Support Services
Distinct Safety and Training Categories
Duty and responsibility make EVERY DAY a TRAINING DAY...so that...EVERYONE GOES HOME!
Everyday is a Training Day!
The Safety and Training Division is involved in a host of services designed to make the Department's personnel safer and more efficient. They are outlined as follows:
Research and Development - The Division is responsible for conducting research and the evaluation of new products and available services. These range from new fire apparatus costing up to one-half million dollars, to firefighting equipment costing less than twenty-five dollars. The development of new procedures and techniques is also required to keep the Department on the cutting edge of technology.
Health and Safety - The Division shares responsibilities with every member of the Department to ensure safe working conditions. The Training Chief is the designated Safety Officer. The Division issues and inspects all protective clothing, and is involved in the departmental compliance with a variety of Federal and State standards. Members of the Division are frequently designated as an Incident Safety Officer upon arrival at an emergency scene and are charged with the safety of personnel.
Emergency Management - Upon activation of the City Emergency Operations Center, extreme weather, or a large and complex incident, the Fire and Rescue Department may activate its Sub-Center. It is the responsibility of the Safety and Training Division to staff and coordinate the operation of this Sub-Center.
Apparatus Testing - The Division conducts and/or supervises the annual service testing of all pumping and aerial apparatus. Testing also occurs after any significant repairs have been completed.
Reference and Video Library - The Division maintains, updates, and supplies both stations' and headquarter's libraries. This ever changing inventory is kept up-to-date to provide personnel with the latest information available. Video and editing equipment are maintained in the Division to provide training and evaluation of techniques.
