November 2024 ALABAMA FIRE COLLEGE CONGRATS!
AFC CLOSURES
Thanksgiving: November 27-29
Christmas & New Year holidays: December 24-January 1
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr.’s Birthday: January 20
www.alabamafirecollege.org/events
ALABAMA FIRE SERVICE BRIEFING
hosted by the Alabama Fire College
December 10 @ 10 am
Join us to discuss upcoming events, issues, and statewide reports on topics impacting the fire service in Alabama. Anyone involved in the Alabama fire service is welcome! This online briefing occurs on the second Tuesday of the month. Visit www.alabamafirecollege.org/events for more information.
PERSONNEL STANDARDS & EDUCATION COMMISSION
Work Session: January 21 @ 12:30pm
Meeting: January 22 @ 9am
Personnel Standards & Education Commission work sessions and meetings are open for public attendance. Meetings dates and other information can be found at www.alabamafirecollege.org/commission.
FIRE CHIEFS CONFERENCE
ISO Class: February 10
Conference: February 11-12
www.alabamafirecollege.org/conference
Sgt. Jonathan Ledbetter, Oneonta Fire & Rescue Captain Drake Award, AFA
Oneonta Fire & Rescue announced that Sgt. Jonathan Ledbetter was honored with the Captain Drake Award by the Alabama Firefighters Association. The Captain Drake Award, established in 1999, is given annually for exemplary performance in the fire service. Jonathan serves as the Community Risk Reduction Officer for Oneonta and is also the Alabama Fire College Program Manager for the Get Alarmed, Alabama! smoke alarm initiative
Employees of the Quarter: Jim Terrell & Toby Rigsby
Executive Director Matt Russell and Commission Chair Scott Pilgreen presented the Employee of the Quarter awards to Jim Terrell and Toby Rigsby (not pictured) at the October Commission meeting Toby & Jim are Program Managers for the Peer Support program and work tirelessly to promote peer support and mental health resources to firefighters all over the state. Keep up the good work!
ALABAMA TOBACCO QUITLINE
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Alabama.
Reducing smoking is a proven way to help people live longer, healthier lives Approximately 618,100 Alabamians currently use tobacco, with an estimated 63 percent desiring to quit The Alabama Department of Public Health’s Tobacco Prevention and Control Program is pleased to share free resources to help you quit tobacco use
The Alabama Tobacco Quitline offers free resources to any Alabama resident interested in quitting their tobacco habit Services include free one-on-one coaching through telephone calls, texts, and online resources Participants who enroll in the coaching program can receive, if medically eligible, up to eight
weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy patches to assist in quitting According to the American Cancer Society’s Guide to Quitting, the use of Quitline coaching and nicotine replacement medication, when used in combination, can more than double the chances of quitting. Because quit attempts are different for everyone, certified coaches are there for the entire quit duration to walk tobacco users through the process. Coaching sessions are accessible 7 days a week, from 6 am to midnight, to encourage and support a successful quit. Sessions are easy to schedule and typically last 15 to 20 minutes.
We know quitting can be difficult, and we are here to help. Let the Quitline be a place to turn to for help and support. For more information, visit us at QUITNOWALABAMA.com, call 1-800-Quit-Now (1-800-748-8669), or text Quit to 205-900-2550 to enroll.
Submitted by the Alabama Department of Public Health
DASHBOARD HOW-TO: Instructors, this one’s for you!
To access your classes, select the beside your name, and then Instructor Classes. This will show you any classes where you are listed as Lead or Assistant Instructor. This will also allow you to:
review class details. review and export a class roster. send an email to all students in active and upcoming classes. change the number of reserved seats, the number of maximum seats, and the class start time. withdraw students.
PEER SUPPORT AWARENESS
1 hour / online / on-demand
This behavioral health awareness online course will educate students regarding critical incident stress management and peer support, signs and symptoms of behavioral and emotional distress, the benefits of psychological support and education, understanding mental health diagnosis and treatment, and suicide awareness. This course meets the prerequisite for the following courses:
Fire Fighter I/II
Peer Support Member
TRP: Rope Awareness & Operations Rescue
Volunteer Fire Fighter
Upcoming Course Vacancies through March 2025
Upcoming Course Vacancies through March 2025
WEEKEND CLASSES FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTERS
The following classes are offered to Alabama VFFs on a weekend-based schedule. Tuition is waived; student is responsible for books. Call 1(800)241-2467 to register.
Fire Officer I: January 11, 12, 25, 26
Fire Investigator: February 8, 9, 22, 23
Technical Rescue Personnel: Rope Rescue Awareness & Operations: March 8, 9, 22, 23
Technical Rescue Personnel: Common Passenger Vehicle Rescue Awareness, Operations, and Technician: April 12, 13, 26, 27
Fire Apparatus Operator: Mobile Water Supply: May 3-4
Fire & Emergency Services Instructor I: June 7, 8, 21, 22
Fire & Emergency Services Instructor II: July 12, 13, 26, 27
Fire Apparatus Operator: Pumper: August 9, 10, 23, 24
Fire Officer II: September 3, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24, 27, and 30; via Zoom.
NFA CLASSES
Best Practices in Community Risk Reduction: January 27-28
Decision Making for Initial Company Operations: March 8-9
Strategies and Tactics for Initial Company Operations: April 28-29
Preparation for Initial Company Operations: July 26-27
Youth Firesetter Program Manager: September 22-23
www.alabamafirecollege.org | 1.800.241.2467
Published 7-5-24. Subject to change. Visit our website for the most current info.
Attention Fire Departments!
Do you have stories of lives saved by smoke alarms? We want to hear from you! We're working on a project to highlight the incredible impact smoke alarms have in our communities. If your department has documented cases where a smoke alarm alerted residents to a fire and saved lives, please share them with us. Your stories could inspire others to install or check their smoke alarms and make a real difference in fire safety. Email your documented saves to smokealarms@alabamafirecollege.org. Let's work together to spread the word about the importance of smoke alarms!
G E T A L A R M E D !
Safe-T-Zone is presented by experienced Alabama Power line workers and designed with firefighters, police officers, and volunteer firefighters in mind. The custom-built trailer uses primary and secondary voltage to show the potential dangers of overhead and underground power lines. Topics Covered
- Consequences of pulling a meter at a house fire - Substation fires - Generator backfeed - Downed power lines - Line on vehicle - Step Potential
Next Presentation Date (See Registration link below):
December 2, 2024 | 9am-10am & 11am-12pm
Town Center Park, 712A Saraland Blvd. South, Saraland, AL 36571 Registration Link
For more information, contact
800-806-SAFE (7233)
NFPA Public Education News
November is Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month. Get CO resources and download the Keeping Your Community Safe with Carbon Monoxide Alarms toolkit which offers consumers valuable safety tips for protecting their families from CO. There are resources, in English and Spanish, for fire departments and public safety educators to help spread awareness in their communities about CO safety. For materials from NCOAA visit https://www.ncoaa.us/co-awareness-month-2024.
The Injury Free Coalition for Kids encouraged participation in National Injury Prevention Day on November 18, 2024 Did you know that injuries are the leading cause of death and disability for people ages 1-44? Many injuries are PREVENTABLE using safety practices, products, policies, and with your help. Programs like NFPA’s Learn Not to Burn teach kids to recognize and avoid fire risks and injuries, helping them lead fuller and more productive lives. #BEINJURYFREE
Join Sparky in this new animated video. The critters are learning about fire safety In this animated video, kids will follow the critters as they head to the fire station to meet Sparky the Fire Dog® and learn all about smoke alarms and having a home fire escape plan. Their adventure also takes them to Bunny’s house to practice what they’ve learned including always looking for two ways out and getting outside quickly to their family’s meeting place. This video is great to watch in the classroom, at home or at a fire safety event. Have families develop and practice their own home fire escape plan afterwards.
Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires with more than 3x the daily average. Download and share cooking resources with your community. Print the Sight Words and Fire Safety fall activity sheet for the kids’ table at Thanksgiving dinner. Kids will reveal a fire safety message from Sparky using sight words and a color code. Check out spaky.org for Thanksgiving Conversation Starters
The nomination period for the 2025 Wildfire Mitigation Awards is now open! A #WMA is the highest national honor for outstanding work and significant program impact in wildfire preparedness and mitigation. Learn more: https://www.stateforesters.org/wildfire-mitigation.
On October 8, NFPA Vice President of Outreach & Advocacy Lorraine Carli spoke about the importance of codes and standards at the U.S. Fire Administrator’s Summit on Fire Prevention and Control. Learn more about Carli's testimony.
Webinar: Environmental Impact of Lithium-Ion Battery Incidents Compared to Other Types of Fires
December 12, 2024, 9am Central / Register now!
A package of Carbon Monoxide Alarms Brochures provide an excellent community education and awareness tool, helping people understand how carbon monoxide (CO) is produced in and around the home the dangers it poses symptoms of CO poisoning and facts about when CO poisoning occurs most, and how often it occurs in the home. (4-color, Package of 100, Adults)
Jefferson County is taking bold steps to address a critical need in its emergency medical services (EMS) sector. To help meet this challenge and strengthen the EMS workforce, the Jefferson County Commission, in collaboration with the United Way of Central Alabama, is offering a tuition-free training program for individuals pursuing certification as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (AEMTs), and Paramedics.
Addressing the EMS Shortage
The shortage of qualified EMTs, AEMTs, and paramedics in Jefferson County has been a growing concern, made worse by the demands of the COVID-19 crisis With emergency medical professionals working tirelessly on the front lines, the need for new recruits has never been greater This new initiative offers a valuable opportunity for individuals interested in entering the EMS field, ensuring that Jefferson County has a steady pipeline of qualified, trained personnel ready to serve the community.
Thanks to the partnership between the Jefferson County Commission and the United Way of Central Alabama, the cost of tuition and necessary supplies will be covered for eligible individuals. This scholarship program is available for those who live in Jefferson County or work in Jefferson County in the EMS field, and are admitted into an EMS program at Alabama Fire College. Programs include training for EMTs, AEMTs, and Paramedics. This initiative is designed to help reduce financial barriers for prospective EMS professionals and accelerate their path to certification and employment
Who is Eligible?
To take advantage of this opportunity, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Be a legal U.S. resident, 18 years or older
Live in Jefferson County OR be employed within the county in the EMS field
Have a high school diploma or GED
Be currently enrolled in an EMS program at Alabama Fire College
Complete a scholarship application
Funding and Support
This workforce development initiative is supported, in part, by federal funds through the U S Department of the Treasury The Jefferson County Commission received a federal award (SLFRP1176) to help fund this important program, which is a vital part of the county's ongoing recovery efforts from the pandemic
Curriculum & Certification News
NFPA 1030 (In process)
These new programs roll out January 1, 2025!
Public Information Officer: Pilot completed August 2024
First Responder Inspector: New program, Pilot completed September 2024
Fire Inspector: New program, Pilot completed September 2024
Per ICC, the AFC partnership will continue to use the current process for the Fire Inspector courses
Fire Plans Examiner: Pilot completed October 2024
Fire and Life Safety Educator I and II:
Pilot completed November 2024
Learn more:
www.alabamafirecollege.org/newsletters
NEXT UP:
NFPA 1010
Fire Support Person (new level)
Fire Fighter I and Fire Fighter II
Fire Fighter II (includes: Volunteer Fire Fighter, Fire Fighter I/II, Fire Fighter I/II Bridge, Fire Fighter I Recertification, Fire Fighter Reciprocity)
Marine Fire Fighter
Airport Fire Fighter
Fire Apparatus Operator courses: EVD, Pumper, Aerial, Mobile Water Supply, ARFF
NFPA 1081
Facility Fire Brigade courses
NFPA 1550
Fire Department Safety Officer: Health and Safety Officer
Fire Department Safety Officer: Incident Safety Officer
FEBRUARY 10-13
www.alabamafirecollege.org/conference
You know the direction you want to go to pursue a meaningful career in emergency medicine or the fire service. We want to see you achieve that goal.
Although the Alabama Fire College does not offer scholarships or financial aid, we have compiled resources that may assist with funding your education. Scan the QR code to visit our webpage dedicated to outside resources.
Disclaimer: The opportunities listed on the webpage do not serve as an endorsement or advertisement of any program or entity. While we strive to provide accurate information, the details of these external scholarship opportunities may change without notice. Users are encouraged to verify the validity and current status of any scholarship before applying. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided
We also strongly encourage you to verify with the specific scholarship entity that the Alabama Fire College would qualify for the award. Scholarships marked with a red verification badge have been confirmed by our staff as an approved educational institution by the awarding entity.
Volunteer Rescue Student Tuition Reimbursement Program
INCLUDES ALL THREE LEVELS: EMT, ADVANCED EMT, & PARAMEDIC
Each year, emergency medical service agencies in Alabama hire more than 300 Emergency Medical Services Personnel (EMSP)s to offer life-saving support to their communities. In addition to these paid openings, the more than 900 volunteer fire departments and rescue squads in Alabama also rely on certified and committed EMSPs to meet their community needs The State of Alabama created the Volunteer Rescue Student Tuition Reimbursement Program (Act 2018-524) in 2018 and modified the program in 2023 (Act 2023-353). The legislation allows for students who obtain their EMT, Advanced EMT, and Paramedic certification from an Alabama Community College, the Alabama Fire College, or the University of South Alabama to be reimbursed their tuition costs for the training.
COMMIT
In order to qualify for the Volunteer Rescue Student Tuition Program, the applicant must commit – and show verification of a commitment – to at least two years of service to a volunteer fire or rescue squad. This increases the worker’s experience and helps local communities
