Delaware State Fire School

On Tuesday July 9th, we hosted a Traffic Incident Management course in partnership with Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), the Delaware State Police, and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency. Members of DelDOT along with some from Fire and Police agencies in the State, completed the 4-hour National TIMS course.
After the course, attendees were joined by some additional guests for an exercise to compare accident investigations from traditional teams on the ground against drone teams.

There was also an example of then use of TIMS for students to see first hand and for the teams to use in their exercise. The information will help guide policy and funding requests on accident investigations to help open Delaware roadways more quickly while staying safe.

We also had Todd Leiss visit and helped with instruction. He has been a proponent for traffic safety on the nations highways and was demonstrating a virtual TIMS training platform through Jacobs Solutions Inc.

This morning, a contract signing ceremony was held at the Dover Division, between the State of Delaware through the the Delaware State Fire School, and Training Specialties Inc. for the foam reclamation project for Delaware’s fire companies. Representatives from State Government who helped move this State funded project were also present.

After the signing by Director Tucker Dempsey and TSI President and CEO Bob Gliem, a demonstration in the use of the new foam was performed by students in our Firefighter 1 & 2 Accelerated Class as part of their training on liquid fuel firefighting.

This is the first State-funded project in the United States to help reclaim cancer causing foams from the fire service. This program will begin in the next few months, utilizing the Fire School grounds to complete the complicated process.

Delaware State Fire School's Foam Replacement Initiative

Announcement!

The State of Delaware, in collaboration with the Delaware State Fire School, has entered into a contract with Training Specialties Inc (TSI) of Exton, PA. TSI will render services to support the Delaware Fire School and the Delaware Fire Service in the remediation of PFAS-contaminated foam in firefighting equipment. The Fire School Staff will supervise the project, which encompasses the extraction of the contaminated foam, cleansing of the foam reservoirs, and refilling with an eco-friendly firefighting foam.

On July 11, 2024, at 10:00 AM, there will be an official contract signing involving the State of Delaware Representees, the DSFS, and Training Specialties Inc. This event will include a demonstration of the newly selected Class B Firefighting Foam, considered the best available option today. This eco-friendly foam represents a significant step towards a healthier environment and safer communities served by the Delaware Fire Service.

The live demonstration, showcasing the foam's effectiveness on flammable liquid fires, is open to all fire and rescue service personnel interested in attending.

For any inquiries, please contact the DSFS offices.

On Tuesday June 11th, Michael Lowe was recognized by the Delaware State Fire Commission for his years of service and accomplishments with Fire Prevention in the State. Afterward, he was recognized at a small gathering with his family by the staff and Director Dempsey. Mike shared a few words and was gifted with a desk clock and a cake. Mike officially retires from the Fire School on June 30th.

Mike has been with Fire School since 1998. He has overseen a variety of programs but always been a major part of fire prevention programs. He was active with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and was the Certification Manager for the past 10 years, working closely with The Pro Board and International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC), He finished as the Sussex Division Manager.

We wish Mike the best of luck in retirement and know that we will still see his face around the fire school.

Today is the last day! It’s been a hot but great week with these cadets.

Cadets are learning CPR before lunch and graduation this afternoon.

It’s time!!!!!! 2024 Junior Fire Academy Day 1!!!!

A new date for the Firefighter 1 & 2 Challenge (with Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations, if needed) has been added to July 13th, beginning at 8am with the written testing, followed immediately by skills testing.

Click the link below to get the application to register!
https://statefireschool.delaware.gov/certification-testing/

The 2024 Safety Stand Down will take place June 16-22 and emphasize the importance of a solid, foundational training program with this year's theme, “Fire Training: Back to Basics.”

Safety Stand Down is a joint initiative of the Fire Department Safety Officers Association, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the National Fire Protection Association, and the National Volunteer Fire Council and is supported by national and international fire and emergency service organizations as well as health and safety-related organizations and agencies.

The event focuses on the critical importance of responders taking care of themselves both on and off the emergency incident scene. An entire week is provided to ensure all shifts and duty crew can participate.

We have scheduled a Summer Full EMR Course beginning July 29th.

Visit our sign-up for classes page for more and to register!

https://statefireschool.delaware.gov/classes/

We are hiring an Administrative Specialist II. Click the link for details and to apply!

http://surl.li/uhpqa

Congrats to the Wilmington Fire Department recruits and the William Penn High School students who successfully passed their psychomotor skills testing yesterday. Next step is the National Registry written exam. Good luck on a long and successful career.

PHTLS July 6 & 7 at Delaware City Fire Co. Click the link for more info.https://statefireschool.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/114/2024/06/PHTLS-Special-Offering-July-6-7-2024.pdf

New Delivery!

We are pleased to announce the recent delivery of a Complete Water Rescue Package from One Boat Rescue Boats.

The setup is designed to allow the transport and delivery of 2 rescue style boats directly to the training site. These units will provide a great enhancement in the delivery of our water rescue programs state-wide. Over the next several weeks, staff and instructors will begin training on the units prior to implementation into the programs

Over the past several weeks our Maintenance Division has been hard at work planning and executing updates to our liquids and gasses area at the Kent Division. With the addition of these props, we hope to create even more realistic training for our students in these areas.

We would like to thank our industrial partners for their assistance with the donation of these props, as well as their expertise during the planning phase! Stay tuned, we'll keep you posted with updates as this project progresses to completion.

We share our sorrow with the Georgetown Fire Company on the Loss of Chief Rodney T. Marvel.

Chief Marvel was a long-time and very active instructor, teaching many courses over the years, most notably our Fire Officer & Vehicle Rescue Programs. "Rodney T.", as he was affectionately known by, was an expert in these areas, and passed that knowledge to countless students over his tenure.

In addition to his vast knowledge of Fire Officer and Rescue Programs, most importantly he was a friend to all that knew him.

On Sunday, May 5th, Director Dempsey welcomed fire service leaders, family, and friends to the graduation ceremony for the Spring FF1&2 Academy Class. Sixty-two students from across the state completed all required tasks and received their certifications. Delaware Emergency Management Agency's Director, A.J. Schall provided the keynote address. Additional awards were given to students in each county for the following.

Most Improved
Student Leadership
Instructors Award

And the Directors' Award was presented to Josiah Swartzentruber for his overall dedication in the program. Class spokesperson Elizabeth Brode presented a token of their appreciation to Program Manager Jeff Brown for his hard work and assistance to their class. We would like to congratulate each student for their success and wish them a safe journey as they head back to their respective companies to protect our communities.

We would like to thank the fire companies for their support to this program, and Paul McClosky from the Aenta Hose, Hook & Ladder Company of Newark for the photos.

This weekend, the final skill stations were completed by students from the New Castle and Kent Division Firefighter 1&2 programs in Dover. The evolutions weekend allows students to put all of the skills they've learned to use in a simulated practical setting, allowing students to begin to hone those skills under the watchful eye of instructors. Students are divided into engine, ladder, and rescue companies, and dispatched to various "incidents" on the grounds while instructors act as apparatus officers. These incidents range from structure fires, vehicle accidents, and hazardous materials incidents.

Sussex students will finish up this weekend with their evolution day, and graduation is scheduled for Sunday!

We would like to thank all assisting fire companies for the use of their apparatus for evolution days, your assistance is paramount to the success of this program!

On this Administrative Professionals Day, we'd like to recognize our administrative staff for their hard work and dedication! Often times they are the first person you talk to on the phone, or the first face you see when visiting our Kent Division. Our agency is fortunate to have such amazing ladies serving our customers and supporting our mission!

We are looking for several pieces of apparatus with a driver to assist the Firefighter 1 & 2 students in evolutions this weekend and next at the Kent Division. Please reach out to Jeff L. Brown at the Kent Division if you can help out! Thanks!

Director Dempsey and the Delaware State Fire School proudly announce the graduation ceremony for the Spring 2024 Firefighter 1&2 students on Sunday, May 5th at 1:00 P.M. Friends and families are invited to attend; however, space is limited. This will be an outdoor event held at the Kent County Division for students from all divisions. Questions can be forwarded to Training Administrator Jeff L. Brown at [email protected].

Multiple Water Rescue Courses are scheduled across the state with multiple dates. Visit our Sign up for Classes page to register.
https://statefireschool.delaware.gov/classes/