Vital For Public Safety, Volunteer Firefighters Complete Training

EAST HAVEN, CT —Congratulations are in order for members of East Haven Volunteer Fire Companies 1-4 on successful completion of Firefighter I training, as posted on Facebook by Mayor Joseph A. Carfora.

And it's a pretty big, and vital, deal because as East Haven Fire Chief Matt Marcarelli pointed out, the town has four volunteer companies but not enough volunteers.

"This training is important to recruitment and retention," Marcarelli said. "We like many other communities have struggled to maintain a vibrant volunteer cadre to supplement our career staff."

Marcarelli said the shortage of volunteer firefighters across the four volunteer companies, means that, "At current levels, some companies are unable to respond, as much as 85 percent, to the calls dispatched, which is a real concern."

Firefighter 1 is entry level firefighter certification. In the state of Connecticut in order to comply with OSHA certain topics just be covered before a firefighter can enter a burning building. Training includes: Search and Rescue Vehicle extrication Ventilation Personnel protective equipment and SCBA Firefighter safety and survival Fire extinguishment Ropes and knots Communication and alarm systems Sprinkler systems Forcible entry Ladders Water supply and hydrants Salvage and overhaul All of these skills culminate in a life fire training exercise and written and practical exams administered by the State Fore Academy

This program, supported by Marcarelli and Carfora, was spearheaded by Training Officer James Murray who ran the class jointly with North Branford.

"It is our hope that this certification will put more boots on the ground, but only time will tell," Marcarelli said.

About Firefighter 1 training

The entry level firefighter certification is required in Connecticut in order to comply with OSHA, Marcarelli explained. "Certain topics just be covered before a firefighter can enter a burning building."

The training includes: search and rescue; vehicle extrication; ventilation; personnel protective equipment; SCBA firefighter safety and survival; fire extinguishment; ropes and knots; communication and alarm systems; sprinkler systems; forcible entry; ladders; water supply and hydrants; and salvage and overhaul. In other words, a lot.

"All these skills" culminate in a live fire training exercise followed by written and practical exams administered by the State Fire Academy, Marcarelli said.