Members of the Trenton Fire Department and representatives from North Central Missouri College discussed the new fire training center and the two-year fire science degree being made available at NCMC during a meeting of the Trenton Rotary Club on Thursday.
Fire Chief Brandon Gibler and Fire Training Officer Lt. Doug Franklin talked about the new fire training center, which will be located behind the current emergency services building on Harris Avenue. The 11-acre site will include a fire training tower, driving course and individual training areas (such as grain bin rescue and extrications) that will be used by not only the local fire department, but area firefighters as well. Franklin said the center will allow for extensive training of fire personnel throughout north Missouri, adding that communities will benefit from having well-trained firefighters. In specifically addressing the training tower, Franklin said the five-story unit will allow for all types of training, including different fire situations as well as high angle and rope rescue techniques.
In conjunction with the fire training center, the fire department has been working with NCMC to develop a two-year fire science degree program. Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Tristan Londre said the program will be used to help recruit individuals into the firefighting profession as well as giving current firefighters the opportunity to earn a degree that might be needed for advancement. Those already in the profession would be able to receive college credits for certifications already received, such as Firefighter I, Firefighter II and EMT/Paramedic. The program is scheduled to begin in August and both Gibler and Franklin will be serving as adjunct instructors.
During the business meeting, it was announced that Tim Michael and Phil Hoffman will be attending training required for the club to apply for a district grant. The deadline to apply for the grant is April 1, with the district matching up to $3,500 provided by the club on a 3:1 basis. The club could potentially have $15,000 available for a project.
The next meeting of the Rotary Club will be Thursday, Feb. 28.
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