Visit us at WWW.FFCA.ORG 33 Polk Deputy Chief Completes Designation Process? By Kevin Watler, Communications Specialist, PIO Polk County Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Keith A. Williams successfully completed the process that awards him the professional designation of Fire Marshal. The Commission on Professional Credentialing met on December 13, 2016, to officially confer the designation upon Chief Williams, who is only one of 116 persons worldwide that have received this designation. The commission awards the Fire Marshal designation only after an individual successfully meets all of the organization’s stringent criteria. The process included an assessment of Williams’ education, experience, professional development, technical competencies and contributions to the profession, and community involvement. In addition, all applicants are required to identify a future development plan. The Fire Marshal designation program uses a comprehensive peer review model to evaluate candidates seeking the credential. The Commission on Professional Credentialing, an entity of the Center for Public Safety Excellence, administers the Fire Marshal Designation Program. The commission consists of individuals from academia, federal and local government, and fire and emergency medical services professions. To learn about the commission, visit www.publicsafetyexcellence.org. St. Pete Fire Cadet Program By By Lisa Brekke Public Education/Training Specialist Last year, the City of St. Petersburg and Fire Rescue Administration began discussions regarding methods to increase organizational diversity. During these discussions, a variety of potential obstacles were identified that disproportionally impact the ability for those of lower socioeconomic status and underrepresented minority groups to successfully complete the requisite fire service coursework. Among these factors were a lack of relevant exposure to fire service organizations and the pathway in which to obtain a fire service career. Additionally, the opportunity cost associated with the education and training required was identified as a significant factor affecting these groups. The Fire Cadet Program was initiated to address these concerns. Mayor Kriseman stated, “The Fire Cadet Program would defray the cost of becoming a firefighter, so doors of opportunity can swing open a little wider for the underserved in our City.” The program provides selected candidates full sponsorship for an EMT and Fire Academy program while receiving eighty (80) percent of an entry-level firefighter salary, including a full benefits package. The application process consists of an initial application screening, physical abilities test, written examination, background investigation, and an interview with the Fire Chief. A Community Outreach & Recruitment Coordinator was tasked to manage the Fire Cadet process, increase community awareness of the program and facilitate entry into the fire service. Ongoing outreach and recruitment efforts maintain focus on increasing organizational diversity. Animal Technical Rescue By John Haven, Executive Director, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine Volusia County’s Fire Rescue Technical Rescue Team (TRT), joined by Volusia County Sheriff’s range deputies, became the first team in Florida to receive training at the “Technician Level” for Animal Technical Rescue. The training, provided by the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine and its “UF VETS” Disaster Response Team, meets all criteria for the soon-to-be published National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2017 updated standards for Animal Technical Rescue for NFPA 1006 and 1670. This two-day intensive course addressed several advanced topics including helicopter rescue operations, extended-lifting duration harnesses for livestock, highline operations including system modifications to safely support the weight of livestock, pickoff/rescues from elevated platforms, ice rescue, tender assistants, and high-angle/low-point edge transitions. This course is approved by the Florida Department of Emergency Management and eligible to be covered by federal training funds. The training focused on modifying human rescue techniques to adapt to the requirements of managing animal victims. The course also provided a venue for the trainees to practice their human rescue skills, learn new techniques that address human rescue and animal rescue needs, and work with state-of-the-art equipment including the CMC MPDs. The training was conducted at the Volusia County Fire Rescue Training Center, which by combining its current classroom, tower and trench box systems, created an ideal location to maximize student engagement. The course was kept to approximately 20 students to ensure participants obtained sufficient hands-on experience to meet all training requirements associated with the NFPA standards. Kissimmee Fire Department New Hires By Joan Robinson Fire Chief Jim Walls is pleased to welcome aboard 13 new hires to the Kissimmee Fire Department. On March 21, 2017, the thirteen new hires took their oath as Firefighter EMTs and Paramedics at the Kissimmee City Commission meeting. “These new hires fulfill a valuable need in our department which has seen an increasingly larger number of calls from our growing community,” affirmed Chief Walls. Pictured L-R : Fire Chief Jim Walls, Eddy Spyrides, Matt Hausterman, Jamie Steffen, Renato Pimenta, Hai Nguyen, Max Jacobs, Logan Broberg, Jeremy Needham, Aaron Avedisian, and Lt. Ryan Appleman Back row: Greg Burns, Greg Lightbody, Rion Strum, and John Dombrosky