Firefighters Attend Fire School

Three members of the Van Volunteer Fire Department attended the Texas A&M Municipal Fire School held this past week in College Station.

The week long school had 2000 attendees from several states training in various live fire, rescue, and classroom courses.

Van Captain Bobby Hynes completed the NFPA 1041 Instructor I class as a requirement of his duties as the Department’s Certification Coordinator. The 40 hour class prepares instructors to teach skills and techniques using a plan of instruction.

Firefighters Blake Homer and Bowdy Gilchrist completed the Automobile Extrication course. They learned skills to safely extricate patients from various types of accidents. During the class, topics such as alternative fuels, airbag systems, hydraulic tool operations, and new vehicle construction were covered and related to the safety of first responders assisting in motor vehicle collisions.