Changes at the State Fire Academy: The State Fire Academy is always striving to continuously improve their training product. As such, there are three changes you will notice on the schedule: EVOT Emergency Vehicle Operations Training (Formerly EVDT and EVOC), this course has been modified by VFIS to include up to date training and cover law changes. Hazmat classes Formerly the curriculum was by Delmar, however now the curriculum is through Jones and Bartlett. Notable differences are more options for refreshers, and Awareness is no longer a pre-requisite to take Operations. Vehicle Rescue The joint training through the State Fire Academy and the PA Department of health has been updated. Basic Vehicle Rescue Awareness, Operations and Technician have been combined into two classes. Basic Vehicle Rescue Awareness (NVRA) now comprises what was formerly Awareness and Operations. Basic Vehicle Rescue Operations (NVRO) will cover the information previously available through the Technician class. Candidates will be able to test at the completion of NVRO to become a Basic Vehicle Rescue Technician through the PA Department of Health. Basic Vehicle Rescue Technician (NVRT) is still under development. Spring 2017 Schedule January 2017 9-Apparatus Preventative Maintenance* 10-Fire Officer I* 10-Introduction to the Fire Service 18-Hazmat Awareness* 20-Hazmat Awareness Cert. 23-Farm and Barn Fire Fighting 24-Fire Ground Support 30-Hazmat Operations* February 2017 10-Elevator Rescue 13-Hazmat Operations Refresher 13-Water Rescue Awareness 14-Exterior Firefighter 17-Forcible Entry Operations 22-Firefighter I Preparation* March 2017 6-Hazmat Operations Refresher 9-Interior Firefighter 11-Hazmat Operations Cert. 20-Hazmat Operations Refresher 25-Rescue Technician General Requirements Cert. 28-Hazmat Technician* April 2017 3-Truck Company Operations May 2017 4-Basic Vehicle Rescue Awareness* 7-Firefighter I Cert. 17-Structural Burn Session 24-Arson Detection for the First Responder 25-Basic Vehicle Rescue Operations* 5-Hazmat Technician Cert. 8-High Angle Rope Rescue I* 9-Engine Company Operations 13 Trench Rescue* 15-Emergency Vehicle Operation Training 16-Hazmat Operations Refresher 22-High Angle Rope Rescue II*
Apparatus Apparatus Preventative Maintenance* PPRX 0050-79 Through lecture and practical exercises, this course will provide insight into the need for an apparatus preventative maintenance program from an operational, financial and legal perspective. The course contains a review of recommended maintenance practices for both chassis components and all fire service related components such as pumps, aerials and hydraulic powered equipment. A proper visual inspection of chassis and related components of vehicles will be demonstrated and practiced. Students must provide; a notebook and pen/pencil, work gloves and steel toed shoes. Min. age, 18 JAN 9, 11 6:30PM-10:30PM JAN 14 8:00AM-4:30PM Emergency Vehicle Operations Training (EVOT) PPRX 1752-79 A large number of emergency service personnel and civilians are injured and killed each year as a result of inappropriately driven emergency vehicles. Participants in this course will have the opportunity to gain and/or verify a broad range of competencies associated with the emergency vehicle driving. These competencies include basic understanding of emergency vehicle operations as well as the skills necessary for practical and safe application of driving on a competency course. Students must provide; a notebook and pen/pencil. Min. age, 18 Tuition $55.00 + $12.00 Material Fee MAY 15, 17 6:30PM-10:30PM MAY 20 8:00AM-4:30PM Command Fire Officer I* PPRX 0880-79 The purpose of this program is to identify emergency service personnel who demonstrate knowledge and skills competency related to fire officership. The NFPA Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications identifies the minimum requirements for a person at the first level of progression. A person certified at the Fire Officer I level will have demonstrated the ability to perform the tasks at the supervisory level. Price includes certification costs. Students must provide; a notebook and pen/pencil. Min. age 18. Prerequisite: FF II, FSI I Tuition $150.00 JAN 10, 17, 24 6:30PM-10:30PM JAN 29 8:00AM-4:30PM FEB 7, 14, 21, 22 6:30PM-10:30PM FEB 19 8:00AM-4:30PM
Fire Suppression Arson Detection for First Responders (ADFR) PPRX 0100-79 Upon successful completion the student will be able to provide a clear definition of the role of initial responder organizations and to provide essential knowledge to enable them to recognize the potential of an intentionally set fire, preserve evidence, and properly report the information to appropriate officials. Students must provide; a notebook and pen/pencil. Prerequisite: ELIF or EBM or FF I Min. age, 18 APR 24, 26 6:30PM-10:30PM MAY 1, 3 6:30PM-10:30PM Engine Company Operations (ECOP) PPRX 1756-79 A discussion of fire behavior and spread in structures, methods of calculating needed fire flow and organizing and equipping engine company is followed by a series of "hands on" drills involving various engine company evolutions. Students must provide; turnout gear, a notebook and pen/pencil. Prerequisite: ELIF or EBM or FF I Min. age, 18 Tuition $55.00 MAY 9, 11 6:30PM-10:30PM MAY 13 8:00AM-4:30PM Farm and Barn Fire Fighting (FAFI) PPRX 1354-79 This course is designed to deal with fires in barns and other farm structures. Topics include water supply, safety, and command. The priority system governing fire attack is also discussed. Students must provide; a notebook and pen/pencil, work gloves and steel toed shoes. Prerequisite: ELIF or EBM or FF I. Min. Age, 18. JAN 23, 25 6:30PM-10:30PM JAN 28 8:00AM-4:30PM Firefighter I Preparation* PPRX 2170-79 Upon completion of this course, students will be better prepared to participate successfully in the FFPA Fire Fighter I Certification Testing Process and to perform more effectively as a fire fighter on the fire grounds. Students must provide; turnout gear, a notebook and pen/pencil. Min. age, 18. Prerequisite: ELIF or EBM or FF I. Tuition $60.00 FEB 22, 27 6:30PM-10:30PM MAR 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 6:30PM-10:30PM APR 5 6:30PM-10:30PM
Forcible Entry (TFE) PPRX 2555-79 This course will provide the fire fighter with a better understanding of building construction as applies to forcible entry. Also covered will be opening techniques and the use of tools for safe, quick access to a structure. Students must provide; a notebook and pen/pencil, work gloves and steel toed shoes. Prerequisite: ELIF or EBM or FF I. + Lab Fee$10.00 FEB 17, 24 6:30PM-10:30PM MAR 3, 10 6:30PM-10:30PM Structural Burn Session (SBS) PPRX 7703-79 This course will provide the student with a review and application of the techniques used in safe firefighting practices in an actual fire environment. Emphasis is placed on safety for both interior and exterior operations. Students must provide; turnout gear, a notebook and pen/pencil. Min. age, 18. Prerequisite: ELIF or EBM or FF I. Tuition $65.00+Lab Fee$15.00 APR 17, 19 6:30PM-10:30PM APR 22 8:00AM-4:30PM Truck Co. Operations I PPRX 8105-79 This course will introduce the student to the basic duties of a truck company including hand and power tool operation, search and rescue, and ventilation. Truck company support to the engine company is also covered. Students must provide; turnout gear, a notebook and pen/pencil. Min. age, 18. Prerequisite: ELIF or EBM or FF I. APR 3, 5, 10, 12 6:30PM-10:30PM PA Entry Level Firefighting PA Entry Level firefighting is comprised of seven different modules. Completion of all modules provides for the basis of more advanced training. Classes must be completed in order. Classes begin on January 10, and run through April 1. The textbook: Essentials of Fire Fighting, 6th Edition (ISBN 978-0-87939-509-4) is required. The text is available from the WCCC Book Store, 724-925-4174, or wherever text books are sold. A FREE skill booklet is provided. Must also provide a full set of turnout gear & a 20 ft. piece of rope (min. 7/16 dia.). Certificates are awarded at the successful completion of each course. Junior firefighters may attend the first three courses. Minimum age for Interior Firefighter is 18 at the onset of the class.
Course Hours Introduction to the Fire Service 16 Hazmat Awareness 4 Fireground Support 32 NIMS ICS 100 & 700 (Online) Hazmat Operations 24 Exterior Firefighter 52 Interior Firefighter 40 Total 168 Introduction to the Fire Service (ELIS) PPRX 3700-79 This course is designed to introduce new firefighters to basic information including an overview of the fire service, fire service organization, firefighter safety, personal protective equipment and terrorism awareness. This is the first of four courses in the curriculum. Students must provide; turnout gear, a notebook and pen/pencil. Min. age-14. JAN 10, 12, 17, 19 6:30PM-10:30PM Fireground Support (ELFG) PPRX 2178-79 This course is designed to introduce new firefighters to fireground operation including fire behavior, fire extinguishers, water supply, fire hose, ropes, and hazardous materials. This is the second of four courses in the curriculum. Students must provide a full set of turnout gear, notebook and pen/pencil. Satisfactory completion of a written exam required to receive a certificate. Min. age-14. Tuition $75.00 JAN 24, 26, 31 6:30PM-10:30PM FEB 4 8:00AM-4:30PM FEB 2, 7, 9 6:30PM-10:30PM Exterior Firefighter (ELEF) PPRX 1806-79 The class is designed for those firefighters that don't want to enter burning structures with SCBA. Building construction, ladders, communications, fire detection and suppression systems, forcible entry and fire prevention covered. Students must provide a full set of turnout gear, notebook and pen/pencil. Satisfactory completion of a written exam required to receive a certificate. Junior firefighters may attend. Prerequisite: Fireground Support (ELFG). Tuition $135.00 Lab Fee $15.00 FEB 14, 16, 21, 23, 28 6:30PM-10:30PM FEB 18, 25 8:00AM-4:30PM MAR 2, 7 6:30PM-10:30PM MAR 4 8:00AM-4:30PM
Interior Firefighter (ELIF)* PPRX 3662-79 The final class for entry level firefighters is for those persons that want to do live, interior fire suppression with SCBA. Self-contained breathing apparatus, nozzles and fire streams, rescue, ventilation, fire suppression, salvage and overhaul, firefighter survival and a live fire exercise are included. Students must provide turnout gear, SCBA, notebook and pen/pencil. Satisfactory completion of a written exam required to receive a certificate. Students must be 18 by first class. Prerequisite: Exterior Firefighter (ELEF) / Hazmat Operations (HMO). Tuition $135.00 Lab Fee $15.00 MAR 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 30 6:30PM-10:30PM MAR 18 8:00 AM-4:30PM APR 1 8:00 AM-4:30PM Hazardous Materials HAZMAT Awareness Level (HMAJB)* PPRX 3143-79 The primary target audiences for this course are the First Responders who will witness or discover a hazardous substance/materials release. Students will be trained to initiate an emergency response sequence by notifying the proper authorities of the release. They shall have sufficient training or have had sufficient experience to objectively demonstrate competency to understand what hazardous substances are, the risks, potential outcomes, the ability to recognize and identify their presence, their role including site security, safe scene management and how to use the Emergency Response Guidebook during a hazardous materials/wmd emergency. Students must provide; a notebook and pen/pencil. Min. age-14. Tuition $10.00 JAN 18 6:30PM-10:30PM HAZMAT Operations Level (HMOJB)* PPRX 3156-79 Provide training for first responders that respond to releases or potential releases of hazardous substances as part of the initial response for the purpose of protecting nearby persons, property and the environment. Personnel are trained to respond in a defensive fashion to contain the release from a safe distance, to keep it from spreading and prevent exposures. They must understand basic hazard and risk assessment, how to select and use proper personnel protective equipment, basic hazardous materials terms, basic control, containment and/or confinement operations within the capabilities of the resources and PPE available, basic decontamination procedures and termination procedures.. Students must provide; SCBA, turnout gear, a notebook and pen/pencil. Min. age-16. Tuition $60.00 + $10.00 Lab JAN 30 6:30PM-10:30PM FEB 1, 6, 8 6:30PM-10:30PM FEB 5 8:00AM-4:30PM
HAZMAT Operations Level Refresher (HMORJB) The primary target audiences for this refresher course are First Responders who have taken a Hazardous Materials Operations Level 472 course. The student will review previous learned information and skills associated with NFPA 472 Chapter 5 Competencies for the First Responder at the Operational Level, and 29CFR1910.120 OSHA s Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, (HAZWOPER), First Responder Operations Level. Min. age-16. Prerequisite: HMOJB or DHMO. Tuition $10.00 + $10.00 Lab FEB 13, 16 6:30PM-9:30PM PPRX 3161-79 MAR 6, 8 6:30PM-9:30PM PPRX 3161-80 MAR 20, 22 6:30PM-9:30PM PPRX 3161-81 MAY 16, 18 6:30PM-9:30PM PPRX 3161-82 HAZMAT Technician* PPRX 3166-79 This course is based on NFPA 472, "Standard for Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents" and is designed to lead to ProBoard and IFSAC certification. Designed for the student already trained at the Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations level; this course develops the skills already learned and provides in-depth training in the mitigation of hazardous materials incidents. Through both classroom and practical training, the student becomes familiar with health and safety issues, incident management, hazard and risk analysis, personal protective clothing, and decontamination. Students must provide; SCBA, turnout gear, a notebook and pen/pencil. HAZMAT Tech certification included in cost of class. Min. age-18. Prerequisite: HMOJB or DHMO. Tuition $270.00 + $10.00 Lab MAR 28 6:30PM-10:30PM APR 2, 9, 23, 30 8:00AM-4:30PM APR 18 6:30PM-10:30PM Rescue Basic Vehicle Rescue Awareness (NVRA)* PPRX 0483-79 This course will provide an awareness level of information and skills as it pertains to vehicle rescue incidents. Topics will include general vehicle rescue function/operation; incident management of the vehicle accident/rescue incident; vehicle anatomy, design, and construction; recognition and control of hazards relative to a vehicle accident/rescue incident; and the tools and equipment used at a vehicle accident/rescue incident. Text Book required: Jones & Bartlett, Vehicle Extrication Level I & II: Principles and Practice, 1st Edition. Students must provide; turnout gear, a notebook and pen/pencil. Min. age-16. Prerequisite: HMAJB or DHMA. APR 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20 6:30PM-10:30PM Tuition $75.00+Lab Fee $25.00
Basic Vehicle Rescue Operations (NVRO)* PPRX 0484-79 This course will provide an operations level of information and skills as it pertains to vehicle rescue incidents. Topics will include: incident management; tools/equipment; vehicle anatomy/design; hazard control; patient access, care, and packaging; disentanglement; extrication and termination. Upon completion of the course, the student will be eligible to complete the PA Joint Rescue Program Basic Vehicle Rescue Examination. Text Book required: Jones & Bartlett, Vehicle Extrication Level I & II: Principles and Practice, 1st Edition. Students must provide; turnout gear, a notebook and pen/pencil. Min. age-18. Prerequisite: NVRA, HMAJB or DHMA. Tuition $70.00+Lab Fee$30.00 APR 25, 27 APR 29 MAY 2 6:30PM-10:30PM 8:00AM-4:30PM 6:30PM-10:30PM Elevator Rescue PPRX 1728-79 Elevator Incidents and Emergencies occur every day across the country. The Classroom portion is designed to provide the students with an in depth look at the construction and operation of elevators. Both traction and hydraulic systems are discussed. The necessary steps to mitigate an elevator incident or emergency are also presented to the students. Size-up, Lock-Out /Tag-out, Elevator Key Use, Poling and Removal Procedures are covered. Students must provide; a notebook and pen/pencil, work gloves and steel toed shoes. Prerequisite: ELIF or EBM or FF I. Min. Age, 18. FEB 10, 15 6:30PM-10:30PM FEB 11 8:00AM-4:30PM Rope/High Angle Rescue I (RORE)* PPRX 7132-79 Students in this course will be introduced to the various types of rope and related rescue equipment. Students will be training in tying of the basic knots and hitches used in rope rescue, basic rappelling techniques, tie-offs, self-rescue, basic litter tie-ins, and basic litter handling skills. Much of the program is hands-on and time is allotted for practice in order to build proficiency. Students must provide; a notebook and pen/pencil, work gloves and steel toed shoes. Min. Age, 18. MAY 8, 10 6:30PM-10:30PM MAY 13 8:00AM-4:30PM
Rope/High Angle Rescue II (RORA)* PPRX 7134-79 Students in this course will be re-introduced to the various types of rescue equipment. Students will be trained in; mechanical advantage systems, safeties, basic ascending, basic rappelling technique and tie-offs with a rappel rack, rope changes, and one person rescue. The students will perform a low angle raise and lower evolution simulating patient transport on embankments. Most of the program is hands-on and time is allotted for practice in order to build proficiency. Students must provide; a notebook and pen/pencil, work gloves and steel toed shoes. Min. Age, 18. MAY 22, 24 6:30PM-10:30PM MAY 27 8:00AM-4:30PM Trench Rescue Operations (TRE) PPRX 8101-79 This course will introduce the student to the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and effectively perform complex rescue operations in collapsed trench excavations. Course work will include practical drills and demonstration in simulated trench excavations. Students must provide; a notebook and pen/pencil, work gloves and steel toed shoes. Min. Age, 18. Tuition $55.00+Lab Fee $15.00 MAY 13,14 8:00AM-4:30PM Water Rescue Awareness (WRFR-A) PPRX 8702-79 This course will provide information that the first arriving emergency services personnel will need at a water incident to recognize risks and dangers associated with water emergencies and take actions to ensure their safety. The course will address scene assessment, activation of emergency response system, evaluation of potential and existing water hazards, scene management, rescue vs. recovery, and personal safety measures. Students must provide; a notebook and pen/pencil. Min. age-14. Tuition $10.00 FEB 13 6:30PM-9:30PM
Certification Testing Certification Level Date(s) Application Due Cost Driver Operator-Pumper AUG 26 AUG 4 $100 Driver Operator-Aerial OCT 21 SEP 22 $100 Firefighter I APR 7,8/AUG 11,12 MAR 3 / JUL 7 $150 Firefighter II SEP 30 AUG 25 $100 Fire Officer I See FOI Class Dates N/A $70 1 Hazmat Awareness JAN 20/SEP 15 JAN 16/SEP 11 $40 Hazmat Operations MAR 11 FEB 10 $150 Hazmat Technician MAY 5,6 APR 7 $150 1 Instructor I DEC 15,16 DEC 1 $70 1 Rescue Technician MAR 25 MAR 3 $100 General Requirements 1 If you are taking the associated class, cost is included in the class cost. Please note application due by dates! Your completed application AND payment must be at the PSTC no later than 4:00PM on the above dates to be considered! Classes noted with an * after them lead to certifications. Contact us at the center for more details. Westmoreland is an affirmative action, equal opportunity college.