Volunteer Firefighters Finalize Professional Development Trainings

Eight (8) volunteer firefighters from the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company pursued the conclusion of their respective Pump Operator Course to enhance their knowledge, skills, and abilities with respect to apparatus pump operations.

This curriculum was coordinated and taught by certified instructors of the Delaware State Fire School (DSFS) within or nearby the immediate fire district. For example, eight (8) volunteer firefighters have registered to pursue a fire school certified Pump Operator Course which consists of a 24 hour course designed to prepare a firefighter to become a pump operator in their respective fire departments.  These classes were held every Tuesday and Thursday evening for three weeks at the Millsboro Volunteer Fire Company and one full day on a Saturday in November.

This final Saturday evolved around hands-on experience for drafting operations to fine tune procedures to provide water supply from a static source to support required minimum flow of water resources at the scene of a fire.  It is understood that water supply is a tactical operation for suppression and not a support operation.  In non-hydrant areas, drafting operations may be needed to help deliver that water supply. Drafting operations may be used at the fireground, in conjunction with a relay operation, or during tanker shuttle operations, etc.  This training was coordinated at Cupola Park and Millsboro Middle School in the town limits of Millsboro.

Overall, these training events have been extremely beneficial to the volunteer firefighters that have participated.

The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company wishes to acknowledge the participation of all volunteers as well as thanking the Delaware State Fire School for having such opportunities available.

Illustrated herewith are some photographs of these activities.