District Supervisors

A-V Kits
All Field Supervisors are now in procession of an A-V Kit. The idea is to place this item as close to the field so fire instructors in your division can have access to the item. I urge you to let all your fire instructors know that they can contact you to for use of this item. It's in your court. If you loan it out it? It is your responsibility to ensure its return. When you issue the A-V Kit have the fire instructor note that on their Set-Up Form.

Laptops
All Field supervisors have laptops. DO NOT call the IT Dept. for problems or repairs. With any laptop, send an e-mail to MFTE Logistics. They will forward the problem to the IT Department.

New Mobile Cascade Trailer On Order
The third mobile air system has been ordered and should be delivered by late Fall 2006.

Pump Test Team
The team leader is Training Specialist John Miner. The team consists of members Don Robishaw, Gil Penney, Steve Burgess, Cam Martin, Phil Meunier and Jim Burrows. They have been conducting training sessions to learn to use the sophisticated equipment. Six training sessions have been completed as of June 20, 2006. The team continues to refine the operation of the computerized test equipment and analyze the findings against the traditional test methods. The results have proved the accuracy of the new test equipment.

• The Plan
  Now that the Pump Test Team has refined the method to conduct the tests they have set in motion a plan of action:
  • Any additional MFTE personnel who wish to join the Pump Test Team will receive "on the job" training.
  • A list of materials required to provide for back-up/redundancy has been presented to the Logistics Division for purchase.
  • Dialog continues with the computer software vendor to refine the product.
• Request A Test
  The goal of the Pump Test Team is to offer a service to Maine fire departments to track the operation of their fire department's pumpers. In order to offer this service without impacting the free service delivery available for training programs, all pump service tests will be a fee for service endeavor.
  • The Pump Test Team plans to conduct three (3) annual service tests in a day. In order to keep these costs as low as possible, MFTE will not conduct an annual service test for a single pump, three pumpers must be scheduled. Each test requires a signed contract with SMCC & MFTE stating that the agency agrees to pay for the service at a rate not to exceed $300.00 per truck. Based on the truck fee, a complete test of three pumps will cost no more than $900.00. If the test requires MFTE to provide overnight lodging for the Pump Test Team members that cost will be added to the estimated contract cost. Upon completion of the test, a summary invoice will be presented to the fire department outlining the actual cost which they are responsible for paying but not to exceed $900.00 (plus any extra's such as overnight lodging and food).
  • Tests may be requested through the MFTE web site home page. Click on the link to the Request a Pump Test, complete the form and send.
  • In order to participate, the AHJ must complete a pre-test form to present to the Pump Test Team including conducting a vacuum test. MFTE holds itself free of any claims of damage during the tests unless proven that members of the Pump Test Team caused damage via neglect or operational errors during the test procedures.
• Test Months
  Because many factors affect the tests of fire department pumpers, MFTE maintains the right to postpone any scheduled test due to unusual weather conditions; every effort will be made to reschedule as soon as possible.
  
  Tests will be scheduled in April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November, weather permitting. No tests will be conducted during the months of December through March.
• Third-Party Testing
  MFTE will also provide acceptance tests as required by NFPA 1900. The acceptance test conducted by a third party, (AHJ, manufacturer) organization such as MFTE, is recommended. The acceptance test establishes the base line information for the life of the truck. If you are considering the purchase of a new pumper and would like MFTE to conduct the test, please contact us and plan to add $1500.00 to your purchase price for the independent, third party test to be conducted.

If you have any questions concerning the Pump Test Team and its capability to meet your requirements, e-mail John Miner.

New Vehicle Assigned to Administrative Deputy
A 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid vehicle has been assigned to Ed Marks from the State Fleet Management Lease Program.

Web site: <www.mfte.org>
In order for classes to be listed on the web calendar we must have the Set-Up forms in hand so we can post the dates. You will notice that there are few Region 2 calendar training events listed even though you see there are many courses assigned.

Please contact the assigned instructors on the list to ensure they meet with the Fire Chief / Training Officer to conduct the Set-up as soon as possible. As per policy the Set-up should be in the office for review and approval 14 days prior to the event but there is no reason why it couldn't be here months prior. Phone and email messages are received almost daily asking when/where will we hold a SCBA class (and others). Our answer is to go to the "mfte.org" web site and look at the calendar. If it's not listed, then in reality, it doesn't exist.

Fire Chiefs' Permission
We encourage full classes to optimize the opportunity for training. As you know there are many class requests that do not maximize the student to instructor ratios. This is based on the fact that many firefighters from neighboring communities are not aware of the training taking place next door. The web calendar should help us maximize these programs. But there are stipulations for ff's to attend from another fire department. The Fire Chief who makes the written request is the AHJ authorizing attendance by members from his FD. When we post this class on the web calendar we also post the Contact name in the FD and the fire instructor. If a student from outside wishes to attend the training he must make contact with the FD representative listed to seek permission (form attached) to attend. The FD representative needs to understand that we establish strict ratios that need to be followed. If it's a 12:1 class and thirteen show up with 2 outsiders then the AHJ is responsible for making the cuts. But in no case should the fire instructor think it OK to slide the extra student into the class. A decision must be made, eliminate one person or add a second instructor. If you add an instructor I suggest it be a CFI who is being covered (pay & W.C.) from the AHJ. This needs to be very clear. The change should be made on the Set-Up form and sent as revised to the office.

You should begin every class by asking the question: "Is everyone here from the XYZ Fire Department who made the training request?" If someone responds in the negative then they must have the Chiefs Permission Form completed and the fire instructor must have the original with the Fire Chiefs signature (no others are acceptable) in order for the individual to participate in the course. Do not take the risk that no one will be injured; it's not your choice. No Permission Form = No Participation.

'95 Curriculum
ATTENTION *** ATTENTION *** ATTENTION
Firefighters working on the 1995 MFT&E FFI Curriculum (Module System)

THE END IS COMING

November of this year, 2006, the program from MFT&E known as the " '95 Curriculum for FFI" will be retired. Two years ago, MFT&E adopted Jones & Bartlett as the curriculum for FFI & FFII training needs. What does that mean for you , the local fire chief, training officer or firefighter?

• It means that if you have a member or members of your department working to complete FFI under the '95 program, time is running out.
• It means that if you are considering it as a training program,
  DON'T use it.
• It means if your members, training under this program are not done with the testing process in November, they are out of time.

After November, MFT&E will not be supporting this curriculum in any way. That means:

• NO WRITTEN TEST
• NO PRACTICAL EXAMS
• NO WRITTEN RE-TEST
• NO FIELD DELIVERY CLASSES and
• NO PRINTED MATERIALS.

If you are working to complete the '95 curriculum, please e-mail Peter Rines or call (207) 741-5849. We need to know how many firefighters require testing. After November 2006, MFTE will only test local training programs that meet NFPA 1001, 2002 Edition, as written exams and skills test sheets are based on NFPA, 1001 FFI & II 2002 Edition.

Check the MFTE calendar for all practical end test schedules.