Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Report

Fiscal Year 2021

Annual Report

MARYLAND FIRE AND RESCUE INSTITUTE | UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND

FY 2021 Annual Report 1

CONTENTS

TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

2 Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute

p. 5

MFRI Mission and Vision Statements

p. 6

Greeting from Executive Director

p. 7

Fiscal Year 2021 Statistics

p. 7

Certifications

p. 8

Program Highlights

p. 10

Federal Grants

p. 13

Capital Projects and New Equipment

p. 14

Regional Training Centers

FY F Y2 0 22 0 12 1A A nnu na u la lR R ep eo p rotr t 3

MFRI MISSION 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.

MFRI VISION 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.

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FY 2021 Annual Report 5

F I S C A L Y E A R 2 0 2 1 S TAT I S T I C S

GREETING from the Executive Director

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

I am pleased to share the extraordinary achievements of the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute’s fiscal year 2021.

Despite the unprecedented times and extraordinary circumstances our faculty, staff, and instructors remained steadfast in pursuit of the Institute’s mission and our accomplishments while mitigating such an event.

The year 2020 will always be hailed as one of the most challenging times we have faced. It was a tumultuous learning experience for everyone. The pandemic reinforced the importance of adapting quickly to meet the needs of our customers. We migrated our in-person classes to distance learning formats, reduced class sizes for face-to-face and our practical evolution sessions. We utilized various new communication platforms, regularly administered COVID-19 testing at MFRI facilities, assisted with test and vaccine administration on campus, continuously refreshed instructional programs, developed new initiatives and maintained open facilities during this time. While this was not an easy feat, our faculty, staff, and instructors worked to ensure that emergency services instruction continued without interruption statewide, nationally, and internationally.

For the past 90 years, MFRI has developed a reputation for delivering world-class emergency services training programs that meet and exceed both national and state standards. While this pandemic may have changed some of our delivery models, it certainly did not change the quality of instruction that our students have grown accustomed to.

In fact, many of the changes that were implemented during this time period left a tremendously positive impact on the Institute and helped to improve our basic organizational activities. Many of these changes will continue to be employed for the foreseeable future to improve organizational communications, provide alternatives to traditional program deliveries, and increase overall customer service satisfaction.

The men and women of the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute worked tirelessly during this time. They continuously rose to the challenge of improvising, adapting to new environments, and driving positive change to meet the challenges of our new time. Their commitment throughout this time is an example of their dedication to the Institute and the emergency services throughout our state, as well as, across our great nation. I look forward to 2022.

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Students

by Discipline

21,836

Fire 5,620 EMS 4,469 ALS 1,054 Rescue 1,997 Management 3,099 PDI 1,393 Hazardous Materials 1,560 Specialty 774 Company Drills 770 Seminars 863 Simulation Center 237

Emergency Services Programs 1,527

Students

by Program

State Programs 1,210 Special Programs 206 Company Drills 63 Seminars 48

State Programs 18,575 Special Programs 1,628 Company Drills 770 Seminars 863

21,836

Student Hours

by Program 516,419 Field Operations 497,598 Special Programs 13,051 Company Drills 2,310 Seminars 3,460

C E R T I F I C AT I O N S MFRI courses eligible for certification Pro Board certifications issued Concurrent IFSAC certifications issued MFSPQB only certifications

36 5,215 3,965 140 Y 22 0 0 22 11 A An nn nu u aa ll R R ee p po o rr tt 7 7 FF Y

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS C O U R S E S M I G R AT E T O N E W L E A R N I N G P L AT F O R M

Since instituted in March 2020, all MFRI courses have migrated to Canvas, a learning management platform. Since resuming normal operations, courses have adopted a hybrid platform. Specialized training for instructors was offered to familiarize them with the platform. This new platform allows students to access their courses through electronic devices.

NEW EMT ONLINE CEU COURSES

MFRI partnered with the Health & Safety Institute (HSI) to provide online continuing education for Maryland’s clinicians. HSI allows students to sign up for a 12-hour program or select the classes they need to complete for recertification. Each class is individually certified by the Commission on Accreditation for Prehospital Continuing Education, which means they are also accepted by NREMT. In addition to the 12 classes available to meet Maryland’s recertification requirements, EMTs can select additional classes from the HSI menu to meet their NREMT requirements.

C O V I D - 1 9 VA C C I N AT I O N T R A I N I N G

The COVID-19 crisis took the world by storm and in a coordinated effort to combat the novel virus, MFRI partnered with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, the Maryland Department of Health, and the Governor’s training program to create a course to train Maryland’s clinicians on how to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. The training was provided as a refresher for nursing students, nurses, and retired health professionals to assist with vaccinations of the civilian population.

C O U R S E U P D AT E S NEW COURSES

Building Construction for the Fire Service REVISED COURSES/ PILOTS

Firefighter I and II I A A I PA R T N E R S H I P B R I N G S O N L I N E F I R E I N V E S T I G AT O R T R A I N I N G T O EMERGENCY RESPONDERS

MFRI partnered with the International Association of Arson Investigators to deliver fire investigator training online to assist fire officers in improving their investigative skills. The free online training platform offers 70 modules of instruction for company officers, fire investigators, and fire marshals to fulfill the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 1021, NFPA 1033, & NFPA 1037).

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Fire Inspector I and II Emergency Vehicle Operator Aircraft Rescue Firefighter Fire Officer I through IV Instructor I and II/III EMS Officer Marine Firefighting for Land-based Firefighters

FY 2021 Annual Report 9

FEDERAL GRANTS M F R I AWA R D E D F E D E R A L F U N D S FOR FIRE TRAINING EQUIPMENT

MFRI was awarded a $486,752 FEMA grant to assist the Institute in obtaining equipment needed for training and protecting emergency personnel.

Maryland’s delegation, U.S. Senators Benjamin Cardin, Chris Van Hollen, and Congressional representatives Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Anthony Brown, Steny Hoyer, David Trone, Kweisi Mfume, and Jamie Raskin announced the grant award in early September.

In a statement, the delegation noted the importance of MFRI equipping first responders with the knowledge and skills in their life-saving missions. The grant provides funds directly to fire departments, non-affiliated emergency medical services organizations, and state fire training academies to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as first responders.

MFRI used the grant to purchase the following equipment for its six regional training centers: • 14 sets of turnout gear • 24 self-contained breathing apparatus • 3 fire extinguisher props • 35 Motorola portable radios • 8 Atmospheric meters & monitors • 12 sets of Vorbeck Communication vests • 5 Hazmat decontamination showers • 46 level A&B encapsulating suits for Hazmat training • 6 gasoline-powered rotary rescue saws • A 6,000 psi breathing air compressor for the Lower Eastern Shore Regional Training Center • 4 laser projectors for the Incident Command Simulation Center “MFRI is honored to receive an Assistance to Firefighters Grant that will allow us the ability to continue providing high-quality programs and training to meet the needs of Maryland’s EMS, fire, and rescue personnel,” said Executive Director Michael Cox. “The AFG program plays an important role in helping MFRI provide realistic equipment and props that prepare our students for all-hazard responses. We extend our sincere thanks to Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Benjamin Cardin as well as our Congressional representatives for supporting the AFG program.”

Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency 10 Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute

COVID-19 GRANT HELPS SUPPLY PPE AT I N S T I T U T E A N D R E G I O N A L C E N T E R S

MFRI was awarded a supplemental Assistance to Firefighters COVID-19 Supplemental Grant in the amount of $100,000 to offset the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This grant is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The award was used to purchase PPE, cleaning and sanitation supplies, disposable gowns, gloves, and 7 electrostatic Clorox disinfecting systems to be used at the Institute’s regional training locations and headquarters.

vehicles, training, and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

The Assistance to Firefighters COVID-19 Supplemental Grant supports fire departments, non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations, and state fire training academies. The grant provides funding for personal protective equipment and supplies to prevent and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

FY 2021 Annual Report 11

C A P I TA L P R O J E C T S LOWER EASTERN SHORE REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER

New burn tiles were installed in 3 rooms of the burn building.

Sprayed on lining replaced tile boards in the burn building.

WESTERN MARYLAND REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER

The $8.6 million renovation project is slated to begin in fall 2021. Projected to be completed in spring 2022.

NEW TRAINING PROPS AND EQUIPMENT • • • • •

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New CPR manikins Laser projectors for the Incident Command Simulator Center EMT equipment iPads for tablet testing 6 equipment trailers

FY 2021 Annual Report 13

REGIONAL TRAINING CENTERS

In addition to our headquarters in College Park, Maryland, MFRI provides state-of-the-art fire, rescue, and emergency medical training programs throughout the state of Maryland. The training centers and offices deliver fire, rescue and emergency medical training programs to the state’s 354 fire departments at no cost. MFRI has 67 full-time faculty and staff supported by over 600 state-certified instructors who deliver programs through site-specific mobile training or at any of the regional training academies.

NCRO

MOUNT AIRY

The North Central Regional Office serves Carroll, Frederick, Howard and Montgomery Counties.

U E S R TC

CENTREVILLE

L A P L ATA

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

N E R TC

EDGEWOOD

The North East Regional Training Center serves Harford, Cecil and Baltimore Counties and Baltimore City.

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S M R TC The Southern Maryland Regional Training Center serves Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s and Prince George’s Counties.

L E S R TC

PRINCESS ANNE

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

W M R TC

C R E S A P TOW N

The Western Maryland Regional Training Center serves Allegany, Garrett and Washington Counties.

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