Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s congressional delegation announced Friday that firefighters and EMS personnel throughout Vermont are receiving $1.9 million through 15 federal grants. The awards are part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, which helps fire departments and EMS agencies train and purchase critically needed equipment. This year’s grants will help buy a range of equipment, including turnout gear, breathing apparatus, hoses and nozzles, radios and cardiac monitors.
“These federal grants will help our first-responders protect Vermonters. Our firefighters and EMS personnel play an invaluable role in our communities and we are pleased to be able to help provide the resources they need,” said Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Representative Peter Welch (D-Vermont).
The largest of the grant awards is for the Vermont Department of Public Safety’s Fire Academy, which is receiving $500,000 for a “burn building,” a training facility that provides opportunities to practice firefighting scenarios.
“The Vermont Fire Academy is grateful to have received AFG funding that will allow us the opportunity to replace our live-fire training burn building. This is a real boost for the Vermont firefighting community. Thanks to all that continue to support this grant,” said Peter Lynch, the state's chief of fire service training for the Vermont Division of Fire Safety in the Department of Public Safety.
The federal grants were awarded to:
• Vermont Department of Public Safety (Vermont Fire Academy); $500,000
• Underhill-Jericho Fire Department, Inc.; $228,262
• Essex Fire Department; $180,000
• St. Johnsbury Fire Department; $178,572
• Ascutney Volunteer Fire Association; $156,762
• Bellows Falls Fire Department; $142,858
• Wardsboro Fire Department; $129,524
• West Windsor Fire Department; $90,667
• Cavendish Volunteer Fire Department; $85,715
• West Weathersfield Volunteer Fire Department; $83,810
• Pownal Rescue Squad; $43,610
• Springfield Fire Department; $36,427
• Montpelier Fire/Ambulance Department; $23,765
• Brookfield Volunteer Fire Department; $19,048
• Pownal Fire Department; $13,719
Fire Service Job Opportunities
Burlington Fire Department - Firefighter/EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic
Fire Instructor I Course Announced
Location: Bristol Fire Department 
Orientation Date: Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Registration Deadline: Friday, October 14, 2016
Time: Weeknight class time: 1830 - 2230 and weekend class time: 0800 - 1700
Download the tentative course schedule
This program is designed to qualify fire service responders to deliver instruction from a prepared lesson plan. Upon successful completion, students are awarded nationally registered certifications in accordance with NFPA 1041, Fire Service Instructor Professional Qualifications, 2012 edition.
Prerequisites:
- Currently active in the Fire Service with a minimum of three years experience
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Current Firefighter I or II Certification
To register, download the General Admission Application, fill it out, and return it to the Vermont Fire Academy by the registration deadline. Priority will go to Vermont Firefighters. The class maximum is 12 students. Please note students will need a laptop/computer access for homework assignments. Fire Service Instructor I certification is mandatory for Fire Officer certification and to be considered for employment as a Vermont Fire Academy Instructor. Attendance at every class meeting is mandatory for successful completion of this course.
2016 National Fire Academy Courses to be Held in Vermont
Each year, the Vermont Fire Academy hosts National Fire Academy direct delivery courses in an effort to bring fresh, new courses to our responders without the long travel to the National Fire Academy. The following course offerings are being presented around Vermont. All classes will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day and are available at no cost. Apply by submitting aGeneral Admission Application to the Vermont Fire Academy by the application deadlines listed below.
Initial Fire Investigation for First Responders
Location: Bennington Town Fire Station
Course Date: December 3 & 4, 2016
Application Deadline: October 17, 2016
Strategies and Tactics for Initial Company Operations
Location: South Burlington Police Department
Course Date: January 9 & 10, 2017
Application Deadline: November 23, 2016
Strategies and Tactics for Initial Company Operations
Location: St. Johnsbury - exact location TBD
Course Date: January 21 & 22, 2017
Application Deadline: December 5, 2016
Leadership I for Fire and EMS: Strategies for Company Success
Location: Brattleboro Fire Station
Course Date: January 28 & 29, 2017
Application Deadline: December 12, 2016
Residential Sprinkler Plan Review
Location: Division of Fire Safety Central Office - Berlin
Course Date: March 29 & 30, 2017
Application Deadline: February 10, 2017
Training Operations in Small Departments
Location: Vermont Fire Academy - Pittsford
Course Date: June 24 & 25, 2017
Application Deadline: May 8, 2017
Source: Congressional delegation 10.7.2016