Council on Firefighter Training, 02/2013

              Council on Firefighter Training
www.COFT-Oklahoma.org • 405-601-8862 • fax 405-601-7996 • email contact@coft-oklahoma.org
No LODD’s in 2012 - Way to Go!
Jon Hansen, COFT
Executive Director
Greetings
Oklahoma Fire
Service!
ZERO IN LINE OF
DUTY DEATHS IN
2012!!!! That’s
right, our Oklahoma
Fire Service did not
record a single in
line of duty death
(LODD) in 2012.
Why? Could there be many
reasons? Could it be better
situational awareness on the fire
ground, be it a structure, wildland,
vehicle, or other fire situation? Could
it be we are trying to increase our
heart health and general physical
fitness? Could it be we are slowing
down a bit and stopping at red lights
and stop signs? Could it be that we
are using “ICS” more often. Could it
be that Safety is a big priority in our
training programs? Could it be we
are doing a better job of watching
out for each other?
I certainly don’t have all the
answers. What I do know is that the
Council will continue to be diligent
and aggressive when it comes to the
Safety and Health of our Firefighters
and Citizens! COFT, along with our
partners, will continue to make
awareness and other measureable
safety and health programs out top
priority in 2013 and beyond! We all
know it could change in a moment.
Today, tomorrow or next week. Let’s
continue to watch out for each other
both on and off the fire ground.
LAWTON FIRE & EASTERN OKLA-HOMA
CARER TECHNOLOGY
CENTER GRADUATE RECRUIT
CLASES
We had the opportunity to
attend and issue Master Firefighter
Certifications in Lawton, Antlers,
and the Eastern Oklahoma County
Career Technology Center this
past December to new, well-trained
firefighters ready to protect their
respective communities. In Lawton,
while new firefighters check on
board, one distinguished member of
the LFD announced his retirement.
Lawton Fire Chief Bart Hadley will
step down soon. Chief Hadley’s list
of accomplishments is many. The
chief will be missed! Good luck and
happy hunting Chief!
COUNTY WILDLAND TASK FORCE
LEADERS TRAINING PROGRAM
County Wildland Task Force
Leaders recently completed a two-day
training program hosted by the
Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association
(OFCA), the Department of
Forestry, COFT, and the Mustang
Fire Department. A wide variety
of topics were covered during the
well attended the program. We will
repeat the class soon. Stand by for
the date.
ROBOTIC AIRCRAFT FOR PUBLIC
SAFETY – RAPS
Drones flying over Oklahoma! This
exciting program is sponsored the
Department of Homeland Security
in Washington, DC. Oklahoma was
selected as the “beta” test site for
the many vendors developing the
technology. State Fire Marshal
Robert Doke is on the National
Steering Committee. COFT and the
State Fire Marshals Office had the
opportunity to present a program
on possible fire service uses at the
national demo site close to Elgin,
OK. Oklahoma is a leader in drone
production. According to projections
from the Governors Office, the
RAPS program could bring as many
as 600 new jobs to our state. More
info to follow.
COMPANY AND CHIEF OFFICER
PROFESIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM
It is official!!! The Council, at it’s
January 18th meeting, adopted the
Final Report. It now goes to the
Training Task Force for development.
We are close to having the best
and most creative program in
the country! Thanks to each and
everyone of you for your continued
input, and all who attended one
of the many focus groups around
the state, and those who took the
online survey. As with the 5 Levels
of Firefighter, this will be another
program for Oklahoma Firefighters,
Developed by Oklahoma Firefighters.
It will be easy to access and flexible.
TRAINING TASK FORCE
Please contact us if you would
like to become a member of your
Training Task Force. We have plenty
of exciting programs currently
under development. Rehab, Live Fire
Training, Wildland, USAR, Incentives
and Recognition, Driver /Operator,
and Public Fire Safety Education.
In closing, I want to congratulate
and thank each and every one
of you! Zero LODD’s is quite an
accomplishment. However, we all
know how quick that could change!
Please continue to watch out for
each other. My pledge to you is
that COFT will do everything we can
to keep you and our citizens out of
harms’ way!
Let’s continue to “STOP
FIREFIGHTER DEATHS” and be
“ALL IN” for Firefighter and Citizen
Safety & Survival!!!
JON
405-620-6262
jonh@coft-oklahoma.org
Awesome Job
Oklahoma Firefighters!
Encore 2013