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Inexperienced firefighters learn the ropes at fire academy

BY JOHN D. HOMAN, THE SOUTHERN

Friday, May 9, 2008 4:33 PM CDT

MARION - Thirty-three aspiring firefighters seeking to learn the trade are enrolled in training classes at the newly formed Southern Illinois Regional Fire Academy.

Tom Manis, who serves as director of the academy, said the idea of an academy was conceived in order to help cut costs for local departments that are members of the southern region of MABAS (Mutual Alarm Box Alarm System, Division 45).

"It costs a lot more to send someone to Champaign at the firefighters institute than to keep them close to home," Manis said. "And they can get the same kind of training here that they would get there at a cheaper rate."

Manis said classes are taught twice weekly by state-certified instructors at the Williamson County Fire Protection District office in Marion. Sessions run from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays for the next several months.

"It's a 240-hour class," Manis said. "Students will learn fire behavior, building construction, how to use self-contained breathing apparatus, hoses and ladders. They'll not only learn how to use them but how they're made."

Upon completion of the coursework, students will be classified Firefighter II, which is a big step toward full-time employment.

"Hazardous materials awareness is also taught, along with technical rescue awareness," Manis said. Students must also pass a state fire marshal's exam before they become certified Firefighter II.

"I'm hoping that sometime down the road we'll be able to offer Firefighter III training," Manis said. "I'm very pleased with the turnout we have for the coursework we're offering now. We have students from West Frankfort to Pope County and a couple of instructors from Mount Vernon. The instructors are doing all the work on a volunteer basis."

Students pay $45 per module, which includes coverage of nine subjects. Three modules in all are covered in the training sessions.

Kyle Masters is a 17-year-old junior from Carterville High School. The teen said he has had a fascination with firefighting for the last several years passed along to him by his grandfather, Don Jackson, who was a firefighter in Carbondale.

"He had some great war stories," Masters said.

Earlier this year, Masters paid a visit to the Williamson County Fire Protection District. He said he wanted to learn as much about firefighting as he can and as soon as possible.

"I was told to fill out an application and I've been with the department for about the last three months," Masters said.

Masters is enrolled in the classes at Marion.

"I love it," he said. "I've learned so much in the two days I've been there. It's a lot of fun for me."

Masters said he is not permitted to perform any actual firefighting until he turns 18.

"For now, I'm pretty much performing a support role with the department. I'll do whatever they need me to do."

Masters said his ultimate goal is to eventually be employed as a full-time firefighter with the Carbondale Fire Department, following in the footsteps of his now deceased grandfather.

john.homan@thesouthern.com  

351-5805