(Part 1 of 2 part series about firefighters on-going training and service to the community)
In emergency services, standing still is not an option.
Buildings change. Construction materials evolve. Fire behavior changes. Vehicle technology changes. Medical research advances. Codes, laws, and safety standards continue to develop every year. For the firefighters of Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District, staying current with those changes is not viewed as optional — it is viewed as a responsibility to the community.
Recently, Division Chief of Training Jeremy Neel was sent by Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District (NRFPD) to the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) International in Indianapolis, Indiana, to attend one of the world’s largest fire service training conferences, alongside instructors and fire officers from more than 55 countries and over 35,000 fire service professionals and experts from around the world.
The conference focused on the newest developments in firefighting tactics, rescue operations, firefighter health and safety, emergency medical response, leadership, and hands-on training.
For a small coastal fire district like NRFPD, the investment is significant, but district leadership believes remaining current with modern fire service practices is critical to protecting both firefighters and the public.
“The fire service changes constantly,” said Division Chief Jeremy Neel. “The way buildings are built changes. The materials inside those buildings change. Fire behavior changes. Medical science changes. Vehicle construction changes. Rescue equipment changes. If we are going to ask our firefighters to perform in dangerous environments, then we owe it to them and to our community to make sure they have the most current knowledge, training, and equipment possible.”
Over the past several years, NRFPD has steadily worked to modernize its training systems, operational readiness, firefighter health programs, and safety standards throughout the district’s six fire stations.
The district now places a major emphasis on consistent, measurable training standards across both its career and volunteer divisions. NRFPD puts on nearly 500 hours annually of hands-on training, instruction, and continuing education classes.
“We annually test the skills of our volunteer and career members to make sure their skills are ready when an emergency strikes,” said Neel. “We have what we call IPSs and CPSs, Individual Performance Standards and Company Performance Standards. These are systems that help ensure that even if firefighters haven’t worked together recently on a specific skill, everyone still knows what is expected, how we operate together, and what their role is on scene.”
That consistency allows emergency scenes to be managed more efficiently and safely while improving coordination between firefighters arriving from different stations, shifts, or volunteer staffing groups.
“This is what allows small departments to operate at a high level,” Neel said. “You build consistency. You build trust. You build muscle memory. When everyone understands the expectations before the emergency happens, operations become safer, smoother, and more effective.”
NRFPD has also been working with the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) and OSHA to strengthen firefighter safety programs and operational compliance throughout the district.
NRFPD continues improving station safety, firefighter training systems, annual competency testing, and operational procedures while working toward the implementation of numerous National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards used throughout the fire service industry nationwide.
NFPA, founded in 1896, develops nationally recognized safety standards related to firefighting, emergency operations, electrical systems, building safety, and firefighter health.
“We believe standards matter,” Neel said. “Having a professional baseline for training, safety, and operations is important. It clarifies expectations so our firefighters know what is expected of them, and reassures our community that we are working hard to provide the level of service they deserve.”
For more about Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District, go to https://www.nrfpdor.gov/