| On Thursday, July 10th, 2008 while our monthly fire company meeting was taking place, several of our members were being recognized for their recent advancement in fire service training.
Chief McWilliams, Assistant Chief Sly, EMS Lieutenant Swick, Firefighter Swick, EMT Trainor, and EMS Provider Trainor and Ambulance 44 all traveled to the Wagontown Fire Company for the Chester County Department of Emergency Services spring fire training graduation ceremony. The ceremony is a formal event which recognizes firefighters who have recently graduated classes, and allows friends and family the opportunity to attend while firefighters can take pride in their accomplishments.
Several of our members were continuing their education with further certification programs, while one member recently completed his recruit level training.
Firefighter Swick was honored for his recent accomplishments in the entry level Firefighter 1 program, and Chief McWilliams, Assistant Chief Sly, Deputy EMS Chief Biddle, and Firefighter/EMT Grossman were honored for their completion of the National Pumper Driver/Operator program. Unfortunately, due to conflicting schedules, Deputy EMS Chief Biddle and Firefighter/EMT Grossman were unable to attend the ceremonies.
The evening began with an introduction by Chester County Fire Training Coordinator John Weer, followed by the class graduates being led into the facility by the Minquas Fire Company and First West Chester Fire Company color guards and the Chester County Emerald Society's Pipe Band.
A Keynote Address was given by the special guest speaker for the evening, President Glenn Allison of the Chester County Fire Chief's Association.
Each of the graduates were then presented with their certificates by their respective Fire Chiefs or family members.
Lead Instructor John DeMarco gave a response from the Firefighter 1 Instructors standpoint and praised the cadets for their accomplishments.
Firefighter Steve Swick joined the fire company as a Junior Firefighter and upon turning 18 years of age this year, was enrolled in the Firefighter 1 training program. Firefighter 1 class involves the "basics" of firefighting and emergency services. Students begin by learning CPR and general emergency medical care, National Incident Management guidelines, Hazardous Materials Awareness training, an Introduction to Fire Service Training, the Essentials of Firefighting modules, and a Structural Burn Session. This training, which is approximately 140 hours, is completed within 6 weeks by working two nights per week and on weekends. The class culminates with a test for National Firefighter 1 Certification.
Following all of the certificate presentations, the new firefighters were administered the Firefighter Oath.
Firefighter 2 program attendees were then recognized by Lead Instructor John Weer and those cadets were presented their certificates.
Lead Instructor Lonnie Brown then spoke of the students in the Pumper Driver/Operator program. Thorndale Lieutenant D'Amico highlighted several "interesting" moments that occurred throughout the program, during the class response speech. Because the students in this program had already received their certificates in the mail, each cadet was given a hearty handshake by the Instructors.
The Pumper Driver/Operator program is a 47 hour course that teaches firefighters how to safely drive apparatus to the scene of an emergency and how to operate firefighting pumps. Topics covered in this class include: Emergency Vehicle Operations, fire service hydraulics, effective placement of pumping apparatus at fire scenes, basic methods of water movement in rural areas, and maintenance and inspection procedures for apparatus. Much like the Firefighter 1 and 2 programs, individuals are eligible for National Certification as a certified Pumper Driver/Operator from the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications following the completion of this course.
The final note of the evening was a presentation made to Chester County Fire Training Coordinator John Weer for his 15 years of leadership in the fire training program. Chief Weer recently accepted a job with the Chester County Fire Marshals Office. This evening marked an end to his leadership with the fire training division, and he was praised and presented a plaque by his peers. Past Chief Groves of the Po-Mar-Lin Fire Company has recently accepted the job as Chief Weer's replacement.
The Westwood Fire Company proudly remains one of only six fire companies in Chester County whose membership is more than 75% certified to National training levels.
Congratulations to all recent graduates!
Thanks to Amy Amer and http://www.modena37.com for the photos. |
