Training Division
Firefighting has often been described as one of the most complex and dangerous professions in America. The SKF&R Safety and Training Division is tasked with providing our firefighters with the latest techniques to decrease their exposure to unnecessary hazards and improve job specific skills through education and hands-on training.
The demands of emergency service delivery require that all employees be involved in demanding, comprehensive, on-going training programs. This prepares employees to make critical decisions based on finely honed skills, judgment, and creativity. The Training Division is the core of these training programs and works to prepare all of our firefighters and emergency medical technicians to deliver the highest quality service to our community. South King Fire & Rescue's training programs and materials are recognized and distributed to other fire departments locally.
Our Training Division staffing consists of the Deputy Chief of Training, three Captains, one of which is the media specialist, and an administrative assistant. The Training Division also maintains resources such as learning libraries in each fire station, a state of the art studio, e-learning tools, modern classrooms and a training center with training props that allow thousands of simulation scenarios which assists our fire fighters in becoming the very best the industry has to offer.
Required Training
South King Fire & Rescue training programs meet, and in many cases exceeds, local, state, and federal requirements. The firefighters are continually challenged to learn the latest in firefighting methods, emergency medical skills, and specialized rescue techniques to best serve the emergency needs of our community. This frequently results in SKF&R partnering with other fire agencies to provide cost effective, high quality training without duplicating efforts.
Training Division Services
Training Advisory Group Committee (TAG)
The TAG committee consists of officers who act as industry subject matter experts who advise on the direction of current and future training needs. This consensus panel provides insight and experience which is necessary for the implementation of training programs. The TAG committee members also provide instruction and mentoring when needed.
New Firefighter Training
Upon hire, each firefighter of South King Fire & Rescue is highly trained to exacting standards through a Recruit Academy. Upon completion, continuing education is provided in Fire Suppression, Emergency Medicine, Wellness, Leadership & Supervision, Specialty Teams and continuing education as required by local, state, and federal regulations. We believe a highly skilled and trained workforce equipped with reliable and effective response tools will contribute to reducing incident severity.
SKF&R Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC)
After the Recruit Academy in which Firefighter I & II certifications are achieved, new fire fighters continue in their professional training with a three year apprenticeship program. The JATC is modeled after the professional trades (plumber, electricians) apprenticeship program. Each year new firefighters have outside educational requirements, manipulative skills to learn and demonstrate along with associated testing. After three years and the final test, they become Journeyman Firefighters.
Incident Safety Officer
The Training and Safety Division also responds to all major 911 incidents on an "as-needed" basis as nationally certified Incident Safety Officers. Their primary mission is to ensure firefighter safety through early recognition and mitigation of potential incident-specific hazards. They also serve as on-scene safety advisers to the Incident Commander and are required to prepare specific safety action plans for each incident.
Donations of Structures/Vehicles
As prospects for providing "hands on training" within the fire service are limited, the SKF&R Training Division appreciates any opportunity to be able to make it available for our personnel. Donating a house or vehicle provides us a great "hands on training opportunity!" The donation of a structure provides an opportunity to practice fire suppression and ventilation skills, and the donation of a vehicle allows us to practice our extrication skills. The donation of a house to your local fire department may reduce demolition costs.
To assist us in this worthy endeavor, call our Training Division at 253-529-7209. One of our Training Division personnel will make a site visit to determine whether or not we can use the structure for training purposes. If approved by our Training Division, a demolition permit and an asbestos removal permit must be obtained by the homeowner. The donation of a vehicle will require proof of ownership such as a signed title or registration. To reduce the risk for a potential hazardous situation, all fluids must be drained from the vehicle prior to donation.
Please consider donating your house or vehicle to SKF&R to provide a rare "hand's on" training opportunity.
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