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MFRI AWARDED FEDERAL GRANT TO ENHANCE TRAINING PROPS AND EQUIPMENT MFRI is the recipient of a $538,741 cost-share grant from the Federal Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistant to Firefighters Grant program. The funds awarded are being used to purchase turnout gear, SCBA, pump simulators, portable radios, tablet computers, an Air-Pak tester equipped with a computer and printer, and a HazSim Pro Training System to be dispersed amongst the Institute’s six regional training centers and headquarters location. “This grant allows us to update and enhance the training that we provide for our 34,000 emergency services providers” said Michael Cox, MFRI executive director. “We are grateful to Senators Ben Cardin, Chris Van Hollen and our other Congressional officials who work tirelessly advocating for this program.” The grant is awarded annually to fire departments, state fire training agencies and emergency medical service organizations.
MFRI GLOWS IN RED TO HONOR FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS MFRI’s headquarters was among U.S. landmarks and fire departments across the country glowing in red for the “Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters” tribute from Sept. 29-Oct. 6 in commemoration of the 38th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. The Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans and the One World Trade Center in New York City were among the many landmarks lit in commemoration. The event is sponsored annually by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Founded by the United States Congress in 1992, the foundation honors America’s fallen firefighters and provides resources to assist their families and co-workers. National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is held annually in October at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland to honor firefighters who have died in the line of the duty during the preceding year. OCtober - December 2019- 1
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute of the University of Maryland is the state’s comprehensive 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, the environment and property.
BULLETIN STAFF Editor: Ashley Collier Creative Editor: Ana Maizel Assistant Editor: ShaVon Diaz
CONTACT MFRI tel: 301-226-9921 www.mfri.org
fax: 301-314-0752 bulletin@mfri.org
The Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute Bulletin (MFRI) University of Maryland (ISSN 1074-2298) is published quarterly by the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute of the University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742. Periodical postage paid at College Park, MD 20740. Postmaster: Send address changes to Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, Bulletin, 4500 Campus Drive, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742. The MFRI Bulletin is distributed as a public service of the University of Maryland. The Bulletin is dedicated to the publication of information that will help educate its readers on the subjects of fire protection, emergency medical services, rescue, leadership and training. This publication may contain some articles and illustrations provided by readers. MFRI does not necessarily agree with information nor endorse any products depicted in the Bulletin. Address all communications to Editor at MFRI. For change of address, send mailing label and new address.
As we enter another year and decade, I want to reflect back on the many strides we have made to improve the services we provide to the emergency providers across our great State. While we all know that change is necessary for our continued success, our customers should see our immediate focus will be on health and safety, new technologies and equipment, research and development, better programs, and new program delivery/testing models. Although we have made many changes and improvements this year, we still have a long way to go to take us to that next level. Together as a group we have charted a new vision for the Institute that builds on the work of others from the past but takes us into the future where customer service priorities will always take precedence. I want to thank the 34 members of the Institute’s Strategic Planning Steering Committee for all of the work they did in this process to chart a course for meaningful change to ensure we remain prepared and equipped to provide the best training possible to our emergency responder communities. I also want to thank our faculty, staff, and instructors for all of their hard work providing 1,920 programs to 34,878 students who trained nearly 850,000 hours. It is the dedication of these individuals who make the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute and the Maryland emergency service community the best nationwide. I am excited to report that as we enter the New Year, we will continue to improve our processes to enhance learning at all levels. I am happy to report that in the very near future all student/instructor evaluations will be done electronically, a new LMS system will be acquired and placed in service, our organizational structure will be changed to better reflect the functions of various units, testing for many programs to be completed via electronic tablets, and our Pearson Vue testing centers will be fully operational in our regional facilities to enhance the current EMT program and National Registry testing process. Although organizational change sometimes appears to be slow, I must always remind myself of the words of the late novelist C.S. Lewis who said: “Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different?”
MICHAEL E. COX JR.
The MFRI Bulletin is produced entirely in house. We extend our gratitude to our contributors who make this publication possible. 2 - OCtober - December 2019
WINTER PDI DRAWS IN LARGE CROWD Kimberly Udeh, Manager, Institute Development Section
MFRI’s winter Professional Development for Instructors (PDI) Symposium was held Saturday, Dec. 7 in College Park, MD. Nearly 100 state-certified instructors attended the event. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. John Moschella, assistant professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL. Moschella, a career veteran and executive fire officer, discussed the history and development of learning in the fire service. This year we partnered with the staff of the University of Maryland’s Teaching & Learning Transformation Center (TLTC) and the Academic Technology & Innovation unit of the Division of Information Technology (IT) to present 90-minute breakout sessions. Instructors attended presentations on topics such as adopting online tools for advance student learning, applying classroom assessment techniques, translating instructor guides to lesson plans that work, adopting high and low-tech strategies for active learning classrooms, and how to create a supportive learning environment. Presenters included: - Dr. Scott Roberts, director of Instructional Excellence & Innovation, TLTC - Deborah Mateik, director of Learning Technology Design, Academic Technology & Innovation unit of IT - Dr. Marissa Stewart, assistant director of graduate programs , TLTC - Dr. Hannah Jardine, postdoctoral associate for faculty programs , TLTC Spring PDI will be held April 4, 2020. A Call for Presentations is currently open. All submissions should be received no later than February 28, 2020. The presentation submission criteria must include a course description, at least three objectives, proposed teaching method, student participation activities, biography and credentials. Photo courtesy of William Dobbin
FALL 2019 ENHANCEMENT & SKILLS WEEKEND AT MFRI HQ by Todd Dyche, Coordinator, Western Maryland Regional Training Center Nearly 40 instructor candidates attended MFRI’s fall enhancement and skills weekends at MFRI’s headquarters. MFRI’s 2019 fall biannual event provided instructor candidates with an overview of all skills necessary to teach within their respective emergency disciplines, which include fire, EMS, rescue and hazardous materials. Enhancement weekend is required by participants to instruct at sponsoring agencies such as Anne Arundel County Fire, Baltimore County Fire, BWI Airport, Cecil County Department of Emergency Services, Community College of Baltimore County, Frederick County Fire, Howard County Fire, Montgomery County Fire, Ocean City Fire and a host of others. Upon completion of skills enhancement, instructor candidates were tested for their competency two weeks later at skills weekend by veteran MFRI instructors. Many thanks go out to the following team players for making this event a success – Tim Delehanty, MFRI Logistical Support Section; Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department; MFRI skills instructors; and MFRI leadership. The 2020 spring enhancement weekend will be held this year on April 18-19, and the skills weekend will follow May 2-3 at MFRI HQ. Sponsoring agencies who have instructor candidates for the upcoming MFRI skills and enhancement weekend are encouraged to contact Todd Dyche at 301-729-0431 or via email at tdyche@mfri.org OCtober - December 2019- 3
INSTRUCTOR SPOTLIGHT Diane May is an instructor trainer and has worked for MFRI for 34 years. She teaches EMS and management courses primarily in the Western Maryland region.
WHAT CLASSES DO YOU TEACH AT MFRI? EMS, EMS Officer, Instructor I and II, and PDI.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BE AN INSTRUCTOR? When I first obtained my EMT certification as a 16 year old, Dave Wade was an EMT instructor for MFRI. He used to have me come to his classes to be a “victim.” I enjoyed interacting with students in the class and I learned a lot from Dave even though I was already a certified EMT. I obtained my CPR instructor certification and found out how much I loved teaching. My father, Bob Shimer, was a fire instructor for MFRI and encouraged me to follow my passion and become an EMT instructor.
WHAT CAN STUDENTS EXPECT FROM YOUR CLASS?
MOST MEMORABLE TEACHING MOMENTS:
I hold my students to a high standard and I lay out high expectations for them. I want them to be the best they can possibly be when they leave my class. I work them hard, but I am willing to work hard as well. I spend time outside of class developing activities, handouts, and tests to help them succeed. I also offer extra practice sessions outside of regular class time to allow them to feel more comfortable with their skills. Every time my students take an exam I am probably the most stressed person in the room. I want all of them to do really well and I worry about whether or not I have prepared them to do so.
I was teaching an EMT class session and my husband, son and son-in-law (all certified EMT instructors) were there as support instructors. My daughter who is also an EMT came to be a “victim” for the class. The other was about a student who was in my Instructor I and II classes. During Instructor I he was so nervous his presentations were horrible. During Instructor II he started gaining some confidence and working on his presentation style. He went on to become a highly respected instructor. I later had the opportunity to be a student in one of his classes.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WORKING FOR MFRI OR BEING AN INSTRUCTOR?
BEST ADVICE TO A STUDENT TAKING COURSES AT MFRI:
I enjoy helping students succeed and meet goals that they have set for themselves. Sometimes students come into class and they don’t think they will be able to pass the class, but with a little encouragement and sometimes a little extra help, they make it through the course. MFRI has been a great organization to work for. There are a lot of people throughout the organization who really care about the students. I also have had the opportunity to meet and become friends with many people throughout the state as a result of teaching for MFRI. It has been an amazing opportunity.
Commit to your studies. Don’t strive for the minimum, strive to offer the best you can to the public you will serve. Emergency services is a fabulous family and it is a great honor and privilege to be able to serve. Serve your organization well by being the best you can possibly be.
FUN FACT ABOUT YOU NOT RELATED TO TEACHING: I enjoy travel and photography. I have traveled to or through every state except for Alaska. My vacations are usually planned around opportunities to shoot photos of wildlife or beautiful scenery.
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FACULTY AND STAFF NEWS PATRICK CAMPBELL Patrick Campbell joined MFRI Sept. 30 as the regional coordinator for the North East Regional Training Center. Campbell, who has acquired over 30 years of emergency services experience, is a life member of the Havre de Grace Ambulance Corps, Inc. He is also an active participant with the Harford County Special Operations Team. Campbell has been a field instructor at MFRI for nearly 21 years.
RUDOLPH LEONARD
TRACY SUBER-LEACH Tracy Suber-Leach joined MFRI Nov. 4 as the budget and accounting coordinator in the Administrative Services Section. Suber-Leach comes to MFRI with a background in budget, finance, and accounting in both private and public sector organizations; including the UMD’s Student Financial Services Center. She holds a master’s of science in human resource management and a master’s in business administration from University of Maryland Global College. She also received a certificate in information technology from UMGC.
Rudolph Leonard joined MFRI Nov. 11. Leonard comes to MFRI with vast experience as a senior non-commissioned officer with the U.S Army and Army Reserves, an adjunct faculty member at the Baltimore City Fire Academy and Baltimore City Community College. He is also a licensed paramedic and a state-certified MFRI instructor. Leonard holds a master’s degree in disaster and emergency management and a bachelor’s in fire and emergency management, both from Purdue University Global.
DEBBIE SKLODOWSKI Debbie was recognized by Executive Director Cox for 20 years of service at the annual faculty and staff meeting on November 20, 2019. Sklodowski is assigned to the Western Maryland Regional Training Center as a business services specialist.
CARRENDA JENNINGS Carrenda Jennings joined MFRI Sept. 23 as an instructional designer in the Institute Development Section. Prior to joining MFRI, Jennings was an instructional designer at Capitol Technology University for nine years. In her role, Jennings assisted students, staff, and faculty using the university’s online systems such as Canvas, Blackboard, and Zoom. Jennings received her bachelor’s degree in computer engineering technology from Capitol Technology. She received a certificate in e-learning instructional design and development from Oregon State.
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EMPLOYEE TRANSITIONS JIM HEARN retired faculty member has returned as a technician at the Lower Eastern Shore Regional Training Center.
SCOTT WOOD
has transferred from the Institute’s Special Program’s Section to the Upper Eastern Shore Regional Training Center as the regional coordinator.
NICOLE DEUTSCH
has transferred from her position as an ALS coordinator to the Institute Development Section as an instructional designer.
CURRICULUM UPDATE Starting January 2020, the Firefighter I course utilizes course materials from the International Fire Service Training Association (IFTSA) - Essentials of Fire Fighting, 7th edition. The course is completely online and will be operated through a new learning management platform, Canvas. Exams will be implemented on the tablets. The pilot program began Jan. 26 at the North East Regional Training Center.
MFRI 2020 OPEN ENROLLMENT SPECIAL PROGRAMS SECTION February 17 Fire Inspector I March 2
Fire Hazard Recognition-Special Occupancies
March 3
Basic Overview of Fire Suppression Systems
March 4
NFPA 25 Seminar
March 5
Fire Pumps for Fire Protection
March 6
Special Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems
March 9
Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
March 9
Instructor I
March 23
Confined Space Awareness and Entry OSHA
March 23
Confined Space Awareness OSHA
March 23
Confined Space Entry and Rescue OSHA
March 25
Confined Space Annual Refresher
March 30
Certified Fire Protection Specialist Primer Class
March 31
Life Safety Code – NFPA 101
Register at www.mfri.org/training/open-enrollment-courses/
UMD FIRE SAFETY EDUCATOR NAMED JOHN C. SPIKER, SR. EXCELLENCE IN LIFE SAFETY EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR
Luisa Ferreira was named the 2019 John C. Spiker, Sr. Excellence in Life Safety Educator of the Year. Ferreira who is an assistant fire marshal at the University of Maryland’s Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management was presented the award at the 60th Annual Mid-Atlantic Life Safety Conference held at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab in Laurel, Maryland. Throughout her 31-year career at the University of Maryland, Ferreira has developed immeasurable fire safety programs for students, faculty and staff. She also designed all-hazard emergency plans for the University’s Center for Young Children, implemented commercial kitchen fire safety and food truck safety programs for dining services personnel. It is estimated that she has taught nearly a million resident assistants and on-campus students on public fire safety awareness and education. “Luisa has become a recognized and often sought subjectmatter in college and university public fire safety education” said Alan Sactor, assistant director for the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management. The John C. Spiker, Sr. Excellence in Life Safety Educator of the Year award is presented to an individual or organization who provides significant and innovative contributions to fire or life safety educational programs. The award is named in memoriam of John C. Spiker, Sr., who was a lifelong advocate for fire prevention educational programs in Anne Arundel County. photo l to r: John C. Spiker, Jr., Maryland State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci, Luisa Ferreira and Alan Sactor.
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FY2019 STATISTICS CERTIFICATIONS ISSUED BY THE MARYLAND FIRE SERVICE PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS BOARD, INC. - 2019 MFRI courses eligible for certification Pro Board certifications issued Concurrent IFSAC certifications issued Maryland (MFSPQB) certifications issued Total certifications issued
EMERGENCY SERVICES PROGRAMS
1,920
Field Operations Section Special Programs Section Company Drills Seminars
1,463 239 225 59
STUDENTS BY PROGRAM
34,878
Field Operations Section 23,271 Special Programs Section 5,937 Company Drills 3,966 Seminars 1,704
STUDENTS BY DISCIPLINE
34,878
Fire 7,655 EMS 5,770 ALS 1,711 Rescue 2,275 Management 5,023 Hazardous Materials 1,721 Specialty 3,304 Company Drills 3,966 Seminars 1,704 Simulation Center 1749
STUDENT HOURS BY PROGRAM Field Operations Special Programs Company Drills Seminars
849,407 759,891 77,268 3,969 8,279 OCtober - December 2019- 7
33 5,314 3,614 130 5,444
MICRB STANDARDS REVISION Karen Haje, Office of the Chairman In order to teach any formal emergency services training program in the state of Maryland, instructors are required by law to meet the certification requirements as outlined in the Certification Standards and Procedures for Emergency Services Instructors in the State of Maryland, which is more commonly known as the “Orange Book” (by authority of Education Article, §§11-105 and 11-503, Annotated Code of Maryland). These standards were adopted in 1980 to ensure the highest caliber of instruction for our emergency services providers. Maryland is the only state in the country that has such a system in place. Every two years, the Maryland Instructor Certification Review Board (MICRB) is required by the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) to review these regulations and certification authority. As part of the process, the MICRB reaches out to its approved sponsoring agencies and other constituent groups for their input. The MICRB is appreciative of the feedback it has received and is currently reviewing the recommendations. The next step is to submit the recommended amendments to the Maryland Higher Education Commission. The review process includes a public comment period, which will be open to any individuals or organizations wishing to participate. At that time, MICRB representatives will be available to answer questions, clarify ambiguities and entertain any additional standard-related issues. Once the draft document is scheduled for public comment, the information will be announced and posted to the MICRB’s website, www.mfri.org/micrb/. For additional information, please contact the MICRB at micrb@mfri.org
Indicia
MARYLAND FIRE AND RESCUE INSTITUTE COLLEGE PARK, MD 20742
WWW.MFRI.ORG
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION VISIT WWW.MFRI.ORG/SAC OR CALL (301) 226-9962.