Pennsylvania State Fire Academy

Recently Tom Cook, Pennsylvania State Fire Academy Administrator participated in a podcast with AFSO21 Radio, The Weekend Wrap-up. Tom shares with the audience how he got into the fire service and ultimately found his calling as the academy's Administrator. Tom shares what the academy does and how it's structured. Throughout the podcast, Tom and Kevin discuss various topics affecting the academy and Pennsylvania's emergency responders to include COVID-19, a recently voted on, state referendum regarding low-interest loans for fire departments, and of course training, something both individuals are extremely passionate about. Tom explains how firefighters receive their training in the Commonwealth and how the process is different from other states and agencies.

OSFC Statement on the May 18 Municipal Primary Referendum Act 2020-91: The Office of State Fire Commissioner would like to add some additional clarity to its ...position on the May 18th referendum that would make municipal fire and emergency medical service companies eligible for loans through what is currently known as the Volunteer Loan Assistance Program (VLAP). We agree that the inclusion of career departments in this program would greatly assist municipalities by providing an affordable funding mechanism for departments to acquire the modern equipment they need to keep communities safe. This recommendation, in fact, was part of the Senate Resolution 6 (SR6) Commission Report that our office was instrumental in preparing. It is imperative going forward that the firefighting community make their voices heard on this, and the other recommendations outlined in the SR6 Commission Report to ensure programs like VLAP will remain financially solvent. Learn more about the referendum: https://bit.ly/33GF5t8

HACC is proud to partner with PennTime to host the National Traffic Incident Management (TIM) - Train the Trainer course! Class size will be limited to 24. Please register for your preferred session using the links below (you only need to attend one of the two sessions). ... June 18 - 8:30-4 http://penntime.ticketleap.com/national-shrp2-tim-train-th/ July 31 - 8:30-4 https://penntime.ticketleap.com/national-shrp2-tim-train-t/

During the truck academy class, we had the opportunity to congratulate Upper Darby Professional Firefighters newest Deputy Chief Mark Morrissey! Chief Morrissey is one of many talented adjunct PA state fire academy instructors who are the best of the best in the business throughout Pennsylvania. On days that they aren’t home with their primary organizations, they’re in Lewistown making firefighters across the state better firefighters. Congratulations on your promotion to Deputy Chief Mark! You deserved it!

The instructor cadre just wrapped up two long days of Truck Academy One for a full class of 24 students. Crews spent two full days of all hands-on skills including forcible entry, vertical ventilation, horizontal ventilation, search, rescue, can drills, thermal imagers, ladders, and Vent-Enter-Search skills. On the afternoon of day 2, all the skills were put the test with scenarios including two buildings on fire with multiple victims trapped and four truck companies working simultaneously. To make the truck academy program successful, instructors actually put in a day setting up before the strenuous program and a day tearing down after all the students leave!

No cost to register... 2021 LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY will consist of 16 professional development classes and run from January 11, 2021 through March 3, 20...21. To receive the Leadership Academy Certificate, one must complete 80% of the classes being offered. (Visit our website training page for the flyer) We will on accept on-line registrations for the Leadership classes: (online form will be available soon) All classes will be online through St. Francis University

2021 Resident Training Calendar is now available! Take a look and make plans to attend the Academy next year for one of our great programs!

Truck Academy 2 came to a close last evening after crews ran six evolutions as first and second due trucks companies on a 4 story mid-rise. All personnel got to test the skills they were taught under time compression and stress with live smoke and fire. The emphasis of the program has always been to teach the skills and then make students put the skills to use as they see appropriate during the scenarios while making good decisions. As always during truck class, the only water flowed all week was from instructors on safety lines and truckies with pressurized water cans! Thanks to the students who took time away from their families and departments to expand their truck company skills and knowledge! We hope you had as much fun as we did.

On the drill grounds listening to the sounds of the morning as instructors prep equipment for the final day of Truck Academy 2.

Yesterday Truck Academy two started with the sun up and finished with the moon over the burn building as crews practiced cutting various style flat roof, venting a peaked roof from a ladder and tower, more difficult forcible entry techniques and HUD window removal, TIC search and rescues, door control demonstrations with live fire, and ladders for victim removal. We hope the students went home as happy as we did.