FCVFD - Incident Photos
Engine Company Indoctrination Exam - May 2002
click to view a larger version of each picture
Description
The culmination of several months of training took place on May 11, 2002, with the written and practical examination for 17 volunteer recruits. The recruits were given 75 written questions on topics ranging from general administrative information to specific tools carried on the apparatus. Following their written exam, the recruits were required to complete practical evolutions that tested their skills and ability to perform basic functions that may be required during emergency responses. These practical evolutions consisted of the following skills stations: stretcher bearing, oxygen administration, medical equipment identification, deploying and repacking the 100-foot attack line, deploying and repacking the 200-foot attack line, deploying and repacking 100 feet of supply line, pre-use inspection of self-contained breathing apparatus, donning and doffing of full personal protective equipment, and climbing 10 flights of stairs while wearing full personal protective equipment. Completing this phase of their training allowed the recruits to begin responding as members of a crew on an Engine Company or Medic Unit. Assistant Chief Jay Gremillion and Lieutenant Paul Schomburg spent a tremendous amount of time and energy organizing the exams. Jay Gremillion serves as the Assistant Volunteer Coordinator and has been tasked with organizing the training that volunteers receive. Paul Schomburg serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Arlington County Fire and Rescue Association and performs many different functions to allow the volunteers to contribute to the safety of the citizens of Arlington and Falls Church. This was the first time that volunteer recruits were subjected to formalized testing at the County-wide level. Previously, all indoctrination testing was performed at the individual fire stations by the volunteer and career staff at those stations.
Return to the Index
