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Civilian Fire Academy
Class of 2003
Student awards
program (A.K.A. the fire house lesson)- awarded weekly to the student who
has drawn the instructors attention to themselves in any manner.
Progress Report - C.F.A. 2003
Week 1 - Orientation, Organization and Administration
Students were welcomed to the program by the Fire
Chief, Deputy Chief, State Representative Jack Stone and Union President Al
Menillo. After the welcome, instructors dove right into the program. An
overview of the Department and its responses for the previous year was
given. Students had the opportunity to learn how fire fighters prepare for
combat operations and also the sequence of events from the occurrence of an
emergency up to and including fire department arrival.
Week 2 - Fire Behavior, Turnout Gear and Introduction
to SCBA
The first step in knowing how to extinguish fires is
to know how they start and burn. Numerous live fire demonstrations were
provided to students to tie together the definitions of fire, oxidation,
fire triangle and chemical chain reaction with visuals. Students were fitted
and assigned turnout gear to be utilized during the course. There was a
discussion of the level of protection and the limitations of gear.
Week 2 award recipient - Jen
Rainis
Week 3 - Engine Company Operations
This class started with a short classroom session
describing the most common fire company, the engine company. Students then
participated in their first of many hands on evolutions. Students deployed,
operated and advanced hoselines of different sizes. When dealing with hoses
streams, the students of CFA2 learned that size does matter!
Week 3 award recipient - Jen
Rainis (again)
  
Week 4 - Ladder Company Operations
An introduction to ladder company operations and the
basic tools utilized was provided to students. Fire extinguishers and SCBA's
were also discussed. Following the classroom session, the 3 platoons were
separated and and allowed to perform hands on evolutions including
extinguishing oil fires with extinguishers, climbing the fire department
aerial ladder and increasing their proficiency with SCBA (air packs).
following some unique environmental conditions, the official class nickname
was created for CFA 2, "the vortex."
Week 4 award recipient - no
candidates, title remains with Jen Rainis
Week 5 -
Vehicle Rescue
Why do so many trucks go to a car accident? CFA2
class members learned first hand what jobs need to be completed when
arriving at the scene of an accident: Protect the patient from further
injury, stabilize the car, remove the vehicle from the patient and
package the patient. After the classroom portion, students got dirty
during a drill in the "bone yard," the area of the training ground with
old donated vehicles for practice.
Week 5 award recipient - hey
doc, is it traction or
immobilization????
Week 6- Emergency Medical Services
Accounting for 40% of the Fairfield Fire
Departments runs annually, students of CFA 2 received a lecture and
equipment demonstration from the world renowned paramedic (AKA "the rat
boy") Bill Tuttle. Students learned about the various types of
medical calls, intervention methods and personal first aid tips.
Coming from the Boston Area of Massachusetts, Bill had a "tough" time
relating to some of the "nutmeggers" (students) in the CFA 2 however the
educational experience should be memorable for all.
Week 5 award recipient - So many
names, so little time.... How can we choose just one. There were just so
many notable students this week. Jill does stand out in my mind, however, I
seem to remember Jen (from weeks 2, 3, 4...) feeling ignored and longing for
recognition. I don't want to leave out Wendy. I just don't know.
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Immobilization |
Traction |
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The Debate Continues |
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Week 7- CPR
Students completed American Heart Association CPR
Week 7 award recipient -
Undetermined
Week 8 - Hazardous Materials and Technical Rescue
Back in the saddle again! Having returned
refreshed from our visit to Disney, we jumped right into the various
technical areas of the fire department - hazardous materials and
specialized rescue. Did I mention the slide show of Disney pictures?
Again a split class, students gained an awareness of hazardous
materials, confined space rescue, ice rescue and others. Following the
class, students split into 2 groups where they practiced donning Level A
and B protective clothing worn in HAZMAT emergencies. The second
practical involved entering a confined space rescue simulator wearing
full protective clothing. A very educational and challenging evening for
all.
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Week 8 award recipient - This
weeks award goes to our absent students (you know who you are). Remember
that missing more than 2 classes will preclude you from participating in the
live fire evolutions. This is for your own safety.
Week 9 - Car Fires
Don your gear and grab your hoses! Tonight's class
is just warming up! That's right, car fires. The students received a
pre-fire briefing from instructors and then suited up for combat. The
class watched a demonstration of how to extinguish a vehicle fire in
real time by instructors, then each company rotated through a series of
vehicle fire evolutions. Class lesson of the night, where there is fire,
there is smoke! (and it doesn't always rise)
Week 9 "STUDENT" award recipient
- Nice try Jen! The good news is there are only 2 more classes that you
could possibly still receive this honor. The bad news, well...we will see
you on Tuesday.
Week 10 - Fire Investigation
What happens after the fire? Students learned
about the sometimes forgotten part of the fire department - the fire
marshal. This class covered the responsibilities of the fire prevention
and investigation division. Actual case files were discussed and
students were introduced to some of the methodologies of fire cause
determination.
Week 10 award recipient - not
awarded
Week 11 - Live Fire
Training
The grand finale! Tensions were high among the
students at the prefire briefing. Instructors first reviewed all the
lessons taught in the previous weeks and ensured each student that there
personal safety was the obligation and promise of every instructor. With
the briefing complete, the students donned their gear and assembled on
the drill grounds in their assigned companies. The first evolution
showed the students how a fire starts and spreads inside an enclosed
building. As the building heated up, teams of students entered the
building and practiced searching for victims and advancing the hose line
to the fire. Eighteen students came to class this evening and
eighteen students went home hot sweaty and understanding what it is like
to walk in a fire fighters shoes.
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Week 11 award recipient (and
kudos) to Joyce for overcoming her fears and climbing the ladder to the top
of the training tower!
Congratulations from
all instructors to the CFA class 03-01.
What is the Civilian Fire
Academy?
This program is designed for non-fire trained citizens and
will explain the basic structure and operations of your Fire Department.
Additionally, we will cover:
 | How fire fighters extinguish different types of fires |
| Why fire trucks are sent to medical emergencies |
| How to perform CPR before fire fighters arrive |
| Many other interesting topics |
Upon completion of course, students will have an opportunity to
participate in an actual live fire scenario under the supervision of
Fairfield Fire Fighters and Instructors. Completion of the
Civilian Fire
Academy does NOT certify students as fire fighters
Students must be 18 years or older
Thank you for your interest in our Civilian Fire Academy.
If you are interested in participating
in future classes
Call 254-4720
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