FY2010 Arlington Fire Department Annual Report FY 2010 | Page 27

The Fire Training section is responsible for ensuring the professional
competence of all emergency responders in the Arlington Fire
Department. By leveraging technology and combining with classroom
and realistic live training, this vital section prepares our department for
a wide range of emergencies.
The Fire Department‘s continuing education curriculum for Fire and
EMT-Intermediate certifications includes four components: quick
drills, FTO training sessions, battalion drills and burn drills. Computer
-based quick drills are hour-long cognitive training modules that form
the foundation for continuing education. Fire Captains are responsible
for serving as Field Training Officers, instructing ―hands on‖ training
classes that reinforce the concepts of the quick drills. Battalion Chiefs
conduct battalion wide drills to further emphasize topics from the quick
drills and practical training and to address topics pertinent to their
respective battalions. Live burn drills are the culmination of the Fire
core continuing education curriculum.
The Arlington Fire Department uses live cable broadcasts
for tactical exercises. A structure within the city is
designated for a scenario and participating personnel
discuss the initial size up and incident management
strategies. This innovative program was highlighted in the
April 2010 issue of Fire Engineering magazine.
The Arlington Fire Department is certified by the State of
Texas as a fire training academy. In 2010, 17 recruits
underwent a 16 week academy and were certified as Basic Firefighters and Hazardous Materials
Technicians prior to assignment at fire stations.
In addition to providing classroom, studio and drill field facilities for the department, the Fire Training
Center also serves as a community resource, hosting town hall meetings, training courses for the
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and early voting.

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Working Together to Make Arlington Better.