Volunteer fire fighters from several different companies received special training last weekend on extinguishing car and building fires. The training was part of a standardized state certification course.
Fire fighters throughout Armstrong County are continuing their training toward state certification.
Over the weekend, Kittanning Hose Co. #4 Fire Chief Scott Kline explained Module 4 of the Essentials of Firefighter Training course.
“This training consists of vehicle fires, vehicle fire characteristics and so forth. So each crew will rotate in, do fire suppression on the vehicle and also gain access into the engine compartment and so forth.”
Kittanning Hose Company #6 Fire Chief Scott Kline (left) explains suppression techniques for fighting car fires to several volunteers involved in last weekend’s training course.
To have a hands-on class, the training was held at Rupp’s Auto Wrecking in Rayburn Township.
“Rupp’s Auto Wrecking was generous enough to let us use this property and provided one car. Duncan’s Towing was also able to provide a car for us,” Kline said.
There were nine volunteers from Kittanning Hose Company #6, two from Pine Township, two from West Hills (formerly East Franklin), and two from Harrison Hills of Allegheny Valley. Kline said this exercise is part of a 40-hour class.
Last Sunday, the volunteers were at the Armstrong County Fire School to train on structure fires, where they took turns going into an actual burning building.
“After that, they do their state written test and then they’ll finish up their Essentials class which hopefully prepares everybody to move onto the Firefighter I status.”
Manor Township has achieved over 50% of their firefighters who have received state certification. Kline said his department is now at 75% certification.
“ We have been an accredited department through the state for the past eight years. We just want to keep the younger folks in line to continue the certification route.”