Artifact #25 - Advisory Council and other Input

This program is a joint effort of many different agencies in our area.  If it did not have the tremendous industry support, it would not be successful.  This program was initiated by the Rockingham County Department of Fire & Rescue with a joint effort of the Harrisonburg City Fire Department and all volunteer agencies in the county have some type of input as well.

Many of the volunteer agencies have made contributions to the program by donating equipment.  These donations have come in the form of a used ambulance, various nozzles, hose, appliances, and gear.  The Rockingham County Fire Department has donated a used engine for use in the program.  I work closely with several different sales representatives who have been very supportive of the program offering equipment at their costs and alerting me to equipment being replaced by other larger departments.

Input is valued when changes are mandated.  An example of this occurred this summer when a new standard was adopted in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif">Virginia</span></span></st1:place></st1:state> requiring more program hours.  I met with the county fire chief and assistant chief for input on the program.  Through this meeting we decided what parts of the program would be moved from the first year to the second, while maintaining enough interest for all students..

Given the implementation of the new standards for the upcoming year, I also discussed these changes with the area representative from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP).  Each year, VDFP representatives come to the school to provide onsite testing of the students. 

Students have been publicly commended by the

County Board of Supervisors for their success in the program.

Fire chiefs from other departments even outside of the county have been involved with the program in assisting with some of the burn evolutions.