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July/August 2002
MFRI Bulletin
Bulletin for July/August 2002
Major Renovation of MFRI’s Regional Training Center in Southern Maryland Nears CompletionBy April Walker
For the past two decades Southern Maryland’s fire and rescue personnel have made full use of their regional training center located in LaPlata. Although there are now six regional centers, the Southern Maryland Regional Training Center is special in that it was the first to be constructed. It’s also special because a major upgrade has been needed for quite awhile - and the time has finally come! Preparations are well underway to relocate to a new 4.5 million dollar facility on the same 13-acre site. As many know, the center is currently managed from a small two-story brick building. Less known is that the building once housed a U.S. Army radio monitoring and receiving station. Fire departments in the tri-county area, comprised of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties, have always appreciated having the Southern Maryland Regional Training Center. However, the benefits associated with easy access to high-quality training have become very apparent to area residents in the wake of a deadly and destructive tornado that recently hit the area with a vengeance. Media consistently gave praise to the quality of emergency services provided during the disaster. Credit was given in large part to the excellent training that made it possible for fire and rescue service personnel to work together effectively. Now with modernization the training will only get better. The complex now under construction includes a new administration building that will contain offices, classrooms, and an auditorium. The site also has a new burn building, a large propane storage tank, several outdoor fire training areas, and a storage building. So far, construction is on schedule and progressing smoothly. Luckily, the site experienced no tornado damage.
MFRI Assistant Director Pat Marlatt, Logistics Manager Steve Carter, and Southern Maryland Regional Coordinator George Fairfax each stay in close contact with the project architect and primary contractors. Everyone meets on a bi-weekly basis to keep the project on track. In between meetings, detailed digital photos are transmitted on a regular basis to project team members via the Internet. After building six regional training centers, and then relocating MFRI’s headquarters on short notice through a complicated design/build fast-track process, coming away with a top-of-the-line regional training center in Southern Maryland is almost a sure bet.
Photos by April Walker
A new fiscal year awaits us at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute. It will be a year filled with accomplishment as we continue moving the MFRI program forward through the excellent work of our faculty, staff, and field instructors. Fortunately, we have the resources to continue improving our programs. This is not the case for most agencies in state government, as it’s a very lean year for financial resources. Last year many groups within the Maryland emergency services worked jointly with Maryland’s legislature to gain an increase in the vehicle registration fee allotment that goes into the Emergency Medical Systems Operating Fund (EMSOF). These additional resources make the fund solvent until approximately the year 2018. Because MFRI’s operating budget comes from this fund, we are able to continue to make program improvements needed to meet the requirements of our students. All MFRI field instructors will receive a pay increase effective July 1, 2002. This is well deserved and in recognition of the excellent work that they do on behalf of the Institute and University. Many other exciting things are in the works. We look forward to the grand opening of the renovated Southern Maryland Regional Training Center this fiscal year. This much-improved facility will serve the needs of a rapidly growing section of the state, providing a center with more capabilities and many technological enhancements. Our Advanced Life Support (ALS) program recently took delivery of a Human Patient SimulatorTM. This high-tech device gives ALS students the ability to perform realistic assessments and practice skills in the training and evaluation environments. The flammable liquids prop at MFRI HQ is being replaced with flammable gas. This new prop will be much more environmentally friendly. In addition, a new confined space rescue prop will be in service very soon at MFRI HQ. Our anti-terrorism training effort has received financial support at the state level and we are currently seeking federal resources to supplement this funding. Our goal is to ensure that every fire, rescue, and EMS provider in the state has the training necessary to respond effectively to this serious threat. A new position of Anti-Terrorism Training Coordinator has been appointed within MFRI to lead this effort. In order to have a successful and effective training program it is essential to have adequate resources. Many people and organizations throughout the state work very hard with MFRI to ensure that we have what we need to do our job. You should thank them when you get the opportunity; I certainly do and appreciate everything that we have to work with. Steven T. Edwards, Director
110th Annual Maryland State Firemen’s Association Convention Held in Ocean CityBy S. Rebecca Spicer-Himes
The sun was out in full force on June 15, 2002 as fire and rescue personnel from across Maryland, and beyond, made their yearly quest to Ocean City to participate in the annual Maryland State Firemen’s Association Convention. As always, convention attendees had a wide variety of educational, business, and networking activities to keep them very busy. Most people also took advantage of the good weather, which enabled everyone to get ample “beach time.” Beginning on Sunday and ending on Tuesday afternoon, 29 seminars were held. Topics ranged from emergency medical services to hazardous materials and fireworks safety. This year instructors were able to attend professional development seminars that counted toward their re-certification requirements. The hands-on PowerPoint course drew a large number of students, as did classes in ethics, student learning, and preparing for tests; these three classes presented by full-time MFRI faculty members. The seminars, jointly sponsored by the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute and the Maryland State Firemen’s Association, were the result of one year’s worth of advanced planning. The most populated seminars were the Baltimore Tunnel Fire (78 students), Robert’s Rules of Order (65 students), Attack on the Pentagon (59 students), Chemical Agents (56 students), Recruitment and Retention (43 students), Truck Company Operations (38 students), and Trends in Trauma (41 students). Pinoake Browning, faculty member from the North Central Regional Office, did an outstanding job of ensuring that quality workshops were selected, equipment was provided, and logistics were handled. MFRI and the MSFA welcome any ideas for seminars for next year. As in years past, all convention attendees also had the opportunity to visit two large exhibition halls, the vestibule, and outside areas, which were filled with fire and rescue memorabilia, all types of apparatus and fire and rescue equipment, a vast array of t-shirts, and many informative displays. At the MFRI booth, there was a constant line of people - receiving copies of their transcripts (601), getting on-the-spot certifications for state and national professional qualifications (190), looking at course materials and books, and purchasing newly designed MFRI patches and clothing items. On Tuesday, “Firefighter Combat Challenge” drew a large crowd as fit Maryland firefighters competed against each other in various timed evolutions. Wearing "full bunker gear" and the SCOTT Air+Pak breathing apparatus, pairs of competitors simulate the physical demands of real-life firefighting by performing a linked series of five tasks including climbing the five-story tower, hoisting, chopping, dragging hoses and rescuing a life sized, 175-pound "victim" as they race against themselves, their opponent, and the clock. Encouragement and cheers from the announcer and all the people watching provided the backdrop for the exciting event. Other activities during the week that attracted large crowds were the family picnic, pajama parade, honor guard competition, fire prevention queen contest, and the yearly convention parade. MFRI Director Steve Edwards was pleased with the successful convention. “We take pleasure in coming to the Maryland State Firemen’s Association Convention each year and meeting with fire and rescue personnel from across the state. It enables us to offer our services to a large number of people who are not always able to come to our headquarters in College Park. We also enjoy working with the convention and program committees to offer a wide variety of seminars at the convention.” The culmination of the week was the ceremony that transferred the presidency, and all the hard work that goes with it, from President Charles “Jenks” Mattingly III, Southern Maryland to Gene Worthington, Harford County. The Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute looks forward to working with Gene in the coming year for the betterment of the fire and rescue service, and also looks forward to seeing everyone again next year at another successful convention.
Photos by Evelyn Graf
2002 National Fire Service Staff and Command Participants Develop Technical Skills and Professional Knowledgeby Kingsley Poole
The National Fire Service Staff and Command course is a high-intensity, concentrated program that involves chief officers in a variety of command-level peer group activities. Participation in the interactive exercises affords them the opportunity to network as they share ideas and experiences. The programs assist emergency service officers in modern concepts of emergency management by developing technical skills and professional knowledge. Topics at this year’s program included response to the World Trade Center disaster from a chief who responded from the New York State Office of Emergency Management, Transformational Leadership, Professional Ethics, System Performance and Management, Interfacing with Elected Officials, Disciplinary Action and Grievance Management, Thinking Like a Terrorist, Managing Conflict in an Increasingly Complex Workplace, and Recognizing the Signs of Stress. Chief Abraira gave students a personal tour of the Dallas Fire Department’s huge Training Center and Maintenance Division. Several of the class members remarked jokingly that Dallas has more reserve apparatus than their respective departments have in front line service. Attendees were also treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the FETN studios in Carrollton, Texas led by its President, Chief Ron Coleman, as well as an opportunity to soak up some of the local color at Fort Worth’s Billy Bob’s where they enjoyed a barbeque and watched cowboys riding bucking broncos. On the eve of the final day, students and faculty gathered for a banquet at the top of the high-rise hotel overlooking the City of Dallas. Chief Abraira spoke to the group and FETN’s Director of Training Randy Corbin presented a motivational keynote address. The MFRI staff was very surprised and deeply touched when a class spokesperson presented a beautiful plaque and a substantial donation to the Colleen and Erin Marlatt Memorial Scholarship Fund. (Colleen and Erin, daughters of MFRI Assistant Director Pat Marlatt, died in the tornado that destroyed MFRI offices on September 24, 2001.) The class also intends to send a representative to future Staff and Command courses to challenge attendees to the follow suit. The management staff of the Adam’s Mark Hotel donated the plaque. Students gave the program and the hotel high marks. Stated one attendee, “This is a great program, and I’m glad to have had the chance to attend. The presentations were excellent and the speakers knowledgeable. This was an outstanding opportunity to network and establish new and lasting friendships.” The week-long program wrapped up on Wednesday, May 8th. It was a privilege to have Tom Wilson assist me with program coordination. Prior to retirement, Tom was the MFRI liaison for many of the past National Fire Service Staff and Command Courses. I remember attending this program as a student in 1985. Tom made the facilitation look easy. The program would not have gone as smoothly without Tom. My thanks as well to Dennis Wenner, MFRI Field Instructor, who split his time between handling many of the logistical details and attending the course as a student. Karen Haje, MFRI Coordinator of Special Projects, is a lady who has worked behind the scenes on this program for quite a number of years. It’s thanks to her that nothing is forgotten and everything goes off without a hitch. The next National Fire Service Staff and Command Course will be held in Ocean City, Maryland
from March 12th to 19th, 2003. Photos by Mario Davila
MFRI’s Advanced Life Support Program Flourishes As Year Four Beginsby Angela Bennett This fall marks the fourth year that Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute is offering advanced life support training programs. From humble beginnings in 1999, with two programs and 55 students, the program is now flourishing. Growth has been phenomenal with 39 programs conducted in 2002 that served 1,118 students. Student program hours per year have seen a corresponding jump from 484 hours to 28,524 hours. At present, ALS programs are serving providers in virtually every jurisdiction in Maryland. New Paramedic CurriculumIn light of the newly enhanced paramedic curriculum, a mechanism is now in place to update existing Maryland paramedics trained under the 1985 EMTP curriculum to the National Standard Curriculum. Maintaining the existing continuing education framework, the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute developed the Paramedic Update and Refresher Course based on guidelines established by a Paramedic Update Task Force. The NREMT refresher requirements have been simplified, yet broadened, to enable EMS educational programs to focus course content to meet local needs. The 40-hour program is being utilized for at least two full licensure/registration cycles. All existing paramedics will have an opportunity to receive updated cognitive, affective, and psychomotor training. ALS Program Gains a Specially Instrumented MannequinMFRI’s new Human Patient SimulatorTM is actually much more than a mannequin. So much so that it has been given the name, Terry Pinn (named after University of Maryland’s mascot). Terry is the first of two Emergency Care Simulators (ECS) that will be used in the Paramedic Update and Refresher Course. Developed by Medical Education Technologies, Inc., the ECS is a computer controlled life-size teaching tool that breathes, has pulses, and models various physiology and pharmacology accurately representing human responses. The ability to exhibit symptoms and react to medicines and interventions like an actual person provides a learning experience that is totally safe, without risk to a real patient. Terry Pinn is being incorporated into the existing MFRI ALS continuing education programs beginning in September 2002. In addition, it will be available for jurisdictional proficiency evaluations and terminal competency evaluations for initial training programs throughout the State. Additional Upcoming ALS CoursesSeveral additional courses will be held in upcoming semesters through MFRI’s Advanced Life Support Program. Beginning in November 2002, Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute will offer Pediatric Education for Pre-hospital Providers (PEPP). This 16-hour course will be offered in cooperation with local jurisdictions to aid advanced life support providers in meeting the pediatric requirements of the new national registry re-registration guidelines. MFRI will also offer two CRT Update Courses this winter in Washington and Calvert Counties. Those interested in utilizing the ECS technology, or in any other advanced life support program, should contact me at abennett@mfri.org or 800-ASK-MFRI.
Photos by April Walker
Design, Construction, Repair, and Renovation Addressed at MFRI’s Annual Burn Building Symposiumby Kingsley Poole MFRI recently hosted its biggest crowd ever when eighty-one people traveled to Memphis, Tennessee to attend the Burn Building Design and Construction Symposium. Currently in its tenth year, and presented in cooperation with Symtron, Inc. and Werner-Herbison-Padgett, this program has experienced a major rise in attendance as its value has become increasingly well-known throughout the country. Safety and environmental concerns are making burn buildings more and more preferable to acquired structures for firefighter training purposes. Obtaining needed funding for live-fire training projects requires doing the legwork necessary to fully understand both initial construction costs and long-term expenses. In addition, people responsible for training centers with existing burn buildings need information on preventive maintenance, upkeep, and periodic renovations. A wide variety of professionals attend the symposium each year. Architects, builders, public works personnel, fire department officials, and representatives from manufacturers of burn buildings and props all come together for a high-intensity exchange of the newest information. This year’s attendees came from all corners of the United States including, Washington State, California, Massachusetts, and Florida. While burn building design and construction is the basis of the symposium, managing training centers, and lessons learned by those who have “been there and done that” are equally important topics covered during the intensive two-day program. Leonard Enz, an architect from Chicago, Illinois; Mike Wieder, managing editor of Fire Protection Publications; Paul Edmeades, an architect from Bel Air, Maryland; and Director Rick Mason, from the New Hampshire Fire Academy provided instruction aimed at assuring that each attendee left with in-depth knowledge of what it takes to have a first-class training facility. MFRI Assistant Director Pat Marlatt spoke to the group about how building code requirements and applicable standards impact a project. Logistical Support Section Manager Steve Carter presented lessons he’s learned while managing MFRI’s six live-burn training centers. The program also included information about high-temperature building liners, temperature monitoring systems, forced entry simulators, durable doors and windows, and proper ventilation and drainage. Fun was part of the equation as attendees were treated to a reception and tour held at the historical Memphis Fire Museum, and a delicious barbeque and tour at the Memphis Fire Department’s newly dedicated state-of-the-art training center.
MFRI Calendar of Events
For further information or to register contact MFRI at 1-800-ASK-MFRI or 301.226.9900 Paramedic Update and Refresher Courses
For more information email Angie Bennett at abennett@mfri.org
A Busy Summer Includes HazMat Technician Training for D.C. FirefightersMFRI Headquarters heats up every summer with a busy schedule jam-packed with classes. Washington D.C. firefighters attended a successful HazMat Tech class that included a variety of practical exercises. Participants utilized a hazardous gas leak simulator (left) and practiced proper decontamination after an incident (right). The class was coordinated through MFRI’s Special Programs Section.
Photos by April Walker |
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Copyright © 2001 Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, All rights reserved. |
