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Purcellville Volunteer Fire Company Engine and Truck Company 2 |  |
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Purcellville Volunteer Fire Company Engine and Truck Company 2 | |
Training: A Critical Component of Volunteer Fire FightingTraining is a key component of any profession, and fire fighting is no different. Given the hazardous nature of the work, firefighting requires an even higher degree of dedication to training, not once or twice, but on a continuous basis. The Purcellville Volunteer Fire Company maintains the highest standards for such training and professional certification. Through its Training Committee, and with the oversight of its operational chain of command, continuously evaluates ways in which those standards may be enhanced or improved upon. All PVFC operational members must complete a basic training regime specified in the Company By-Laws (and described in the next section of this site) to be considered qualified for firefighting duties. It conducts additional in-house training and coordinates with Loudoun County Fire and Rescue to provide advanced training for each of its operational members. The Company also establishes its own special standards for such things as driver/operator, technician and master technician. All required training for state certification as a firefighter and/or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is offered and supervised by Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Services. PVFC provides all necessary personal firefighting equipment for training and fire-fighter duties in compliance with the applicable National, State, and County standards. Training requires the dedication of significant amounts of time and energy, at least initially. When added together an estimated 300+ hours over 90 days is required to complete the basic training required of new members. Such training is typically scheduled over a period of many months so that volunteers can plan their course work around job and family obligations. Generally, classes are taught two nights a week for three hours each and one weekend day, all day long. New members should not underestimate the time commitment necessary to complete this program, even if it is protracted over many months. It should also be noted that a candidate cannot be designed a firefighter and assist on fire scenes unless he or she successfully completes this training. View a summary of the required courses and time commitment. The Training Committee has designed a basic firefighter training program composed of two parts that is intended to prepare new members for this training and to support them while they are going through fire school. Part I is a basic orientation to firefighting and is designed to provide new members with enough exposure to be "cleared to ride" the apparatus and to be safe. Part II is a more advanced version of Part I and is designed to supplement the curriculum being taught in fire school. Progress through both these manuals is under the purview of the duty crew officer. View the Part I Manual and Part II Manual. |
Purcellville Volunteer Fire Company
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 386 Purcellville VA 20134 Physical Address: 500 N. Maple Ave Purcellville VA 20132 Non-Emergency Contact: 540-338-5961 |