NORTH STAR FIRE NEWS
PRESS RELEASE
FROM: Jerry Hanson, Deputy Chief DATE: November 18, 2006
For Immediate Release: North Pole, Alaska.
On Saturday, November 18, 2006,
Recruit Firefighter students from five local volunteer fire departments (North
Star Volunteer Fire Department, North Pole Fire Department, Steese Area
Volunteer Fire Department, Chena Goldstream Fire and Rescue, and Ester
Volunteer Fire Department) conducted live-fire and other training drills at the
Fairbanks Regional Training Center on Lathrop Street. These training drills provided hands-on training in the methods of
fire attack, building search and rescue procedures, and vertical ventilation,
despite temperatures of minus 25 degrees F. most of the day. Trainees were also provided instruction in fire behavior, fire
hose deployment, fire ground safety, use of personal protective equipment and
self contained breathing apparatus, and forcible entry hand and power tools. Instructors were provided by all five fire
departments.
The Interior Alaska 2006 Firefighter
One class started on September 11, 2006, on the fifth anniversary of the
tragedies of 9-11-01. This year’s class
is scheduled to be completed on December 2, 2006, with final comprehensive
written and practical skills testing. A
minimum of 160 hours of classroom instruction must be completed, and countless
hours away from class practicing new skills, before the students will have
acquired the knowledge and skills to be considered State of Alaska and nationally
certified at the Firefighter One level.
These Recruit Firefighters will then take their new skills back to their
home fire departments and continue to practice and polish the proper techniques
until they have perfected them, and only then will they be considered fully
qualified Firefighters.
Over 30 students started the class
and the remaining 20 students in the program are a testimonial to their dedication
to finish a difficult course of instruction in addition to working their regular
jobs and attending to personal and family issues. There is no pay for these students while in this training
program, just a strong desire to protect their homes and their community. It is this type of community dedication that
makes the Interior a richer, and much safer, place to live.
The attached photos were taken by
Catherine Grieve, North Star Volunteer Fire Department Photographer. Please give proper credit for any pictures
reproduced.
