When it comes to firefighting, one of the few routine things is shift change.
Firefighters are often confronted with treacherous, unpredictable situations where lives are on the line, making adequate and accessible training a necessity.
Industrial Fire and Rescue is creating a Regional Training Center to help aspiring and seasoned firefighters gain the skills they need to feel confident in the field.
“Even though we have experienced guys (and girls) out here, we want to continue to enhance the training side and that’s going to help us in our response,” IFR Station Manager Neal Austin said.
The station has responded to 110 calls since it opened in October, providing swift response times to the 30 industries it serves in and around the industrial park.
Paramedics at the station are also advanced life support certified, equipping them with supplies such as intravenous fluids, splints for broken bones and prescription painkillers.
“Instead of having to wait for the ambulance to respond … there’s things that we can do on scene that help people get back to work sooner,” Austin said.
Classes taken at the IFR Regional Training Center will be taught by certified firefighters who act as adjunct professors. Some opportunities include training with live burn buildings, specialized rescues and enhanced medical training.
“Instead of our local firemen always having to go to Jackson, they can get good quality training here that is local,” Austin said.
Lowndes County Volunteer Fire Coordinator Jim Robbins said live fire training is vital for volunteer firefighters, especially young men who have little field experience.
“We have really excellent emergency services in Lowndes County, and this is just going to be another tool in our toolbox,” Robbins said.
Full certifications are only awarded through the state, however, classes taught at the regional training center can help firefighters work toward certification, completing some of the requirements locally.
Columbus Fire Chief Charles Yarbrough said he looks forward to partnering with IFR, sending instructors and helping them out in any way he can.
“I think it’s going to have a great impact on this side of central north Mississippi,” Yarbrough said. “Without a doubt I think it’s something that’s much needed and long overdue.”
The training center is in its “infant stages,” as Austin puts it, and the next step is to pave roads and paths before props can be brought in.
“I’m expecting things to start really kicking off towards the fall,” Austin said. “We’re (just) laying it out now and getting things going.”
Prices are not set yet, but Austin said participant fees will primarily fund the program.
IFR is open to partnering with area businesses that want to see the training center succeed, Austin said.
“The gamut is wide open,” Austin said. “We’re looking for partners that will step in with us, but the first thing we felt like we needed to do is get a location set up and start the ball rolling.”
Getting hands-on training is a big hurdle, Austin said, and he hopes the training center will help to circumvent that.
“We want to lead the charge in having the best trained firefighters and emergency responders in our region,” Austin said. “ … We want to take charge and try to lead the way.”
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
