Fire school celebrates milestone
CEDAR RAPIDS (September 13, 2016)-Kirkwood Community College in partnership with the Central Iowa Training Association (CITA) celebrates 30 years training firefighters and rescue service personnel from across the Midwest during CITA-Kirkwood Fire School, September 24 – 25.
The school is one of the largest in the state, offering two days of hands-on training at Kirkwood’s main campus. Courses offered reflect the issues of the times.
“Of course rescue vehicles and personal protective equipment have changed in the last thirty years,” said Kim Fensterman, Kirkwood program coordinator. “But, the role of firefighter has evolved to that of a first responder. Firefighters are versed in first aid, which requires certification training. In recent years our fire school focus has been firefighter safety. Today’s fires have enormous heat output and release more smoke than yesterday’s fires. Structures are more prone to early collapse.”
Fire School incorporates training at the college’s Environmental Training Center. Three acres of the center is a controlled site designated for hazardous materials handling. Training includes fire control techniques, various spill procedures, confined space entry and rescue and compressed gas release response. A fully instrumental burn building and maintenance lab complete the training center.
CITA-Kirkwood Fire school on average draws 800 students from Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin. To learn more about training visit www.kirkwood.edu/fireschool or call 800-332-8833.
*****EVENT*****
What: CITA-Kirkwood Fire School
When: September 24 & 25
Where: 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW
Time: Registration 7:30 – 8:45 a.m., Training 9 – 5 p.m.