical emergencies. “It’s about teamwork,” he said.
The Fortuna Fire Department started the Academy in 2005 to condense two to three years of monthly training for new fire department volunteers, into an intensive six to eight week learning experience. “In 2008 the academy was opened up to all the departments in the Eel River Valley,” Fortuna Fire Chief Lon Winburn said.
Since the Fire Academy began “we have seen a dramatic increase in the level of ability and knowledge of our newest members as well as a much high level of confidence,” Winburn said. Describing those who participate in the Academy Winburn said, “They now understand why and know how to do what they are assigned to do at a fire/rescue scene and are able to do those assignments safely and efficiently.”
For the first time this year, sponsors donated funding to help pay the costs associated with the Fire Academy. Sponsors include Bill & Don Becker (Becker Insurance), Tom Cox (Capitol Insurance Corp), Don Brown (State Farm Insurance), Bob Walker (Harbers Insurance Agency), Lisa Losey and Christine Huston (Gates and Associates Insurance Agency – a division of George Petersen Insurance Agency), Kevin Hansen (Farmers Insurance Group), Tom & Donna Ross (Farmers Insurance Group), and Kevin Elderkin (State Farm Insurance).
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