ANSBACH, Germany (April 11, 2014) -- Three weeks of combined training at the Urlas Fire Department's Training Center certified the skills of some 20 firefighters from Italy, Germany and the United States, during the qualification training Firefighter 1, from March 24 through April 11.
"Our training is unique because we train, certify and connect our firefighters. Especially those operating at U.S. Army garrisons across Europe," said Alexander Gernhard, training officer, Urlas Fire Fighting Training Center.
Gernhard explained that the Firefighter 1 qualification is an initial step in the process to verify the proficiency of a firefighter's skill. "It is fundamental training for firefighters to build on," he said.
The course objectives and structure is based on requirements issued by the National Fire Protection Agency, which the Department of the Army adopted in the mid-1990s, Gernhard said. He explained that the course includes two weeks of theory, a week of practical exercises, including fighting various types of fires, and required safety measures.
"Our trainees from USAGs Vicenza, Wiesbaden, Stuttgart, Baumholder basically work in teams of two when putting out a fire. The first firefighter is acting as the 'nozzle' holding the hose, adjusting the water-stream," explained Gernhard. "The 'team-leader' is the one behind, helping to navigate the 'nozzle' through the haze of a fire, by holding onto the back of the oxygen tank," he added.
"Besides ingraining safety in all that we do as firefighters and as teams, this has been a great experience, actually practicing with firefighters from another country," said Matteo Manfron, a USAG Vincenza firefighter.
"Language is not really a barrier, since U.S. Army firefighters know the standards and procedures," said Matthew Morris, training officer, USAG Vicenza Fire Department.
While the profession is full of risks, "all of our training courses, including this training program, help us minimize them, making us proficient as firefighters," said Morris.
Morris added that the training value for firefighters is tremendous.
"We adjust training and certification procedures to meet Host Nation safety standards, but within the NFPA framework," explained Gernhard.
Standardized training and certification procedures are very important, Morris said, "since most countries, like Italy, differ from the U.S. Army in the ways that most fires are being fought. It is in part, due to various building substances, as well as their structures. But also the equipment being used and the manning, is different."
"Technology changes and so do our tactics and techniques," Gernhard said. "Reoccurring proficiency training is a requirement for all U.S. Army firefighters, in order to remain certified.
Frank Geis, a firefighter from USAG Baumholder added that the training is a great opportunity to extend knowledge and to learn more efficient ways to combat fires.
"This qualification course generated quite a few new experiences among firefighters, reiterating that we truly are one family, regardless of the country we are from," summarized Markus Bissinger, a USAG Stuttgart firefighter.
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