Training Center
Welcome to AFPD's state-of-the-art training Center. The two and one-half acre site and 16,000 square foot building doubles as Fire Station 8 and the district’s primary training facility. The facility is provided with a 6 story training tower and repelling platform, a flashover simulator, 3 propane fueled training aids, 4 flammable liquid fire pits, a drafting pit, 4 fire hydrants, a 99 seat amphitheatre and a detached two story burn house with sprinkler and standpipe connections.
The responsibility of the Training Division is to design and implement programs through which Department members obtain and maintain the skills necessary to provide the safest and most effective emergency services to the community. We support the fire service and the community in fire safety training and education. This responsibility begins the day the new recruits start and continues throughout their careers.
The training program is divided into two basic parts, the recruit academy and the ongoing station training. In addition to these areas, the Training Division arranges a number of specialized training classes each year.
The recruit training is conducted during a 22-week academy. The academy is divided into emergency medical and fire sections. The emergency medical portion of the academy teaches the recruit the Department of Transportation First Responder program, American Heart Association CPR, and the use of the automatic external defibrillator. During this time the recruits have an opportunity to put their training to use on ambulance ride-alongs.
During the fire portion of the academy the recruit receives training in all aspects of structural firefighting, as well as vehicle extraction and hazardous material training to the awareness level. Upon successful completion of the academy and all testing procedures, the recruit is certified as a Fire Fighter I with IFSAC accreditation. Thirty-two recruits graduated from the recruit academy in 2000. They completed a total of 311 hours of training in:
- Structural Firefighting
- SCBA
- Hose Evolutions
- Haz-Mat
- Driver's Training
- EMS
The station trainings address basic firefighting skills and are designed to maintain and advance all fire ground skills, along with covering new equipment and new developments or techniques in fire fighting. One format is the squad training, a four-hour class taught each month on a different topic:
- Driver’s Training
- Combat Challenge
- Structural Firefighting
- Hose Evolutions
- SCBA
- Haz-Mat
- EMS
- Hose Test
The other format is station training. These trainings completed on a daily basis at each station. Topics include:
· Station/Area and Equipment Familiarization · Pump Operations · Truck Qualifications · Driver Training · Additional "In" Station Trainings In addition to the regular training classes, a number of extra and special team training classes were offered at the training center or at other facilities.
During 2000, the following training classes were offered to Department personnel:· EMT-B for 40 volunteer and career fire fighters · AED four-hour class and ninety-day skills check for 200 personnel · I.V. Certification for 35 department EMT's · Strategy and Tactics with Chief Jim Smith, Philadelphia Fire Department · Propane Emergencies, Train the Trainer, by the National Propane Council
The following special team training was also offered:· Ice Rescue · Swift Water · Hazardous Material · Technical Rescue · Child Car Seat Safety Program During 2000 State Certification tests were offered six times.
A total of 145 personnel received State Certification in the following areas: · Fire Fighter I - 30 · Fire Fighter II - 34 · Fire Officer I - 1 · Driver Operator - 3 · Haz-Mat Awareness - 7 · Haz-Mat Operations - 70
In an effort to provide the Department with up-to-date training and information on the latest technologies, attendance at several national training conferences has been encouraged. District personnel attended the following conferences during 2000: · FDIC (Fire Department Instructors Conference), Indianapolis, Indiana · CFIC (California Fire Instructors Conference), San Jose, California · IAFC (International Association of Fire Chiefs) Dallas, Texas · CSFA (Colorado State Fire Academy), Durango, Colorado
The Training Division also strives to serve as a resource to the fire community and the citizens of the Fire District. During 2000, a number of training programs for citizens were conducted at the training center. Citizen training included: · Camp 911, Pridemark Paramedics · Civil Air Patrol Safety Day · Fire Rescue Camp, Boy Scouts · Significant Others Academy · Jefferson County Youth Leadership Day
A number of outside agencies also utilized the training center. Agencies using the training center included: · Red Rocks Community College · Wheat Ridge Fire Department · Fairmount Fire Department · Aurora Fire Department · Adams - Jeffco Haz-Mat · Denver Regional Council of Governments · US Census Bureau · Pridemark Paramedics · Front Range Community College
Supports from the AFPD personnel have allowed the Training Division to fulfill its duty to the District and community. 2001 GOALS · Development and implementation of an Officer Development Program. · Outside speakers quarterly at the Training Center · A new SCBA maze · ISO compliance · Development of a Citizens Fire Academy
 |
When training in the 'burnhouse', instructors can set the scene for the building to be used as a 2-story building (all above ground) or a 1-story building with a basement. In the latter scenario, the firefighters who are training, will only use the two second level entrances and use the internal stairwell as if they were going into an underground basement. However, the instructors can use the two first level entrances as a means of access to the 'basement', greatly enhancing the safety aspects of the training. All window and door openings are covered with working, metal fixtures. These doors and 'windows' can be opened from either side, again adding to safety. The department uses search and rescue mannequins and some furniture to add, even more, to the realistic fireground atmosphere.
Up until a few years ago, the department used real 'fires and smoke' in this house to simulate fire conditions. However, because of the age of the burnhouse and the purchase of a Flashover Simulator for 'real fire trainings', the department now only uses theatrical smoke in this building. By doing this, the department expects to extend the life expectancy of the burnhouse.
The Arvada Fire Department's Burnhouse at the department's training center at 6651 Indiana St. in Arvada.
Back to the Stations page
Agency