MFRI Bulletin

Bulletin for May/June 2002

MFRI's Headquarters Grand Opening Attendees See a Bright Future

MFRI faculty and staff ready and waiting for guests to arrive and help celebrate the grand opening of the new MFRI Headquarters.

The grand opening of the new MFRI Headquarters, held on April 19, 2002, was by all accounts a grand success. We were delighted that such a large number of dignitaries, long-time colleagues, and Institute friends took the time to share the important day. Everyone was invited on a personal tour as “part-owners” of a facility that belongs to all of Maryland’s fire and rescue service providers. Tours wound through two levels of office and conference areas, classrooms, various training support areas, and a 100-seat multi-media auditorium. Unlike our previous headquarters facility, there is so much available within the new facility that specially prepared maps were provided to help visitors track their positions as they completed their tours.

The warm and humid afternoon led to a brief storm that passed over quickly as the tours continued and refreshments were served. But the sun was shinning brightly in time to move outdoors where everyone gathered by the facility’s new front entrance.

MFRI Director Steven Edwards gave a warm welcome then spoke of the variety of trials and tribulations that are an indelible part of our transition. “Opening the new facility took more than just constructing a new building. Years of records, training materials, computer and office equipment, and a multitude of little things had to be replaced after everything was lost in the tornado that destroyed our temporary facility last September. All faculty, staff, and field instructors pulled together and went beyond the call of duty to make the relatively smooth transition into the new facility. Still, the support from people and organizations from all over Maryland, and beyond, was what helped get us through.”

Governor Parris N. Glendening praised the faculty and staff of the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute for showing courage, teamwork, and professionalism in the face of diversity.

Next, the assembled crowd listened as Governor Parris Glendening spoke of the grief associated with the loss of MFRI Assistant Director Pat Marlatt’s two daughters in the tornado. But he also spoke of MFRI’s incredible response and recovery effort and the courage, teamwork, and professionalism that he witnessed in the months that followed.

University of Maryland President Dr. C.D. Mote, Jr. applauds the determination and fortitude behind the opening of MFRI’s new headquarters facility.

University of Maryland President Dr. C.D. Mote, Jr. also spoke before the group. He stressed how impressed he’s been with the consistently high quality work conducted at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute. “Especially noteworthy,” said Mote, “is that MFRI never faltered, even during the rushed transition period from Berwyn Heights, to the temporary building, and then finally to this magnificent headquarters facility.”

MSFA President Jenks Mattingly, the final speaker, praised MFRI for the high quality of training that MFRI provides to Maryland’s fire and rescue personnel. “I know that MFRI’s training will only get better through the use of this new state-of-the art facility,” Mattingly said. “Recent events have made the bond between MSFA and MFRI stronger and more important than ever.”

As the festivity neared its end, Director Edwards thanked the speakers and all the special guests who came to celebrate the grand opening for continuing to support MFRI through each challenge and success. He concluded by stressing, “The new facility is here for only one purpose, to proudly serve Maryland’s fire and rescue service providers.” With that, it was on to the traditional ribbon cutting ceremony featuring the use of a firefighter’s ax. With one swing of the ax a new and improved Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute was officially ready to continue its mission of providing the best training available anywhere in the country.

Although the official grand opening celebration is behind us, MFRI faculty and staff still look forward to welcoming visitors. Remember, the doors are always open. Please feel free to visit at any time.

Maryland State Delegate Pauline Menes, MFRI Director Steven Edwards, University of Maryland President Dan Mote, Governor Parris Glendening, nd Maryland State Senator Arthur Dorman pose for a picture with the firefighter’s ax used in the traditional ribbon cutting ceremony (left to right).

MFRI Directors John Hoglund (1970 to 1992), Joseph Bachtler (1968 to 1970) and Steven Edwards (1993 to present) appreciate the ability to offer training to Maryland’s emergency service personnel in the new state-of-the-art headquarters facility.

Photos by April Walker

I would like to extend my personal thanks to everyone who attended the grand opening of the MFRI Headquarters on April 19, 2002. A great crowd of MFRI supporters and dignitaries were present for this milestone in the history of the Institute. Governor Parris Glendening and University President Dan Mote were both impressed with the facilities and were very complimentary of the mission and work of the MFRI faculty, staff, and field instructors. They know that the training and education of the state’s fire and EMS providers are in good hands. We are all very thankful of their support in making MFRI training center building projects and improvements a priority.

Completing the new MFRI Headquarters has been a long and at times very difficult journey. Everyone at MFRI worked hard and sacrificed so that this project could move along quickly while still being done right. MFRI faculty, staff, and field instructors are committed to excellence and can always be depended upon to achieve what others only talk about achieving. The bottom line regarding the new facility is not that it is better for us, but that it is better for our students. The students we train are the future of the fire, rescue, and EMS service and they must be totally prepared for their awesome responsibilities. That is why we are here, and that is why we are excited about the capabilities created by the improved learning environment.

The MFRI Southern Maryland Regional Training Center located in LaPlata was not damaged in the recent F-4 class tornado that struck that area. We have already suffered enough due to tornados and can readily sympathize with those in Southern Maryland who were affected by this event. I was very impressed with the response to the incident by the emergency service personnel of Southern Maryland. It was professional and well organized, given the magnitude of the circumstances. It is obvious that the training and many hours spent in class have paid off leading to an effective response to the devastation there.

If you attend this year’s Maryland State Firemen’s Association (MSFA) convention in Ocean City, please stop by the MFRI booth on the lower level of the Convention Center. Congratulations are due to MSFA President Jenks Mattingly for a very successful year. He has been a very strong supporter of fire/rescue training throughout the year and a good friend of the Institute. I look forward to working with the newly elected MSFA officers in the coming year.

Steven T. Edwards, Director
sedwards@mfri.org

A Tribute to MSFA President Charles “Jenks” Mattingly

By April Walker

MSFA President Charles “Jenks” Mattingly

Jenks Mattingly, like many outstanding fire service leaders, credits his father with introducing him to his love of the fire rescue service. Jenks’s father was a member of the Charles County Rescue Squad. This sparked a volunteer spirit that has stayed with Jenks throughout 42 years of special achievements and dedicated service to both his community and the state of Maryland.

Jenks Mattingly joined the Seventh District Volunteer Fire Department in 1961 when he was 16 years old. He joined his present department, the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department, in 1966. Eventually he served as chief of the department after working his way through the ranks. He has also served in numerous administrative positions, including board member and president. Jenks is a career firefighter with the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. He has 32 years of government experience, 25 of which are fire service related. Currently assigned to the Fire Prevention Division, he stays busy conducting inspections and investigations.

Never a man to do anything half way, Jenks took on the challenging job of representing the interests of Maryland’s volunteer fire, rescue, and emergency medical services with zeal. He developed an extensive ten-point plan to carry out during his three-year state leadership effort that culminated as MSFA president. While the majority of these goals have been achieved, plans are in place for some points to continue being addressed by the incoming MSFA president.

Jenks’s year as President has been riddled with the unexpected. For all his planning, Jenks never in a million years expected to have such an eventful year. When he took office last June it was beyond his imagination that less than three months later there would be historically violent terrorist attacks at the Pentagon and World Trade Center Towers. Then, less than two weeks after that, an unbelievable F-4 tornado destroyed MFRI’s temporary headquarters facility.

Jenks lent his full support to the Institute immediately after the tornado hit and regularly since that fateful day. He has attended both grand openings of MFRI’s new facilities, and presented meaningful gifts to MFRI from MSFA on each occasion. There is now a beautifully framed photograph of the Fallen Firefighter’s Memorial at MFRI’s Upper Eastern Shore Training Center and a MSFA fire mark at the new MFRI Headquarters. Jenks also proudly represented MSFA at the special firefighter training event MFRI held for FEMA Director Joseph Albaugh.

Jenks was more than ready for things to settle down when another deadly and destructive F-4 tornado hit LaPlata causing unbelievable destruction. Through it all, Jenks credits his wife, Cathy, for always supporting him 110%. They will happily celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary at the MSFA Convention on June 18th. He’s also thankful for the love and support from his son, CJ, who is a volunteer at Hollywood VFD, his daughters Kimberly and Bonnie Sue, and his grandson, Stephen. Hollywood VFD and Ladies Auxiliary, and the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association and Ladies Auxiliary have also been tremendously supportive.

A special highlight of Jenks’s presidency is his organization of a widows and orphans fund for the families of volunteer firefighters that were killed in the line of duty during the World Trade Center terrorist attack. Over two hundred thousand dollars will be presented to a New York volunteer firefighter representative at the MSFA Convention in Ocean City.

MSFA President Jenks Mattingly (left) presents a MSFA fire mark to University of Maryland President Dan Mote (right) and MFRI Director Steven Edwards (center) during MFRI’s recent grand opening celebration.

Photos by April Walker

MFRI Launches New Era in Rescue Training for the Maryland Fire Service

by Robert J. Schappert III

Cadets learn that correct use of ropes and knots is essential to proper patient packaging in rescue incidents.

To be highly effective in our work, emergency services providers need to continually train to improve our skills. With each call, there is potential for encountering an incident that requires a new approach or technical ability. Technical rescue is one specialized area of operations that is both highly challenging and rewarding. However, teamwork, problem solving, and proper training are essential. To meet current technical rescue standards, MFRI is in the process of revising its Rescue Technician Program. The revised program is designed to meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1006, Standard for Rescue Technician Professional Qualifications (2000 edition) and NFPA 1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Rescue Incidents (1999 edition).

The new Rescue Technician Program will include a variety of courses that meet the requirements found in various segments of the standards. Course one, Rescue Technician: Site Operations and Vehicle and Machinery Rescue, addresses chapters three and six of the NFPA 1006 standard and the Awareness level of each of the chapters of the NFPA 1670 standard.

High school students enrolled in Anne Arundel County Fire Department’s fire cadet program are piloting the new curriculum.

Recently, course one was successfully piloted by two groups of students in Anne Arundel County. Over the summer the Institute Development Section will make adjustments based on the feedback from these pilots in order to ensure its availability for offering across the state in the fall. Whether or not fire and rescue personnel plan to join a technical rescue team, this course is extremely helpful for developing a good understanding of the rescue field and the correct use of rescue equipment.

Other courses in the Rescue Technician Program include technical rope rescue, swift water rescue, confined space rescue, trench rescue, and structural collapse rescue. These courses are being piloted for delivery in 2003. Each course provides specialized training in the latest innovative techniques as accepted through national standards.

At the present time prerequisites and certification requirements for these courses are being determined. Interested fire and rescue personnel will receive information on upcoming courses through their regional office.

Anne Arundel County firefighter, and MFRI instructor, Fred Holm demonstrates the transfer of an anchored Stokes basket from the fourth floor window of the burn building to the aerial platform.

The evening class of fire, rescue, and EMS personnel practice tying a variety of rescue knots and hitches essential to rescue operations.

MFRI instructor Ernie Little leads a group demonstration of the Prusik knot/hitch used for belay systems, ascending, and as a progress capture device.

Students construct an anchoring system by choosing suitable anchor points and using hose to protect the rigging from grease, oil, or sharp edges.

Photos by April Walker

MFRI Calendar of Events

JULY

16-18 Driver Operator Series – (NFPA 1002)
Fire Apparatus Driver Operator/Aerial
MFRI-HQ, College Park, MD

22-25 Driver Operator Series – (NFPA 1002)
Fire Apparatus Driver Operator/Pump
MFRI-HQ, College Park, MD

AUGUST

14-15 Introduction to Fall Protection
MFRI-NERTC, Aberdeen, MD

For further information or to register contact MFRI at 1-800-ASK-MFRI or 301.226.9900

MFRI’s Faculty and Staff - Working for You at the MSFA Convention

Each year, the Maryland State Firemen’s Association Convention allows us to meet with fire and rescue personnel from across the state and offer our services to a large number of people who may not be able to come to MFRI Headquarters in College Park. MFRI is proud to play an active role in the development and delivery of the education and training seminars offered at the MSFA Convention. This year there will be many great programs to choose from. Make time in your schedule to attend at least one. MFRI instructors who need professional development credits should consider the following offerings:

• Practicing and Teaching Ethics in the Classroom
• Teaching Students to Study and Prepare for Tests
• Teaching Students to Take Responsibility for Their Learning

MICRB Level II instructors interested in becoming instructor evaluators, or evaluators who would like a review should attend Conducting Peer Evaluations. A MFRI Special Programs Section instructor will conduct another offering, Looking at the Big Picture, Truck Company Operations. All these programs are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday afternoons. Check your convention booklet for times and locations.

As usual, MFRI’s exhibit booth will be a center of activity. Over a dozen MFRI employees will be on hand throughout the convention to assist visitors. You can shop for MFRI clothing, rockers, and patches, or receive information about purchasing IFSTA and MFRI books, manuals, and videos. Student transcripts and certifications will also be processed upon request. Everyone is welcome to come by, say hello, ask questions, and discuss what’s new at MFRI.

President Bush Key Note Speaker at National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner

President George W. Bush received several standing ovations as he spoke at length to a packed ballroom at the 14th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner for the Congressional Fire Services Institute. His speech focused on events that have taken place since the 9-11 terrorist attacks, and the bravery and sacrifices made by the fire and rescue services, "Yours is one of the highest callings in our country, and one of the hardest. Your neighborhoods depend on you, and so does your country. And you've never let us down."

Later, Maryland Congressman Steny Hoyer spoke powerfully, "Heroes of America, Heroes of America, we all thank you. We cannot thank you enough. There are no words eloquent enough to thank you for protecting our nation. But we offer our prayers for your health, for your safety and for your families."

Photos by April Walker

Copyright © 2001 Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, All rights reserved.