More than 150 career and volunteer firefighters from more than 50 fire agencies (city and tribal fire departments, fire districts, and wildland) throughout the state were at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem this weekend for the State's annual Winter Fire School.
Typically, each February the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) hosts Winter Fire School at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem. The previous two years were regrettably cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic, but DPSST was thrilled to provide this weekend of classes once again.
Nine classes were offered by the National Fire Academy, DPSST, Illinois Fire Service Institute, and the City of Dallas Fire & EMS Department. A wide range of topics were offered that included leadership, hands-on, and wildland. Courses included Incident Safety Officer, Leadership in Supervision: Creating Environments for Professional Growth, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Fire & Emergency Services Instructor II, Basic Company Officer, Basic Engine Company Operations, National Wildland Coordinating Group (NWCG) S-200 Initial Attack Incident Commander, NWCG S-215 Fire Operations in the Wildland Urban Interface, Mastering Command and Control of Emergency Incidents, and Vehicle Extrication.
DPSST Fire Program Manager Julie Olsen said “Winter Fire School is a combination of energy, effort, and enthusiasm from our program staff who make the event happen and the dedicated firefighters who make the effort to attend each year. The event is offered free of charge and always over the weekend to accommodate the Oregon fire service which is majority volunteer. We are proud to provide this training and look forward to our Spring Fire School on April 15th and 16th.”