CLAREMORE — Area firefighters are receiving valuable training as instructors from Oklahoma State University in cooperation with Tiawah Fire Department.
Firefighter 1, an eight-week training course, will include approximately 150 hours of instruction including hands on and exam work.
Fire Chief Johnny Golbek describes the training as intense and critical.
“It is a monumental thing to get the training here. I am happy to host it and to provide this opportunity to our local firemen,” Golbek said.
Seven area fire departments are taking advantage of the opportunity, he said.
This class provides free required training to both full-time and volunteer firefighters, according to Golbek.
He said the majority of the firemen are volunteers and cannot afford to take off three weeks from work to attend the training at OSU.
By providing the opportunity locally and over a period of eight weeks, firefighters can complete the training without interrupting their “day jobs,” Golbek said.
The training takes place every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday during the eight-week period.
Tuesday and Thursdays are used for classroom work and Saturdays are reserved for the more extensive training, according to Golbek.
Once the class work is complete, the firemen will travel to Stillwater, Afton or Tahlequah to participate in a live burn at a burn building facility.
The firemen will be required to take other training courses before achieving certification.
Those courses include 60 hours of emergency medical responder coursework, 40 hours of Hazmat training and 32 hours of vehicle extraction.
These are just a few of the minimum requirements for firemen, Golbek said.
Firefighters have to the opportunity and obligation to continue their training throughout their career, even as volunteers.
Currently, 19 firefighters are participating in the local class.
The OSU instructors that are working with these individuals provide their time at no cost to the fire departments.
All firefighters must be certified in Firefighter 1 to work as a firefighter for both volunteer departments or as a full-time employee.
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