UVU fire, rescue academy brings winter fire school to Washington County

Written by Holly Coombs
January 8, 2015
Utah Valley University's Fire and Rescue Academy sets up for its winter fire school, St. George, Utah, Jan. 7, 2014 | Photo by Brett Barrett, St. George News

WASHINGTON COUNTY — More than 800 firefighters from throughout Utah will participate in a two-day fire school program conducted by Utah Valley University’s Utah Fire and Rescue Academy at multiple locations throughout Washington County Friday and Saturday.

Academy program coordinators are setting up for its 23rd annual Winter Fire School classes, event spokesman David Owens said. With a fee of $40 per person, approximately 813 firefighters registered to attend from metropolitan and rural fire departments within the state, and instructors from all over the nation, the event should prove successful, he said.

Utah fire fighters get hands-on learning at the Utah Valley University Fire and Rescue Academy's winter fire school program, St. George, Utah, circa, 2013| Photo courtesy of Lori Marshall, St. George News
Utah firefighters get hands-on learning at the Utah Valley University Fire and Rescue Academy’s winter fire school program, St. George, Utah, circa 2013| Photo courtesy of Lori Marshall, St. George News

The school grows every year, Owens said, and skilled instructors from states including New York, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Washington, California and Colorado will be present to teach hands-on fire activities to firefighters to improve their performance within their departments and cities.

“These classes will provide the opportunity for metro and rural firefighters to exchange experience and learn how to do things more efficiently,” Owens said. “It’s great networking experience.”

Among the curriculum and learning activities will be:

  • How to cut through a rough without falling through to rescue others
  • Ventilation tactics
  • Fire fighter safety and survival
  • How to breach a wall with a tank
  • Command training within a center to organize a fire around them
  • Driving simulators within a semi trailer
Utah fire fighters get hands-on learning at the Utah Valley University Fire and Rescue Academy's winter fire school program, St. George, Utah, circa, 2013| Photo courtesy of Lori Marshall, St. George News
Utah firefighters get hands-on learning at the Utah Valley University Fire and Rescue Academy’s winter fire school program, St. George, Utah, circa 2013| Photo courtesy of Lori Marshall, St. George News

Areas that the academy coordinators and fire school instructors will use include the Dixie Center, multiple property areas of the Dixie Applied Technology College including the Ridge Top Complex, the Zion’s Bank parking lot on St. George Boulevard, a Washington County fire station, and workshops within Washington City.

The courses will take place from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Owens said the school courses are meant to provide learning for firefighters in such a way that they will walk away thinking “this is awesome.”

“It’s a huge expense to go into a facility to take a class where the subject matter isn’t what one might expect from the price paid,” he said. “But this two-day course is only $40 for a great program.”

The program coordinators also look forward to working in warmer weather, Owens said.

“It’s a break to get out of cold weather, “ he said. “And being a firefighter is about water. It’s nice to come to a place where the water is not turning to ice when you’re learning how to put out fires.”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Holly is a 2013 graduate from Southern Utah University, where she received her bachelor's degree in communication with an emphasis in journalism and broadcasting. She thrives off meeting and associating with people from any background and culture and learning their stories. Holly is a country girl and enjoys the outdoors, but most of all she loves spending time with friends and family.

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2 Comments

  • Brian January 8, 2015 at 9:42 am

    I trained in the entry / attack trailer and flash-over trailer at this event last year, and both were really cool. The flash-over trailer was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. You’re in there with 8 or 10 other fire fighters, taking turns kneeling down in front of the fire and getting trained on its behavior (personality, really). At the top of your helmet its about 500 degrees, and if you reach your hand up as far as you can its closer to 900 degrees. They spray a quick mist (which you shouldn’t do in a real situation) and the steam instantly penetrates your gear. That mistake in a real pre-flash-over situation with a full mist will cook you like a lobster and kill you. Great training, and definitely gives you a healthy respect for fire! Seeing the fire snakes crawl across the ceiling is surreal! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCry0iFnMRw

  • ladybugavenger January 8, 2015 at 10:23 am

    I love firefighters!!! Very heroic and honorable! If my house is burning I want the firefighters to show up, that’s for sure!

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