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Training
Introduction
The Training and Safety Officer of the Orland Fire Protection District is responsible for the delivery of emergency response training and education programs for members of the department, other outside agencies, and the members of the community. The goal of the Training Division is to ensure that the men and women of the Orland Fire Protection District are well-trained and prepared to respond to any emergency. To achieve our training goals, the Orland Fire Protection District staffs a Lieutenant to work Monday-Friday as the Training and Safety Officer for the District. This day assignment allows for a more consistent approach in the management and delivery of our training program. The focus of the Orland Fire Protection District’s Training Program for our personnel is to provide a realistic, pertinent, and safe training environment for members of our organization and our guests. The Orland Fire Protection District will continue to strive towards the growth and development of our personnel, while maintaining a state-of-the-art training facility for our Firefighters and Paramedics.
Training & Life Safety Officer Lieutenant Mike Siefert
2021 Training Overview
The Orland Fire Protection District certifies our personnel to the standards set forth by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshall. The certification and recertification program established by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshall manages a program of training and certification that has developed standards, utilizing input from State Certification Advisory Committee members for training, testing and certifying all levels of firefighting. In 2021, members of the Orland Fire Protection District earned 50 certifications through the Office of the State Fire Marshall. The certifications achieved in 2021 range from firefighting-related courses to fire prevention and technical rescue certifications.
Members of the Orland Fire Protection District participated in 27,703.25 training hours for our members in 2021. Our members' 27,703.25 hours of training consist of daily training topics or "quick drills" that the company officer conducts daily with their company. In addition to daily training, company-level training is done with multiple companies or fire stations participating in various topics at our training facility or other locations.
In 2021, the Men and Women of the Orland Fire Protection District returned to more in-person learning and teaching interactions similar to pre-pandemic years. Throughout 2021, training needed to modify at various points throughout the year to ensure the health and safety of our personnel. Training Site Improvements
2021, also saw the completion of several training site improvements. The training site underwent a major renovation, with funding secured through a DCEO grant (Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity) to complete a state-of-the-art driving pad. Work consisted of underground infrastructure improvements, water retention work on the retention pond, privacy fence with electric gate, and pavement improvements. The increased space will allow our personnel to train new driver operators on the cone confidence course and provide some much needed parking and security to the training site. Additional improvements also included the construction of a wall partition in the existing training building, to provide some much needed classroom space for Emergency Medical Services training. Computers, AV, and technology upgrades were also completed for the command simulation training area.
The partnership with Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security, the Orland Fire Protection District, and outside training agencies entered its fifth year. Our collective efforts between these three agencies have enabled the Orland Fire Protection District to host numerous Office of the State Fire Marshall courses for our personnel. The delivery of these courses at our facilities, allows the Orland Fire Protection District to certify our staff in many State fire certifications at a fraction of the cost, due to this grant funding. Grant funding from the Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security has also enabled fire departments in Cook County to send their personnel to training courses hosted here at our Training Facility. In 2021, 862 people were trained, resulting in 20,780 hours of training, which included: 630 Firefighters, 93 Law Enforcement Personnel, 15 Medical Personnel, 28 Teachers, 35 Emergency Managers, and 61 First Responders. The partnership and funding from Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security also allows for our members and outside personnel to utilize a tool and equipment cache purchased through the Department of Homeland Security funding for classes and refresher training.
Looking Ahead to 2022
In 2022, the Orland Fire Protection District is looking forward to completing several projects with the ultimate goal of creating a state-of-the-art training facility. The projects in 2022 that we will be focusing our efforts on include the construction of a three-story burn prop and the renovation of the old maintenance building into an indoor usage classroom and instructional space.
Vision
The Orland Fire Protection District Training Division has a vision to develop a training organization that provides the highest quality training for the Orland Fire Protection District, as well as other departments throughout the region and state that utilize our campus/classes. Our training is structured to identify standard conditions, deploy standard actions, to deliver standard outcomes. Our state-of-the-art training props and facilities, virtual reality and scenario-based simulation centers, and quality instructors will provide training and certification.
