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Menu of Services “and Rescue”
Special Assistance
FSTS provides special educational programs and services to assist local fire & rescue organizations with training, planning, technical and management problems. Research is conducted by staff members or referred to subject matter experts with which FSTS maintains contact. Services have ranged from conducting a performance audit of a local fire department to testing apparatus.
Curriculum Development
FSTS has developed an innovative approach for training fire fighters which has received national acclaim. The program is gaining popularity and was especially designed to meet the needs of Montana’s fire services. Additional levels are under development, as well as revisions to existing units.
Training Delivery
In the 2007 fiscal year, 3,072 emergency responders from 53 counties received 26,282 contact hours or 2,038 course hours of instruction from FSTS. Currently, operations staff log more than 100,000 miles per year to provide training in communities all over Montana.
Emergency Services Library
FSTS maintains an extensive library of fire and EMS related materials, all of which are available on a loan basis to local fire services. FSTS
made 919 resource center loans of equipment and materials in 2007. Materials include transparencies, course guides, video tapes, lesson plans, hardware, instructor kits, periodicals, reference books, catalogs and technical reports. Over two thousand loans are made annually. An annual membership fee is charged to help fund this service.
Newsletter
FSTS compiles and publishes two newsletters. The Montana Fire & Rescue newsletter is published monthly in cooperation with Fire and Aviation Management (DNRC).
Web Page
FSTS maintains a Webpage that features the Daily Latest, Agency Profile, Training and Certification, Resource Center, Market Place, and other topics of interest.
Professional Certification
FSTS offers a testing program which recognizes demonstrated professional competence. FSTS issued a total of 44 professional training certifications in 2007. Fire service personnel are tested against standards for various levels and specialties and recognized with a certificate for success. The program is accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress and the National Board for Fire Service Professional Qualifications.
Mobile Training Labs
FSTS also operates a number of mobile training props. A confined space prop has been constructed in a trailer and is used by trainers to teach confined space techniques. A FLAG (Flammable Liquid and Gas) trailer provides learners with hands-on training in the danger of flammable gases and liquids. A burn trailer gives fire fighters the opportunity to fight a simulated fire. A new live burn prop is in the planning stages. Props are rotated between fire companies who request them and trainers are assigned when necessary. When local trainers are well versed in prop operations and safety concerns, the props are made available to them without an FSTS trainer.
Coaches Network
FSTS identifies and trains experienced fire fighters to be coaches. These individuals then train personnel within their own or other departments. Coaches make major contributions to the development of training materials and provide instruction at agency sponsored courses.
Manual Program
FSTS develops written examinations on training materials published by the International Fire Services Training Association. These testing materials are routinely revised and used by a few career fire departments in Montana.
National Fire Academy/FSTS Partnership
FSTS operates in partnership with the National Fire Academy to bring NFA Courses to Montana. Each year, nine courses are delivered utilizing NFA instructors from all over the United States.
What Our Customers Say About The Fire Services Training School
“The Fire School has a greater impact on life safety than anything else the State does.” Scott Waldron, Chief; Frenchtown Fire District
“The Fire Training School is the glue that holds the fire service together.” Tom McIsaac, Chief; Belgrade Rural Fire District in testimony before a legislative committee.
“It’s the best fire training experience available in Montana.” Comment by Evan Allderdice, Loma Fire Department Fire Fighter, after completing a course.
“My hat goes off to you and your staff , the training was at times complex, strenuous and exhilarating... the way it should be! Cory Benge, Fire Fighter I Academy graduate.
For additional information contact:
Fire Services Training School
750 6th Street Southwest
Great Falls, Montana 59404-3297
Phone: (406) 761-7885. Fax: (406) 268-3735
FSTS Director: Butch Weedon: bweedon@montana.edu
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