ByJesse Olivarez, Staff Writer, The Oklahoman
Reprinted with permission
Aug. 15, 2006

The Oklahoma State Fire Association had its annual State Fire School on the grounds of the Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center over the weekend. More than 150 firefighters from across the state came to the two-day seminar.

Firefighters learned new techniques to combat grassfires and fires in rough terrain. Other classes included flashover train- ing, extreme rescue extrication, thermal imaging and methamphetamine lab response. Midwest City Fire Chief Randy Olsen said the school was a success. “It was a great opportunity for all the metro area fire departments,” Olsen said. “Everyone who attended received some high-quality training.” The event also kicked off the technology center’s Fire Training Academy. The academy is a 16-week program designed to teach students basic firefighting skills.

Kathleen Kennedy, spokeswoman for the technology center, said the academy is the first of its kind being offered in the state. She said the academy will be held each fall and spring at the center.

For more information about the academy, call Erick Reynolds, Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center’s director of business and industry services, at 390-9591. Or visit the Fire training website at http://www.eocftc.org/home.htm

Copyright 2006, The Oklahoma Publishing Co.