Grand Junction Fire Department's Training Division

The Training Officer develops the annual training plan and budget, provideseducational and training opportunities, maintains training records and oversees certification programs.The goal of training is to provide fire department members with the knowledge, skills and abilities to support the mission of the Grand Junction Fire Department.

The Training Officer provides training to the Fire Department according to Federal, State, County, and City mandates. This is accomplished through training classes and activities scheduled for all personnel throughout the year. Current Fire Department personnel hold more than 600 individual certifications. These certifications are evidence that fire personnel have attained minimum competencies in the following areas of expertise: Emergency Medical Technician, Firefighter I and II, Driver/Operator Certification, Fire Service Instructor, Fire Officer I, and Hazardous Materials Awareness, Operations and Technician. Members are required to maintain these certifications throughout their career. They also must obtain a required number of continuing education hours in each discipline per year in order to renew their certifications.

Fire Personnel participated in 16,444 hours of training during 2008. Training was conducted in seven major areas: Firefighting, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Prevention, Investigations, Hazardous Materials, Specialized Rescue and miscellaneous training. Training has been able to use a large multi-story building to conduct hands-on training. This structure has enabled the Department to focus on improving basic firefighting skills in areas such as laying hose lines, search and rescue techniques using self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and ladder techniques.