First Idea, Inc. and The Colorado State Fire Chiefs (CSFC) Volunteer Section have partnered together to provide “The 36-hour Introduction to Firefighting Task Book” to volunteer fire departments in Colorado. The CSFC volunteer section created the task book program due to the need for one consistent basic firefighter program available state-wide.
Serving more than 450,000 Colorado residents, the CSFC Volunteer Section represents more than 198 all-volunteer fire departments and is chaired by Fire Chief Brita Horn of Rock Creek Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) with Vice Chair Assistant Fire Chief Brad White of Grand Fire Protection District #1 in Granby, Colorado.
The Firefighting Task book was created to help new volunteer firefighters have a better understanding of the mental and physical demands of firefighting and the cross-training involved in the job as a firefighter. Many medical groups, wildfire groups, and fire boards have trained via the 36-hour program that includes classroom modules, hands-on training with job performance records (JPR’s), instructor resources, a final exam, rosters, attendance sheets, and a certificate of completion.
“It’s one-stop training for the volunteer departments,” said Chief Horn. The first 100 task books were funded by a SAFER Fire Grant and delivered to volunteer fire departments in the partnership with the Colorado Department of Fire Prevention and Control Field Manager Officers (FMO). “When the grant funding was depleted, First Idea President Annette Alvarez reached out to our volunteer section and offered to help print more copies of the book,” said Chief Horn.
“We are committed to the well-being and safety of our communities, and we are concerned about the shortage of firefighter volunteers across the state,” said Annette Alvarez. “We are committed to helping and will help in whatever we can to promote recruiting of firefighter volunteers. There is a shortage of over 3600 volunteer firefighters across the state. Printing this task book helps generate neighbors to get involved and join their local fire department.”
FirstIdea, Inc. is a Human Resources Consulting Company that specializes in job analysis, testing and assessment centers for Fire, Police departments, and private sectors for entry-level and promotion nationwide. Located in Parker, Colorado, its mission is to help organizations put the right people in the right job so that the organization can thrive.
For more information about volunteering, contact Fire Chief Brita Horn at chiefhorn25@gmail.com, or on Facebook: Rock Creek Volunteer Fire Department Colorado, or twitter @chiefhorn.
To learn about First Idea, go to www.firstidea.org, Facebook: FirstIdea Inc., or contact Annette Alvarez at annette@firstidea.org.