RFD offers firefighter course to volunteers
By Staff
Melissa Cason
Franklin County only has one paid fire department.
The rest are volunteers who give their time in order to make a difference in their own communities. The Russellville Fire Department is working to ensure these men and women have the skills needed to help those in need, and possibly save themselves.
Lt. Justin Green is the instructor for the course, which covers basic emergency medical skills, to recognize hazardous materials, who to notify of hazardous materials, and emergency response guidelines.
"The course together is 200 hours beginning with first responders course," Green said.
The course is broken down into 40-hour blocks with breaks in between each block. There will be tests administered for the first responder's and HAZMAT certification at the end of those sections.
"Once they pass the HAZMAT and first responder's test, they are certified in those areas," Green said.
The rest of the course will be dedicated to learning firefighter skills, which includes everything from fire behavior to vehicle extrication. The course is expected to end next spring.
"At the end of the class, the participants will be certified firefighters, which will help their departments," Green said.
Green said there are 20 participants in the class from departments throughout the county.
"We have firefighters from as far west as Belgreen to as far east as East Franklin," Green said.
Green said this course would not have been possible without the support of Sen. Roger Bedford.
"We would like to thank Sen. Roger Bedford for donating the money to buy the HAZMAT A&O and Firefighter 160 books," Green said. "This is valuable training they will get so that they can save themselves or others. We'd also like to thank Sen. Bedford for his continued support of our department."
The course is being offered through the Franklin County Firefighter's Association, and is still open to firefighters who have their first responder's course behind them. For more information on this course, call332-8761.
