The first ever NFPA 1001 Firefighter 1 course is being taught to firefighters from the Canton, Potsdam and West Potsdam Fire Departments. This course is a collaborative effort between the three departments and the Emergency Management Training Center of Northern New York (EMTCNNY), located at SUNY Canton. Starting last year Potsdam Fire Chief Christopher Taylor and Canton Fire Assistant Chief Robert Crowe saw the need for a Firefighter 1 course due to the large number of new firefighters that had been recruited by both departments. They also saw the difficulty in scheduling a course through the St. Lawrence County Office of Emergency Services. These courses were in great demand and had full rosters the day the courses were announced. In addition, due to the large number of college students that needed the course in both departments, it would be difficult to schedule an OFPC course around their college schedule. Chiefs Taylor and Crowe set about looking for alternative methods for delivering the Firefighter 1 program to their members that would lead to recognized certification. A discussion about their plight with Martin Hassett, Director of the EMTCNNY, set the wheels in motion. Mr. Hassett made contact with the Onondaga Community College Public Safety Training Center and assisted Chiefs Taylor and Crowe in setting up testing through OCC for Firefighter 1 National Certification. The West Potsdam Fire Department also needed to send several members through the training and joined in the training program.
Chief Taylor, Assistant Chief Crowe, and West Potsdam Past Chief Robert Pierce comprise the instructional staff with additional assistance coming from members of the three departments. The classes are held at both the Canton and Potsdam Fire Departments, thus utilizing the many and varied training opportunities both facilities provide. The program began on January 24th and will culminate on May 11th with the administration of the Practical Skills portion of the National Certification Exam.
Potsdam FF Rich Fredricks and Jerrid Lavoie get dressed to practice donning and doffing SCBA.
Canton FF Tyler Drake checks the seal on his facepiece while Instructor Robert Pierce looks on.
West Potsdam FF Corey Dashno, Potsdam FF Danielle Rose, and West Potsdam RAM Andrew Miller practice donning and doffing their SCBA.
Canton FF Tim Gavin, Ryan Perruccio, and Shawn McGregor drill with their SCBA.
West Potsdam RAM Andrew Miller takes a break during the donning and doffing exersizes.
