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Volunteer Firefighters Embrace Potential Doubling of Training Volunteer Firefighters Embrace Potential Doubling of Training

By Deepanjali Sharma

Fire Expo
© 2024 Deepanjali Sharma

REPORTER- NEW FEDERAL CHANGES PROPOSED BY OSHA HAVE STIRRED DEBATE. CURRENTLY, VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS NEED 150 HOURS OF TRAINING, BUT THE NEW GUIDELINES COULD DOUBLE THIS TO 300 HOURS, OR 50 DAYS OF 8-HOUR TRAINING. SOME DEPARTMENTS WORRY ABOUT A DECLINE IN VOLUNTEERS AND THE ADDITIONAL COSTS, BUT THE FIRE EXPO EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF MORE TRAINING.
[AUL MELFI-LOVE IT, THEY WANT TO GET AS MUCH AS THEY CAN SO THAT THEY’RE ABLE TO GO HOME AND BE.
REPORTER-AND THE STUDENTS AT THE EXPO AGREE, THE MORE THE BETTER.
ANNA MOCARSKA-I THINK SAFETY COMES FIRST. IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE TRAINED BETTER, WHY NOT? IT DOESN’T MATTER HOW MUCH IT COST.
PAUL MELFI, RETIRED FIRE CHIEF AND THE COORDINATOR OF THE EXPO SAYS TO ENSURE SAFETY THOSE EXTRA HOURS ARE NEEDED, HE SAYS TRAINING ALLOWS THEM TO GAIN-
PAUL MELFI-THE ABILITY TO STAY ALIVE, SO IN ORDER TO DO THAT THE MORE TRAINING THAT WE GET THE BETTER CHANCES WE HAVE OF SURVIVAL. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS BUSINESS.
REPORTER- EXPO INSTRUCTOR ED TRACEY, WITH 24 YEARS OF TEACHING EXPERIENCE, SAYS THAT DESPITE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES FOR SOME DEPARTMENTS, THE TRAINING IS ESSENTIAL.
ED TRACY-KEEP FIREFIGHTERS FROM GETTING INJURED, FROM GETTING KILLED AND BE PROFICIENT AT THE JOB. I DO REALIZE THAT IT MIGHT BE TOUGH FOR SOME DEPARTMENTS, BUT WE DO HAVE TO HAVE A COMMONSENSE MINIMUM STANDARD TO TRAIN OUR FIREFIGHTERS TO SO THEY CAN DO WHAT WE’RE DOING BEHIND US, SAVE LIVES AND PROTECT PROPERTY

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) – The annual Fire Expo in Syracuse is currently hosting hands-on training sessions at the Syracuse Fire Department training grounds.

This year, the event has ignited passionate discussions about proposed federal guidelines from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that could significantly increase the required training hours for volunteer firefighters.

While some fire departments are concerned about the impact on volunteer numbers and the additional expenses, many experts and participants at the Expo highlighted the crucial need for more extensive training.

Paul Melfi, a retired fire chief and the coordinator of the Expo, said the proposed changes are important.

“The ability to stay alive in this dangerous business is directly linked to the amount of training we receive,” he said.

Currently, volunteer firefighters must complete 150 hours of training. However, the new guidelines suggest doubling this to 300 hours.

Volunteer firefighters are particularly excited about the potential guidelines, recognizing that increased training could greatly enhance their skills and safety.

“Despite financial challenges for some departments, this training is essential to keep firefighters from getting injured or killed and to ensure they are proficient in their duties,” said Ed Tracey, an instructor at the Fire Expo.

As the Fire Expo continues, the debate over these new guidelines is set to remain a hot topic among the firefighting community.

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