Firefighter Training and Development

The Asheville Fire Department Safety and Training Division provides continuing education for members of the fire department through regular training programs.  The training staff is led by the Chief of Training.  The Training Division is charged with the responsibility of providing all initial recruit training and certification of Fire, Rescue and EMS.  The Training Division is also responsible for continuing education training and recertification of specialty training such as the Technical Rescue disciplines of Dive Rescue, Confined Space, High Angle and Swiftwater rescue.  The Training Division is responsible for providing both initial and continuing education for Emergency Vehicle Driving, Driver Operator Training, Haz Mat and Incident Command Training. Emergency Medical Technician or EMT continuing education training is delivered through the Safety and Training Division to ensure that all personnel meet state mandated training objectives.  The Training Division serves a diverse workforce of over 230 members including all ranks and divisions. The City of Asheville is a rapidly growing City, and the Asheville Fire Department does what is necessary to keep up with the diverse and ever changing emergency situations that may arise. 

The Safety and Training works with many different agencies throughout the state and region to deliver training.  We have a partnership agreement with AB Tech Community College to assist employees in obtaining an advanced degree in Fire Protection Technology.  We also work regularly with other local community colleges and universities such as UNCA, WCU, UNCC, and Fayetteville State.  The AFD Training Division is also a Direct Delivery Agency for NC Office of the State Fire Marshal and can deliver certification classes if needed.     

The Safety and Training Division manages and facilitates much of the training through the efforts of three Safety & Training Specialists who are assigned to shift operations.  The Safety & Training Division also works regularly with Health Services and Risk Management to ensure that we have as safe a work environment as possible.  We also work regularly with Human Resources on annual promotional processes, recruitment, and hiring processes.  Promotional processes for Senior Firefighter through Battalion Chief are managed and scheduled through the Training Division. 

 

 

ASHEVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT
COMBAT CHALLENGE TEAMS

 

About Our Team:

The Asheville Fire Department currently has 5 members who are competing in the 2011 Firefighter Combat Challenge season.  If you would like to help your local firefighters in their travels please attend upcoming fundraisers. If you would like to sponsor the AFD team, please contact Kelley Webb (828)251-4011.

Team Members:

 

2011 Women's Team
Joy Ponder	Ashley Hamilton
Kelley Webb	Sarah Gilgen	Haley Martin

 

 

2010 Women's Team
Karen Shuart
Ruth Olson
Kelley Webb
Joy Ponder
Mo Casey

 

2009 Combat Challenge Team Members
Women	Men
Karen Shuart	Patrick Crudup
Joy Ponder	Gary Shackelford
Kelley Webb	Rick Miller
Ashley Hamilton	Jason Worley

 

 

To view results or to learn more about the Combat Challenge visit firefighter-challenge.com

Women's Relay Team takes 2nd place in World Competition 2008	Men's Relay Team 2008	Men's Relay Team 2009

Fire Explorer

Learn first-hand how exciting a firefighter’s job is by becoming an Explorer with the Asheville Fire Department. Young men and women between the ages of 14 and 20, who are interested in a possible career in firefighting, are encouraged to learn more about how to become an Explorer and what it entails.  For more information please contact Lieutenant Robeson 828-259-5770 or Aaron Lunsford at 828-552-9307.

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Annual Requirements for AFD Firefighters NC RRS Annual Training Requirements

	Co. Training	Drills	Driver/Op Training	Officer Training	Hazmat Training	Preplan Training	Total
Officers	240	24	12	12	3	No minimum	291
New Engineers	240	24	40		3	No minimum	307
All others	240	24	12		3	No minimum	276

New Engineers= Any firefighter who became eligible to drive in the last year

Company Training= Single company training

Ex: Company level firefighting skills/tactics review, hose/hydrant testing, equipment review

Up to 12 hours of physical fitness training can count as Company Training

EMS training does not count as Company Training

Drills= Hands on evolutions with equipment being used

Ex: Scenario based training, NFPA 1410 drills

12 hours must be multi-company (need engine company and ladder/service company training together to count as multi-company)

6 hours must be night drills

Any of this type training above 24 hours counts as Company Training

Driver/Operator Training= Any training involving apparatus operation

Ex: Certification classes, driver training, pump training

Officer Training= Company officer and above

Ex: Fire Science Curriculum courses, officer development, officer meetings

Officers count any of this type training over 12 hours as Company Training

Non-officers count all of this type training as Company Training

Hazmat Training= Any training related to hazardous materials

Any of this type training above 3 hours counts as Company Training

Preplan Training= Any training related to preplans or area familiarization

No minimum requirement, however the more hours in this category the better

BC EMS Quality Management Committee Training Requirements

	Medical	Trauma	Pediatrics	Electives	Total
EMTs	4	4	4	12	24

Electives= Rescue, Hazmat, or any other type of training that reasonably is used to increase the quality of EMS delivery.

All NC Response Rating System (ISO) training requirements above from the Company Training category will fit into the elective category

Contact Info

For more information, please contact training officer:

Chief Hendren
Phone: (828) 259-5646
E-mail: bhendren@ashevillenc.gov.