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FSTB - Field Programs

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Field Programs

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Mobile Prop Training

To schedule courses, contact Field Programs Manager, Russ Grossman, or the Fire Service Training Bureau at:

Russ Grossman
Field Programs Manager
grossman@dps.state.ia.us
Phone: 515.608.2288 or 515.727.3426

The Field Programs Unit of the Fire Service Training Bureau delivers hundreds of courses to Iowa Fire Departments each year. Participants choose course topics ranging from basic fire fighting skills to advanced fire strategies and tactics. Only qualified instructors teach these programs to assure the fire service receives the best instruction available.

Course Delivery

The majority of courses can be delivered directly to the requesting fire departments and regional fire schools through Mobile Training Units.

Interior Fire Attack Simulator
Interior Fire Attack Simulator. Mobile Training Units. We bring the training to you. The interior fire attach simulator offers live fire training from three different points of entry, smoke conditions to add to the realism, and ventilation capabilities through the roof, windows, and doors. Requirements: Area for a 54 foot trailer, water supply, pumper, 12 firefighters, and desire to train. Contact Russ Grossman, Field Programs Manager at grossman@dps.state.ia.us. Schedule your training now!
Mobile Breathing Apparatus Trailer (MOBAT)
Mobile Breathing Apparatus Trailer (MOBAT)We bring training to you! Mobile Breathing Apparatus Trailer (MOBAT). Whether you are new to the wearing of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or a seasoned firefighter, the smoke-filled in this two-level prop, including stairs and trap doors, will test your skills in communications, restricted passage, search techniques, and self-survival. The MOBAT trailer can be scheduled as a stand-along class or as an in-house offering. Requirements: Full PPE and SCBA for evolutions, area to accommodate a 55 foot trailer and allow participants to operate around the trailer, classroom and audio/visual needs, 12 firefighters, and destire to train. Contact Russ Grossman, Field Programs Manager, at grossman@dps.state.ia.us.
HLPE Gas Trailer
HLPE Trailer. Handling liquified progpane emergencies (HLPE). Handling Propane Emergencies is an eight-hour program designed for all firefighters who may be called upon when propane is inadvertently released from its container. The course starts with a four-hour classroom session on the physical properties and characteristics of propane, followed by a four-hour hands-on evolution demonstrating the proper offensive and defensive techniques for a propane device leak product. Requirements: Area to accommodate liquid propane trainer and allow participants to operate around the trailer with a 100 foot minimum clearance between the container and any structure or obstacle. Classroom and audio-visual needs for classroom segment. Fuel supply. Two separate water sources with a pumping compacity of at least 1000 gpm. Full PPE and SCBA for evolutions. 12 firefighters. Desire to train. Contact Russ Grossman, Field Programs Manager, at grossman@dps.state.ia.us.

HLPE Funding Information

LP Gas “Bobtail” Trainer

Forcible Entry Trailer
Forcible Entry Trailer. If you are in the fire service long enough, you will find yourself faced with a door, window, gate, etc. locked with a chain, padlock, or some form of entry deterrent. This class is designed to allow participants an opportunity to perform forcible entry techniques on door and window props using cut-off saws, pry bars, and other appropriate tools. As the class progresses, the skill level will move from basic to more intermediate and advanced levels. Requirements: Area to accommodate the trailer and props and allow participants to operate around the trailer. Classroom and audio-visual needs for classroom segment. Full PPE and hand-on evolutions. 12 firefighters. Desire to train. Contact Russ Grossman, Field Programs Manager, at grossman@dps.state.ia.us.
Vehicle and Machinery Extrication Trailer

 

Confined Space Entry and Rescue Trainer

 

Mobile Training Tower

 

Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) Trailer

 

The Fire Service Training Bureau also delivers training with "In-House" training kits, as well as "On-Site" training at the Fire Service Training Bureau.

In-House Training

Fire departments with “certified instructors” may borrow teaching kits from the Bureau at little or no cost.  Certified instructors teach the course “In-House," complete the Bureau’s paperwork, and return the materials to the Bureau.  The Bureau will transcript the course, and issue course completion certificates.  The following “In-House” programs are available:

  • Essentials of Firefighter I
  • Essentials of Firefighter II
  • Driver/Operator: Pumping Apparatus
  • Driver/Operator: Aerial Apparatus
  • Incident Command System (ICS)
  • Line of Duty Death and Injury: Why?
  • Rapid Intervention Teams (RIT)
  • Propane Emergencies (classroom portion only)
  • Pipeline Emergencies
  • Ammonia Emergency Response
  • Confined Space Entry and  Rescue
  • National Fire Academy “short courses”
  • National Incident Management System (NIMS IS-700)
On-Site Training

On-Site Training photo

The Fire Service Training Bureau, at its fixed facility in Ames, has the following “props” to support “On-Site” training courses:

  • Skills building
  • Confined space “entry” prop
  • Various flammable gas props, including hot tub, sprinkler, jungle gym, pipeline, etc.
  • Hazardous Materials “Tanker Rollover” prop
  • Vehicle Fire prop
  • Dumpster fire prop

Field Programs Course List

Basic Firefighter Skills
  • Essentials of Firefighter I
  • Essentials of Firefighter II 
  • Interior Fire Attack (using the Interior Fire Attack Simulator)
  • Advanced Breathing Apparatus Training (using the MOBAT Trailer)
  • Live Fire Skills
  • Vehicle Fire Fighting
  • Rapid Intervention Teams
  • Various firefighter skills – individual topics in 3-hour, 6-hour, 9-hour, and 12-hour formats
Hazardous Materials/Terrorism
  • Hazardous Materials: Awareness Level
  • Hazardous Materials: Operations Level
  • Propane Emergencies
  • Pipeline Emergencies
  • Ammonia Emergency Response
  • Flammable Gases (at FSTB only)
Rescue Training
  • Confined Space Entry & Rescue
  • Vehicle Extrication
  • Combine Rescue and Tractor Roll-Over, in cooperation with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS)
  • Rope Rescue, Water and Ice Rescue, Grain Bin Rescue, and Trench Rescue, in cooperation with Professional Rescue Innovations (PRI)
Specialized Training
  • Driver/Operator: Pumping Apparatus
  • Driver/Operator: Aerial Apparatus

Requirements

All Courses Include
  • Appropriate student materials
  • Audio/visual media
  • One instructor (unless otherwise specifically noted)
  • Instructor wages and expenses
  • All course materials are shipped to the instructor prior to the course Individual certificates for each participant
Host Responsibilities
  • Provide a location suitable for the course topic and activities
  • Provide audio/visual equipment
Fire Service Training Bureau Responsibilities
  • Provide schedule and pay the instructor
  • Provide financial statement/billing
  • Provide course coordination
  • Provide certificates for participants
  • Record student course attendance records in the statewide transcript database

FSTB Training Specialists

Interested in being an FSTB Training Specialist?

Please fill out the Training Specialist Application and follow the instructions in the packet.