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WARREN -- In an effort to help firefighters, both full-time and volunteers, accumulate the training hours they need every three years, the Warren Township Fire Department is continuing to use its fire station off North River Road after its closure during COVID-19.
The department also is looking to offer programs, such as CPR classes and general first aid classes, for the public.
Fire Chief Joseph Natali said the station has always been used as a training center, but when the township trustees took over the North River Road location in 2020, it became the official training location.
"We have a large TV screen on the wall for the training," Natali said. "For 2024, I would like to see the general public able to have CPR classes and general first aid."
The station has become crucial for the township's fire department as it allows firefighters to stay current on their training hours. It also allows other fire departments to come together for combined training sessions and Natali hopes that continues in 2024.
Fire training takes place during the first Monday of each month and University Hospital's staff leads an emergency medical service training during the second Monday. Natali said Braceville Fire Department also helps host training sessions with University Hospitals as the two departments alternate.
Assistant Fire Chief Erich Luketic said previously training was rotated between the fire department's three stations when there were more volunteers and paid staff.
TRAINING HOURS
In order to stay up to date, Natali said firefighters used to need 54 hours of training, but now they only need 36. He said paramedics need 72 hours, which is 12 hours lower than the mandatory 84 hours it was before.
The availability of the training center makes it easier for the firefighters to fulfill their obligations, which take place in two-hour stints once a month.
"People say it is much more convenient and easier to get the training here," Lt. Greg Wrightsman, a firefighter and EMT, said. "The center provides a lot of us with the opportunity to get our hours. We have other training through accredited schools and also have joint training with other fire departments. The in-house training is done locally which helps sometimes on shifts and sometimes scheduled."
Annette Shick, firefighter / paramedic, said the local center is convenient for getting training.
"We are fortunate to have departments that offer training locally. We would have to do some training online," she said.
Luketic handles the monthly fire training at the center. They review different topics during each session, such as how to use breathing apparatus. Instruction also includes auto extrication, hazardous materials and other topics.
"If we see something we need a refresher on, we can hold a training on that topic," Luketic said. "We provide enough training in the three years to get the 36 hours that are needed."
He said while most training is at the North River Road station, there has been some training at the main station off West Market where they can use the large field across the street at the former LaBrae High School location.
LACK OF
VOLUNTEERS
Along with training their current firefighters, Luketic and Natali said the training sessions also may help attract more volunteer firefighters. They both said they do not have the number of volunteer firefighters they used to because of the training hours mandate. Volunteers also must fulfill 36 hours of training and Luketic said some fire departments require additional training.
"I would like to have more volunteers," he said. "The volunteer spirit of years ago is gone." Luketic said he remembers when a fire truck could leave the station for a call with just volunteers on board.
Along with the training mandate, Natali said younger generations do not want to volunteer.
"We grew up volunteering," he said. "But, now, with everyone needing to work to make a living, fewer people are able to show up."
Luketic said when people worked at the steel mills, there were shifts so people could volunteer when they weren't working. In order to possibly bring in more volunteers, Natali said he has been in contact with the safety program at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center to see if instructors would be interested in the station as an off-school satellite location for paramedic and emergency medical technician classes.
Luketic said there is a high school and adult fire program at MCCTC.
"There is a fire truck and equipment available here for the training they could utilize," he said. "They can familiarize themselves with the operation of a firetruck."