2023 ANNUAL REPORT-FINAL

56

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Training Office (continued)

Firefighting water is provided from a two-acre pond. All water used on site for firefighting activities is supplied from this ecologically friendly pond. Fire hydrants used for training activities are supplied from the pond, and all water used for training purposes is re-circulated on the property. The pond serves as a renewable resource and is a thriving ecological part of the storm-water-management system for the campus. A maze building is used to train firefighters to find their way around and through obstructions similar to what firefighters may encounter in different structures, all while in total darkness. The primary purpose of this building is to strengthen the fire fighter’s ability to work in dark and unfamiliar surroundings while building confidence in the use of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Multiple configurations with varying levels of difficulty can be obtained by opening or securing different doors. There are two hydraulic floor collapse props incorporated into the maze that allow for realistic, safe “lean to” and “pancake” style collapses. The maze is equipped with monitoring areas for instructors to oversee student progress and emergency egress points in the event of an emergency. It is also climate-controlled allowing year- round usage that is in compliance with the division’s environmental safety procedures. In the latter part of 2023, the gear storage area of the maze was reconfigured to provide additional gear storage space for the divisions fire and rescue instructors.

A roof prop built and maintained by DFRS personnel affords personnel realistic vertical ventilation training in a low-risk environment. This prop has three different style roof pitches for personnel to train in the use of hand tools and powered saw.

In 2023, the DFRS Training Section graduated three recruit classes with 75 recruits and a Paramedic Class with 11 Paramedics. In-Service training was also provided to all our uniformed personnel which included these task specific training activities: hands on rapid intervention refresher, firefighter down CPR, and Structural Firefighting and Incident Command policy update. Training Staff also assisted the Gear-Up Program with delivery of entry level training for more than 200 volunteers. In addition to this, the Training Section provided Stop the Bleed and CPR instruction in support of the divisions Community Outreach Programs.