DPSST's Fire Training Program offers a wide array of courses and props to meet your fire service agency's needs. Below is a comprehensive list of those offerings. To schedule a course or prop for your area, contact your Regional Fire Training Coordinator.
For any live fire training taught by DPSST staff, the following form is required to be submitted for each participant: DPSST Department Authorization Form for Live Fire.
CLASSROOM/HANDS ON COMBINATION CLASSES:
- NFPA FIRE FIGHTER I and II: (Combination Hands On Training with Classroom)
- All Firefighter I Classes or Full Academy (Full Class or Blended)
- All Firefighter II Classes or Full Academy (Full Classes or Blended)
- HazMat Awareness & Ops
- Courage to be Safe (16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives)
- Leadership, Accountability, Culture, Knowledge (LACK)
- All 3 MCTO Series (All Fire Ground Leader Classes):
- Preparation for Initial Company Operations
- Decision-Making for Initial Company Operations
- Strategy & Tactics for Initial Company Operations
- NFA Incident Safety Officer (Fire Ground Leader Class)
- NFA Health & Safety Officer
- Building Construction - Non-Combustible/Fire Resistive & Combustible
- Advanced Fire Behavior
- Water Supply Operations (4 hour class)
- NFPA Fire Instructor I (Full Class or Hybrid)
- NFPA Fire Instructor II (Full Class or Hybrid)
- NFPA Fire Officer I (Full Class or Hybrid)
- NFPA Fire Officer II (Full Class or Hybrid)
- NFPA Driver
- NFPA Pumper Operator
- NFPA Mobile Water Supply (Tender Operator)
- NFPA Wildland Apparatus Operator
- Mastering Your Craft
CLASSES WITH PROPS:
- Mayday Props
- Flammable Liquids & Gas Props
- Car Fire Prop
- Mobile Fire Training Unit
- Skid-truck
- Vehicle & Machinery Extrication
- Traffic Incident Management (TIM) (Drill Night 3 hours+ or full version 6-8 Hours)
NWCG WILDLAND CLASSES:
- S-130/S-190 Beginner Classes (FF Type II)
- S-131 Includes S-133 (FF Type I)
What exactly is a SKIDTRUCK? The SKIDTRUCK is a semi-truck that has been modified with a set of “training wheels” that are controlled from within the vehicle. The SKIDTRUCK system uses hydraulic rams and casters to lift the truck just enough to limit the normal traction and simulate driving on wet pavement, snow, ice, etc. With this system DPSST is able to teach drivers how to stay calm while employing techniques that keep the driver in control when navigating hazardous conditions.
Through the use of two separate SKIDTRUCKS, one stationary truck in Salem and one traveling tractor trailer that brings the class to all corners of Oregon, DPSST is able to offer a comprehensive driver development course. The curriculum consists of a classroom portion that covers material ranging from vehicle dynamics to proper braking techniques and overall stability, in addition to hands-on training in the SKIDTRUCK unit.
Mobile Fire Training Unit
The Mobile Fire Training Unit (MFTU) contains a permanent propane-fired bed prop and rollover simulator. Portable propane-fired pans can be relocated in the unit and covered with other simulated props to provide a variety of live-fire exercises. The unit’s onboard generator makes it totally self-contained and portable, though an optional shore power connection is available.
Movable interior wall panels enable instructors to change the layout of the unit to present participants with different scenarios. Several panels have mock doors or other moveable components. The integrated smoke generator creates a dark smoke that forces members to crawl and search in realistic type conditions. The collapsible second story provides the means for performing other essential skills like laddering, vertical ventilation, and multistory fire attack. A few individuals can easily erect the second story in approximately 30 minutes.
Click here for a great video showcasing the MFTU by Umatilla County Fire District #1's Recruitment & Retention Coordinator Nickolas Oatley.
Flammable Liquids and Gas
The Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) delivers a Flammable Liquids and Gases class regionally that includes both a classroom illustrated lecture and hands-on exercises using propane-fueled live-fire props. Classroom content includes chemical and physical properties of flammable and combustible liquids and gases, the hazards they present, and safe tactics in handling these emergencies. The props include a residential natural gas meter and propane tank, as well as a flash pan for liquids. With these props, NFPA Firefighter II skills such as hose advancing, fire stream placement and foam application techniques are practiced in the hands-on portion.
Vertical ventilation is a bread and butter evolution for fire ground operations. The availability of vertical ventilation training aids can be challenging for fire agencies throughout Oregon. The Department of Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) offers departments and training associations a mobile ventilation training tool. The ventilation training tool is steel framework that is manufactured on a trailer. This allows the training tool to be delivered to a desired site that that allows participants to train in their respective home unit areas for greater training opportunities. The frame work allows the use of 2x10 framing for ceiling joists and 2x4 framing for simulated trusses. OSB or plywood is used to deck the trusses for ventilation. Roofing paper or asphalt shingles can also be used. The framework is then hydraulically lifted to the desired pitch.
Participants can utilize the tool through various evolutions from flat roof ventilation up to a 6-12 pitch peak roof ventilation evolutions. Ladder evolutions, tools and hoisting techniques can be incorporated into ventilation evolutions. The unit is also lighted for use during low light and night operations to suit departmental needs.
The Oregon DPSST has two propane fired vehicle fire safety props designed to simulate a passenger vehicle fire. This completely hands-on class teaches the tactics required for safe and effective extinguishment of vehicle fires. The course covers the principles of: angle of approach, vehicle hazards zones, order of operations, and hose handling skills. This class conforms to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1403 standard for live fire training. All students must have the perquisite firefighter coursework and OSHA respiratory requirements to participate. This class typically accommodates a minimum of 9 and maximum of 25 students in a 2-2 ½ hour period.
Mayday training is provided thru DPSST to teach firefighters how and when to call a Mayday. This can include entrapment, low air, entanglement, falls, disorientation, separation, and collapse. The purpose of knowing when and how to call a Mayday is of the upmost important to saving firefighters lives.
Training provided by DPSST cadre includes 3 hours of classroom followed by several hours of hands-on training with several scenarios based on actual incidents. We do training on how to avoid getting into a situation and how to react in case something does go wrong.
The Firefighter Self-Rescue course is designed to teach the techniques required after calling mayday, but prior to receiving help. Topics covered in this class include wall breaching techniques, moving through tight spaces with SCBA, ladder bailout, accessing high windows (basement), single firefighter escape, and team escapes. This class can accommodate up to 20 students in a 2 hour period. DPSST escape props can easily be set-up in an open truck bay.