Local volunteer firefighters train and hone their skills to save lives and help in dangerous situations
Press release:
Fifteen area firefighers successfully completed the Basic Exterior Firefighter Operations (BEFO) training program held at the Genesee County Fire Training Center. Also, an eight-hour Trench Rescue Awareness course was recently conducted at the Genesee County Fire Training Center. Twenty-two members of the County’s volunteer fire service completed this program on Nov. 9.
BASIC EXTERIOR FIREFIGHTER OPERATIONS TRAINING PROGRAM
BEFO is an entry-level program requiring 79 hours of classroom instruction and skill development. This course is designed to prepare students to respond to emergencies as exterior firefighters. BEFO prepares new firefighters to operate under direct supervision in the exterior or IDLH (immediately dangerous to life or health) areas of the fire scene.
Students participated in training covering: firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE); self-contained breathing apparatus inspection and cylinder changing; fire department communications; building construction and fire behavior; modern fire control research; portable fire extinguishers; rope and knot tying; ground ladders; forcible entry; tactical ventilation theory; water supply; hose and fire streams; loss control; orientation to fire origin and cause determination; fire prevention and life safety initiatives; confined space awareness; overview of first aid and buddy care; and Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations.
Genesee County BEFO training participants included:
Alexander Fire Department
- Matthew F. Grimes
- Adam F. Meier
- Douglas G. Mess
- Heidi L. Richmond
Bethany Volunteer Fire Department
- Timothy J. McCabe
Darien Center Chemical Fire Company
- Megan R. Brown
East Pembroke Fire Department
- Lloyd J. Casselbury
Pavilion Fire Department
- Amanda A. Goodwin
- Sean P. Vogt Jr.
- Timothy R. Zipfel Jr.
South Byron Fire Department
- Aaron N. Belluscio
- Theresa E. Hammer
- Andew L. Konieczny
- Vitorrio J. Muoio
Stafford Volunteer Fire Department
- Samantha S. Call
TRENCH RESCUE AWARENESS COURSE
Problems that can and do occur in trench rescue incidents were discussed. Safety techniques, shoring techniques, proper procedures, team operations and hazard assessment were addressed.
Trench Rescue Awareness participants included:
Town of Batavia Fire Department
- Joshua K. Boyle
- Clayton A. Gorski
Bethany Volunteer Fire Department
- Christopher M. Page
- Kyle L. Rombaut
Corfu Rescue Hook & Ladder Co.
- Mitchell D. Bates
- Gregory S. Lang
- Matthew P. Lenhard
- Steven D. Rodland
- Jeffrey D. Luker
Darien Center Chemical Fire Company inc.
- Joe T. Marino
- David W. McGreevy
- Mark R. Starczewski Sr.
- Paul C. Redden
Elba Fire Department
- Nickolas J. Esten
- John D. Mudrzynski
- Jason R. Pallister
- Michael J. Schad Jr.
- George M. Underhill
- Caitlin E. Zipfel
Pembroke Fire District
- James Reinhardt
- Tera L. Reinhardt
Stafford Volunteer Fire Department
- Timothy E. Eckdahl