NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Captain Jason Powell
423-483-5819
JCFD Sets State Record for Fire Academy Training Contact Hours
Murfreesboro-
The Johnson City Fire Department (JCFD)recently received special recognition from the Tennessee Fire and Codes Academy (TFACA) during the annual Tennessee Fire Chief’s Association (TFCA) Conference in Murfreesboro. They were recognized for leading the State of Tennessee in training contact hours from July 1st, 2016 to June 30th, 2017. During this period, the members of the Johnson City Fire Department attended 11,062 hours of training delivered by TFACA Instructors in our region. This total is the highest ever by a Fire Department in Tennessee since the TFACA opened in Bell Buckle, TN in 2004. The previous record was less than 8000 hours.
Interim Chief David Harrison and Training Officer, Captain Jason Powell were on hand to receive the award. “I cannot tell you how proud I am of this accomplishment, “ said Captain Powell, “this award clearly demonstrates the desire the men and women of our Department have to improve themselves and the service we deliver to our community.” The award was present to Chief Harrison and Captain Powell during the opening ceremonies of the annual convention by TFCA President David Hodges, Deputy Chief Maryville Fire Dept., and Director of Fire Programs Jeff Elliott, TFACA.
The second highest total went to Murfreesboro Fire Department with nearly 1000 less hours than Johnson City. The next closest departments were in the 7000 to 8000 hour range. “The commitment of funding from city management and the commitment to grow and improve fire and EMS service by our Commissioners was the catalyst to this achievement, “ Captain Powell said. The Commission increased funding to allow for additional training of personnel in the areas of leadership, apparatus operations, and safety to help members of the Fire Department achieve new requirements for promotions and career advancement. The goal of this program is to insure current services are delivered with the highest quality, efficiency, and effectiveness while helping to develop future leadership.
The 11,062 hours only represent the hours taken by members through the TFACA. This total does not include the required annual 40 hours of Fire In-service Training all members participate in, the 240 hours of individual training that members must obtain during their regular shifts, the medical training ranging from 20 to 30 hours bi-annually for medical licensure recertification, or the other training hours required to maintain specific certifications such as Fire Inspector or Arson Investigator.
Training has not taken a break as the JCFD begins a new fiscal year, members of the department are currently enrolling in classes to develop new fire service instructors, fire officers, and safety officers. Other members of the department are continuing to work toward their Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Licensure at the Johnson City campus of Northeast State Community College.
Photo Credit: Amy Maxwell, Public Information Officer, Hamilton County Emergency Services
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