State Fire Marshal’s Office Hosts the Great Florida Fire School This Week
1/12/2005
CONTACT:
Nina Banister
(850) 413-2842
AVON PARK-If you see hundreds of firefighters putting out a fire this week in this central Florida community, don't panic. Chances are good they started it. And don't bother calling the police, they may be in on it.
Firefighters from throughout Florida will be gathering today through Sunday at the South Florida Community College as part of The Great Florida Fire School. In its eleventh year, the fire school is a traveling training program intended to save firefighters from having to travel to other programs that often can be miles away.
"We bring these professionals the same classroom and practical training that they would get at the Florida State Fire College in Ocala," said Florida's Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Tom Gallagher. "But by bringing the training to a community near them, it saves their departments the expense of travel and lodging and keeps them near the communities that need them."
This year's fire school is being hosted by the Florida State Firefighters' Association, the Florida State Fire Marshal's Office, the, the Florida State Fire College, the South Florida Community College, the Division of Forestry, the Convention & Visitors Bureau of Highlands County, Sun N' Lake of Sebring, Avon Park Chamber of Commerce, and the Highlands County Board of County Commissioners.
Thirty-five instructors along with a host of volunteers will be delivering courses in both structural and wildland firefighting operations, LP gas fires, firefighter safety, extrication, fire investigations, explosive device recognition and safety, emergency response to terrorism, rope rescue, emergency medical services, public education and stress management. More than 40 different courses will be offered.