The Algood Fire Department is currently providing basic firefighter training to firefighters throughout the region.
Algood Fire Training Captain Ian Pass said the 64-hour class covers things like firefighter health and safety, forcible entry, and the use of firefighting equipment. Pass said Algood put on the class after a discussion with the Sparta Fire Department.
“They had a couple of guys that were needing the basic class to go on to get further certifications, which is just bettering their careers,” Pass said. “Even as volunteers, the more you can learn and the more that you can get certified, the better it ends up being.”
Pass said firefighters from Algood, Hardy’s Chapel, and Sparta fire departments will be finishing the class over the next few weeks. Pass said after completing the class, the firefighter will be eligible for an important firefighting training called the Live Burn I.
“They will practice search and rescue, they will practice hauling hoses, and spraying water, they will sit in a hot box and experience temperatures, they will look at how the fire behavior is going on in that burn box, and be able to cover all the details that they looked at in class, they can actually put to hands-on training,” Pass said.
Pass said it is imperative to train local firefighters to the best of their ability.
“We encourage them to don’t just stop when you get the Live Burn I,” Pass said. “Yes, that’s the state minimum, but we encourage them to push themselves and get more.”
Pass said basic firefighter training courses are offered all the time throughout fire departments in the Upper Cumberland. Pass said it is important to offer these classes to the firefighters in the region.
“It’s not just a partnership, you know, in our own county, but we are also reaching out to neighboring counties, so you know, cause we have what we call mutual aid agreements. So if you know, we get shorthanded somewhere, we can reach out to these other agencies and call in resources.”
Pass said the Algood Fire Department tries to offer a basic firefighter training class at least once a year. Pass said the Putnam County Fire Department will also be offering a basic firefighter training class in November.
