More than 2,000 firefighters expected at state fire school in G.I.

While Nebraska's volunteer fire departments are primarily located in rural areas of the state, preparing for terrorist attacks in the nation's "food basket" is still of vital importance, said Norm Hoeft, first vice chairman of the National Volunteer Fire Council.

That's one of the reasons the Nebraska State Fire School has added a class on mass casualty decontamination operations to this year's array of courses.

"Your home communities, of course, have got to be protected," Hoeft said.

The class will help firefighters learn basic decontamination skills and become familiar with different types of protective clothing. Participants will also be trained on operating one of the state's decontamination trailers.

The 71st annual fire school, which runs today through Sunday at Fonner Park in Grand Island, offers volunteer firefighters from across the state a chance to learn both basic and advanced firefighting skills, Hoeft said. Classes will also be held at Central Community College.

As of Thursday afternoon, 1,600 people had already registered to participate in the weekend's activities. Hoeft said he expects about 2,000 firefighters to come to Grand Island before the weekend is through.

The Nebraska State Fire School, sponsored by the Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighter's Association, is the largest of its kind in the country, said Eldon Moser, school director.  It attracts participants from as far away as California and New York.

Volunteer firefighters come to be instructed on topics that might not otherwise be available to their department because of either funding or distance, Moser said. The Nebraska state fire marshals also see the school as an efficient and cost-effective way of providing instruction, as the classes are in one central location.

A number of state agencies, including the fire marshals, Forest Service, Department of Health and Human Services and Emergency Management Agency, among others, will provide instruction. Classes cover all phases of firemanship, fire investigation, rescue, fire safety and fire prevention.

"Anybody that has anything to do with emergencies will be here," Hoeft said.

Other new classes for this year include red card certification training for wildfires and training on structural firefighting operations management.

In addition to the classes offered, participants come to the Nebraska State Fire School to visit with vendors, Hoeft said.  Departments are nearing the budgeting season, and many fire chiefs use the weekend as a chance to see and price out new equipment. The arena, concourse and part of the parking lot will be filled with vendors showcasing their most advanced tools and vehicles for firefighting.

Funding for the school is provided through vendor fees, donations and the participating fire departments, for which the fire school is an invaluable resource.

"There's training offered here that they can't probably get at their home station," Hoeft said. "They can come every year and gain new knowledge.”