The Round Table
DEPARTMENTS
As one of the first students to attend the National Fire Academy: (1) How did the course you took there compare to other courses you have taken in your fire service career?, (2) Were you able to apply this knowledge to your own work?, (3) Did you impart this knowledge to members of your department or others?, and (4) How did you find the accommodations?
William W. Kehoe, President, Alexandria, Va.: The course I attended at the NFA was Volunteer Fire Service Management, and while it lasted hut two days, the content was comparable to other courses I am taking through the Open Learning Fire Science Program at the University of Maryland. I am using the course material in the day-to-day management of our volunteer company and in formulating our outyear plans and programs. Other members of our company know I attended the course and are working with me as we plan new projects.
The accommodations, in my opinion, were excellent, and given another couple of years and budgetary funding, development of the entire campus to enhance fire service education should be unsurpassed in the world. I look forward to attending future courses at the NFA campus.
John D. Garcia, Chief of Fire Prevention, Jackson, N.J.: The courses that are offered by the NFA are conducted in a very professional atmosphere. In the many courses that I have attended I find those offered by the academy to be of the highest caliber. The materials are the most updated and presented in a concise manner. I have used much of the material presented to me by the instructors in my everyday routines. The class material offered with minor alterations fit within the scope of my community activities.
The technique of training the trainer that is used by the academy staff, I find to be extremely effective in allowing me to present the material. The training that is offered to everyone by the staff can be disseminated to many more students throughout the entire country, thus enabling the fire safety message to reach more people. I find that this is a direct aim with the fire academy’s goal of educating the masses.
On my first trip to the academy I was very impressed with the setting and the accommodations offered. There is a constant atmosphere of learning created throughout the campus. The staff are most courteous and helpful in every way. I felt that at any time any problems arose, the staff was there to aid me in anyway they could. I know that I left the academy with very warm feelings and felt that I was leaving a dear friend when it was my time to leave.
While I was at the academy there was a wide range of knowledge that changed hands among the students themselves. Being able to find out that other communities throughout the country have the same problems as my community and how they handled the problem was a definite asset to me.
I congratulate Superintendent Thompson on the outstanding job that he and his entire staff have performed. Their warmth and friendliness are being carried back to many communities throughout the United States. There is and will be an even more profound appreciation for the fire service emanating from its’ students.
W.M. Cole, Jr., District Chief, Fort Worth, Tex.: This course held my interest because of the need in my duty to delegate responsibilities at large fire scenes.
Problems that needed improvement were thought out in advance and planned into the study needed at the academy.
With the arrival of a new chief to Fort Worth, new procedures also are being introduced. The course given at the academy makes it easier for me to understand the new game plans.
The accommodations were excellent.
Arthur J. Good, Sec./Treas., Clayton, Ga.: The course was excellent. The instructors were well versed in the subject. It was the best prepared and delivered course I had ever taken. I have used the content in fire investigations and taught fellow members.
The accommodations were not The Atlanta Hilton, but were very good, clean and comfortable.
Philip T. Yakimchick, Fire Marshal, Ft. Myers, Fla.: Of all the courses I’ve taken in my career, the ones afforded me at the NFA far surpass all the rest. The manner in which the courses were presented was fantastic, least not forget the instructors who give 100 percent to teaching the subject.
All of the subject matter has been applied in my work, daily. With our departmental training program, it has been reasonably easy to teach others what I have learned.
The accommodations at the NFA were more than ample. The individual rooms gave you a good place to study. The food, staff and the people in the community were great.
I’m looking forward to returning to the NFA this summer.
Carl E. Mulley, Lieutenant, Wheeling, W.V.: I felt the course I took on public fire education at the National Fire Academy was one of the best learning experiences I ever had in my fifteen years with the fire service. It was not just the material offered in the course and the instruction, which was outstanding, but the fellow fire fighters from both large and small departments, both paid and volunteer. I found that we all have basically the same type of problems and were able to discuss ways various departments have found to overcome these problems.
As a company officer, I believe this is where public fire education begins. Most of the time, when the public comes into a fire station or when they see a fire truck on the street, these are the men they will question. You can not just tell them to call the fire prevention or public education officer because they will forget as the day goes on, and another question will go unanswered. There are times, however, when you may not know the answer, but you can assist people in finding answers.
Only time will tell if I have been able to help my city’s public fire education officer in the Bureau of Fire Prevention through the knowledge I gained at the National Fire Academy. I do believe, however, that 1 helped a fire prevention officer in a nearby community with his department’s fire education program. It has also helped me to deal more fully with the public that I am exposed to.
I feel the accommodations were very good. The room was very comfortable, and the food was great!
Edward B. Smith, Jr., Chief, Stuart, Fla.: I attended the Hazardous Materials Course and found it to be most informative and I would rate it above other courses I have attended at recognized fire service schools.
I will certainly apply the knowledge to my own work as this department has organized a Haz Mat team and is in need of a comprehensive hazardous materials incident plan.
Not only have I passed the information to members of our Haz Mat team, but I have been giving instruction to other departments in the county utilizing some of the knowledge gained at the fire academy.
The accommodations were adequate. I was t here during a cool period (October) and thankful for that, as I heard that it was unbearable during the hot summer months. I do feel they should make an effort to develop after school hours activities.
Overall, I believe we are really moving ahead with our fire academy, late in coming as it is, but it has my full support and 1 am confident that as it matures it will compare with other service academies. While our department members are volunteers, and it is difficult for them to leave their normal employment, I am encouraging every member to apply for courses.
Larry Stern, Asst. Chief., Boulder, Col.: The Executive Development III course was different from other courses I have taken. The group process of learning, and the student mix presented a different challenge to the student.
The knowledge is being used in our department as it applies to our situation. Many ideas that came from other students are being used here, such as income sources for the fire department and budget for services to the public.
As the department training officer, much of the course material has been published for officer training and study materials.
The accommodations were excellent for student activities, classroom facilities and food.
