MFRI ANNUAL REPORT REDESIGN

“For the past 90 years,

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Michael E. Cox, Jr., MS, CFO, EFO, NRP Executive Director

has

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As another year at the Institute comes to a close, I want to take a moment to thank all of our faculty, staff, students and instructors for making fiscal year 2023 another remarkable year at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI) of the University of Maryland. These individuals have continued to make MFRI a household name as a premier emer. gency services training agency locally, national.ly and globally. I am truly proud to be associated with an organization filled with so many gifted peo.ple, whose never-ending drive and commitment brought fearless ideas, new innovations and a level of excellence to the more than 34,000 members of the emergency response communities that we had the pleasure of serving this year.

This year also marked a transformational time at the Institute as we began numerous new initiatives, such as the establishment of a customer-centered stra.tegic planning process; the piloting of a new EMT program to help improve success rates across the state; and the establishment of Pearson VUE testing centers at the headquarters facility located in Col.lege Park, and all six regional training centers state.wide. We are also at the early stages of planning a capital renovation project at the Western Maryland Regional Training Center.

Similarly, MFRI has maintained its status at the fore.front of emergency services education, research and development through the pursuit of new infor.mation, tools and equipment. Through partnerships with our campus associates at the School of Public Health, Center for Firefighter Safety Research and Development, Small Smart System Center and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate, we have continued our efforts to raise awareness of emerging issues, enhance operational safety, and improve of educa.tional experiences in the Institute’s program deliv.eries.

As we embark upon 2020, we will continue to strive for newer technologies, improve programs, and dif.ferent delivery models that will ultimately help to create additional opportunities for the growth and knowledge of the men and women who unselfishly serve their communities day in and day out. Like. wise, guided by our new strategic plan, the Institute will continue to foster new ideas, innovations, and collaborations to enhance and expand its services as we continue to prepare our emergency services providers through sound educational programs to successfully mitigate whatever type of incident they may be faced with in the future.

VISION STATEMENT

The Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute is and will continue to be a premier emergency services training and education organization by developing and delivering high-quality training. MFRI will constantly evolve to address developing trends and needs in emergency services training.

The Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute is the state’s training and education system for all-hazard responses. The Institute plans, researches, develops, and delivers quality programs to prepare agencies and individuals to protect life, property, and the environment.

YEAR IN REWIND

NEW TOOLS, EQUIPMENT

& PROPS

Using funds awarded from the 2017 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), MFRI’s Logistical Support Section (LSS) purchased various fire training props, including a Mobile Hazmat Rollover Trainer. The grant is sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security.

The new fire training props, which consist of a paint locker, electric motor, barbeque pit, dumpster, fuel spill and propane cylinders, were installed at MFRI’s Lower Eastern Shore and Western Maryland Regional Training Centers. These new training tools are the closest things to simulating a real-life environment that our students will face in the line of duty.

Weighing over 7,000 pounds, the Mobile HazMat Rollover Trainer is used as a key component in the Institute’s Hazardous Materials courses. The mobile training tool is equipped with ports, panels and valves simulating a realistic gas or liquid leak. The tank has the ability to rotate 90 degrees, teaching students how to patch a leak from the side or bottom panel of the tank. It is also equipped with a generator and air compressor simulating a hazardous materials spill.

In addition to the seven newly purchased props, LSS team members refurbished its existing rope rescue mobile laboratory, outfitting it with new ropes, carabiners, harnesses, Aztek devices and rigging kits with everything needed for a rope system.

MFRI BECOMES PEARSON

VUE TESTING CENTER

MFRI joined the growing list of authorized testing centers in Maryland to deliver the National Registry of Emergen cy Medical Technicians (NREMT) cognitive examination. In 2014, the state moved to adopt the National Registry for those seeking certification as emergency medical technicians and emergency medical responders. Prior to the National Registry certification, testing was a part of the structured class schedule. After the NREMT testing was initiated, students were faced with existing testing centers that were not conducive to their schedules. The launch of these testing centers will ensure the exam ination will once again become part of the EMT class schedule, alleviating scheduling conflicts and other road blocks students were experiencing.

Two regional training test centers are currently in oper ation, hosting 15 test takers, including the headquarters office hosting 30. The remaining three centers are sched uled to be in operation by February 2020.

INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS

C-THRU TECHNOLOGY

MFRI was the host location for Avon Protection and Qwake Tech nologies “voice of the custom er” research and development product demonstration. Repre sentatives from both companies shared their SCBA adapted with mask-mounted camera equipped with C-THRU thermal imaging. As sisted by MFRI’s Logistical Support Section, MFRI instructors and fire fighters from Annapolis, Howard,

Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, they conducted live-fire evolutions in the burn building to test how well the apparatus would perform against the battling an environment filled with smoke and heat. Participants paired up to compare Avon and Qwake’s equipment alongside thermal im aging cameras that are currently being used by fire service organi zations around the region.

Firefighter David McGill gets a tutorial of the thermal imaging camera from a Qwake Technology representative.

“Always dream.

Continue to work hard”

First Lady Yumi Hogan

Maryland’s First Lady Yumi Hogan visited MFRI’s headquarters on July 15, 2019, to extend an official “Maryland welcome” to the first responders of the Gyeonggi-Do Fire and Disaster Headquarters (GFDH) from the Republic of Korea. The 12-member the team spent seven weeks receiving EMS, fire, rescue and hazardous materials training from MFRI’s Special-mem ber Programs Section. Her first time visiting MFRI, Mrs. Hogan received greetings from the University of Maryland, College Park President Wallace Loh. “She is a wonder ful representative for Maryland,” said Loh. Hogan shared words of encouragement to the GFDH del egation. “Always dream. Contin ue to work hard,” said Hogan. “My husband and I are one of the big gest supporters of first respond ers.” Following her remarks, Hogan

graciously took questions from the audience, including those from the delegation who were curi ous about how she has remained true to her Korean traditions as Maryland’s First Lady. Hogan was presented with an Asian painting and a portrait of her with her hus band Governor Larry Hogan from the GFDH delegation as a token of their appreciation for her visit.

“I’m very happy to have you visit with us. We’ve met so many Korean Americans since been here, but we are so honored to have met you,” said Lt. Haeja Kim, GFDH. Hogan’s visit comes after a series of events MFRI sponsored for the delegation during their stay in College Park. “I appreciate Mrs. Hogan taking time out of her busy schedule to visit with us and offer her kind remarks to our guests,” said Cox.

STATE & FEDERAL ACTIVITIES

CSFI Day at MFRI

In its 26th year, MFRI hosted this unique event in partnership with the Congressional Fire Services Institute to educate members of Congress on the importance of supporting legislation benefiting the fire and emergency services. Over 70 Congressional staffers, University of Maryland personnel and invited guests attended the event to experience the drills and training firefighters undergo to prepare for the rigors of their profession. With the assistance from local departments, participants traversed through a confined space maze, used tools for an auto extrication, viewed a live-burn demonstration, extinguished flammable liquid fires and ascended 100 feet in an aerial platform.

Prince George’s Professional Fire Fighters Fire Ops 101

Thirty-five of Maryland’s lawmakers attended the third annual In ternational Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Fire Ops 101 at MFRI’s headquarters sponsored by IAFF Prince George’s County, MD Local 1619.

The event is a partnership with Prince George’s County Professional Fire Fighters, Montgomery County 1664, Annapolis Local 1926, Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service and the Annapolis Fire Department. Attendees included Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski and state delegates, senators and officials from Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. They viewed a live burn, traversed through a confined space maze.

Maryland’s Congressmen visit MFRI

Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), met with MFRI students and staff during his tour of the College Park facility on October 1, 2018. Hoyer is the current House Majority Whip and serves as the co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04), experienced what it’s like to be a firefighter during his visit on October 11, 2018.

photo: top (l to r) MFRI Executive Director Michael Cox, UMD President Wallace Loh, Congressman Steny Hoyer and Fire Chief Benjamin Barksdale (ret.) in front of the flammable liquids pit.

STUDENT OF THE YEAR

Kaylah Smothers was awarded the 2018 MFRI Stu dent of the Year on Feb. 22 at what she thought was a county association meeting with the Washing ton County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association in Hagerstown, Md. Smothers was nominated by her EMT instructor Bev Witmer, who described her as an exceptional student and leader who is patient, kind and approachable.

During her junior year at Washington County Technical High School in Hag erstown, Smothers joined the school’s fire and rescue academy. She believes it was the best decision she ever made.

The two-year cadet program, which is a partnership with MFRI and the Wash ington County Volunteer Fire and Res cue Association, is offered to students who desire to be employed in the fire and emergency services field. The cur

riculum provides real-life training of fire, rescue and hazardous materials skills and techniques that are currently used in the field.

The budding firefighter graduated from the Oliver Robert Dubé Fire and Rescue Training Academy in August with the Loudoun County Department of Fire and Rescue in Leesburg, Virginia. She also vol unteers with the Halfway Volunteer Company.

SMOTHERS

INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR

“What makes Tom remarkable is thatnotonlydoeshepossessan impeccable instructional record, but he has remained active in the development of our numerous emergency services programs at the institute” said Michael Cox, MFRI executive director.

(l to r) Michael Cox, executive director; Pat Marlatt, assistant director; Thomas Harmon; Steve Cox, assistant director; and Eric Peterson, vice chair of the MFSPQB

Thomas A. Harmon was honored as the 2019 Francis L. Brannigan In structor of the Year. Since becoming a field instructor in 1994, Harmon has taught classes totaling over 11,000 instructional hours. He has taught MFRI courses including Fire Officer I-IV, Health & Safety Officer Pro grams, Aircraft Rescue Firefighting, Pumping Apparatus Driver/Opera tor and Safety Officer.

Tom possesses an impeccable in structional record, and has re mained active in the development of numerous emergency services

program. Even when he’s not teach ing, he can always be found provid ing assistance to other instructors on program and curriculum devel opment.

The award was first established in 1977 by the Chesapeake Society of Fire and Rescue Instructors, is now jointly presented by MFRI and the Maryland Fire Service Personnel Qualifications Board (MFSPQB) in recognition of an individual or a group’s contribution to the EMS fire and rescue training and education in Maryland.

REGIONAL TRAINING CENTERS

In addition to our headquarters in College Park, Mary land, MFRI provides state-of-the-art fire, rescue, and emergency medical training programs throughout the state of Maryland. MFRI’s faculty and staff is supported by over 700 state-certified instructors who deliver pro grams through site-specific mobile training, or at any of the regional training centers.

LESTC

Princess Anne

The Lower Eastern Shore Regional Training Center serves Wicomico, Worcester, Corchester and Somerset Counties.

UESTC

Centreville, MD

NERTC Edgewood, MD

The North Eastern Regional Training Center serves Hartford, Cecil, and Baltimore Counties and Baltimore City.

The Upper Eastern Shore Regional Training Center serves Kent, Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Talbot and Anne Arudel Counties.

WMRTC Cresaptown, MD

SMRTC La Plata, MD

The Southern Mary land Regional Train ing Center serves Calvert, Charles St. Mary’s and Prince George’s Counties.

NCRTO Mount Airy, MD

The North Central Regional Training Office serves Carroll, Fredrick, Howard, and Mont gomery Counties.

The Western Maryland Regional Training Center Serves Allegany, Garrett, and Wash ington Counties.

Designed By: Dayna Brown

RY LAND

AND RESCUEINSTI TUTE