Training to train: Area firefighters participate in Instructor II course

Last Updated on June 30, 2024 by Cass County Emergency Management Agency

For the last month firefighters from multiple area fire departments have participated in the Instructor II Course conducted by the Cass County Emergency Management Agency. As part of this program instructor candidates facilitated their own training program, which they developed, for other local firefighters to participate in.

Despite the rain earlier in the morning, Saturday turned out to be a great day for training. Skill stations developed by the instructor candidates included Rapid Intervention Teams (rescue of downed firefighters), converting windows to doorways for emergency access, Vent Enter Isolate Search training to search for fire victims and hose line advancement. “Trainees” from multiple community fire departments came to be students for the aspiring instructors.

Instructor II is a more advanced course for fire instructors, and prepares candidates to develop their own lesson plans and training programs and also to supervise other instructors and “high hazard” training evolutions such as live fire, HAZMAT, or technical rescue. Over the month of the course participants developed multiple teaching aids and instruction plans, and also gained insight into evaluating training programs for effectiveness and financial viability. A big part of the program is also planning and managing more complex training operations such as the one Saturday with multiple crews working on multiple skills scattered around the fixed site. Life safety of participants and the event staff are a top priority.

Adding more Level II Fire instructors to the community aids in making more traditional fire training programs available, as well as more advanced programs for experienced emergency personnel.

Participants in the course came from Cass County Emergency Management Agency, Logansport Fire Department, New Waverly Fire Department, Walton Community Fire Department, Galveston Fire Department, Peru Fire Department and Kokomo Fire Department.

Onsite support for the practical day was provided by Cass County Emergency Medical Services, Cass County Fire District 1 and Young America Fire Department.

Financial support for this course was provided by Heidelberg Materials.

SOURCE: News release from Cass County Emergency Management Agency