Training
Firefighter training skills are perhaps the most vital link in the overall safety of our personnel and our citizens, as well as effectively reducing fire damage once a fire occurs. Over the years, the City of Wyoming has invested in the best of apparatus, equipment and protective clothing, but it would be worthless if our people did not know how to use them to their maximum potential. Training has always been high on our priority list and will continue to be in the future.
Today's fire problems are constantly changing as technology rapidly advances. The development of electronics, plastics, chemicals, radiological and medical discoveries has added new dimensions to the emergencies facing firefighters of today. Because of the changes, technology has updated the equipment and methods that are used by firefighters. We are meeting this challenge responsibly with new and high technological directions in our training programs.
Training Center
The Department's Training Facility, located at 2300 Gezon Parkway, includes a classroom area, locker rooms and a kitchen, which allows full day training sessions. It also includes a complete driving course used to ensure all of our personnel are proficient in their driving skills without having to 'practice' on actual streets.
On site is also a training building that may be set up to simulate a residential or industrial environment by adjusting movable partitions. This building also contains a 'burn room' which is able to be set on fire using propane gas jets controlled by the instructor.
A tanker fire training unit is also on site, which provides emergency responders with training on handling fires involving over-the-road tanker trucks and rail cars containing flammable liquids. It also provides training for the Hazardous Materials Response Team to practice controlling leaks/spills of hazardous or flammable liquids.
This Training Center has enhanced our training programs by allowing more realistic training, while providing a more controlled and safer environment. Our Training Facility is used by our personnel along with numerous other area Fire Departments, including departments from as far away as Kalamazoo and Lansing. We are proud to have this facility in our City.
All of our personnel also receive training for Incident Management, MIOSHA required subjects and continually attend educational seminars. During 2010, our personnel had a total of over 2,000 hours of training. In addition to attending training, our Department has many of its own certified instructors that routinely provide training to other agencies.
Our Department places a high priority on training and utilizes the nine certified Training Instructors we have on staff. These instructors have expertise in a variety of areas such as Fire Suppression, Hazardous Materials, Technical Rescue and Officer Development. One of these instructors is also certified through the Department of Justice to teach proper handling of terrorist events.
With the growing demand for services by the Fire Department, we are committed to training and realize we must keep our skills updated and sharp so we can continue providing the best fire protection possible for the people we serve.