11.13.11 Calling the Mayday
The Rapid Intervention Operations Course concluded today with the Calling the Mayday module. The students participated in the National Fire Academy course consisting of lecture and hands on training. The video below shows a firefighter falling through a floor prop. Students in this course are required to recognize the Mayday parameters and properly call the Mayday.

10.31.11 Multi Force Prop Arrives
On Saturday October 29th, the Training Academy took delivery of our newest training prop. Mike Perrone and the folks at Firehouse Innovations (FHI) delivered our brand new Multi-Force Forcible Entry Training Door System. Instructors in attendance received a Train the Trainer session from FHI employees. The prop will be available for scheduling on November 1st, 2011. See our Facility page for more information.

10.30.11 Rapid Intervention Operations
Hands on training for this semester's course began on Sunday. Firefighters conducted training in the use of emergency air supply systems, firefighter carries & drags and rope assisted search techniques.

The next set of skills will include Grade to Grade Rescue and Upper Floor Removal of firefighters. This 24-hour course is offered several times a year by the Training Academy.

Instructor Donald "Gene" DeRogatis instructs FF Ken Gaylin (Unexcelled Fire Co.) on the use of the UAC.

10.28.11 Holding the Nozzle
In this week's Training Tip, Captain Jack Hueston discusses the proper technique for holding the nozzle. Read more.

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10.23.11 Pump Operations Course Concludes
Firefighters from three departments successfully completed the Pump Operations course this weekend. The twenty two hour course that spanned four days, prepared driver trainees and would be operators on fire service pumps. Most of the attendees had the opportunity to work on their own company apparatus. Good luck to the new or soon to be operators from Middletown, Tinton Falls and Scotch Plains.

Students utilize a Fol-Da-Tank to conduct drafting operations.

10.20.11 Flashover Awareness
Video of Firefighters in South Bend, Indiana who were recently caught in a flashover has sparked a lot of discussion. Captain Christopher K. Ayotte discusses Flashover Awareness in this week's Training Tip. Read more. Watch the video.

10.15.11 Advanced SCBA & Air Management Course Concludes
A group of Firefighters from five (5) different Departments completed this recent course. The students in this course worked extremely well together and accomplished all of the course goals. Several of he course attendees will be returning for the upcoming Rapid Intervention Operations course.

10.13.11 CPR & AED Healthcare Provider Course is Full
The upcoming American Heart Association Healthcare Provider course is now full. Registrations received from this point forward will be placed on a waiting list. The Training Academy will offer another course early in 2012. Check back for updates.

10.11.11 Fire Prevention Week
This year's theme for Fire Prevention week is "Protect You Family From Fire". According to a United States Fire Administration report, an estimated 374,900 residential building fires are reported to U.S. fire departments each year and cause an estimated 2,630 deaths, 13,075 injuries, and $7.6 billion in property loss.

Cooking is the leading cause of residential building fires, followed by heating.

Residential building fires peak over the evening dinner hours when cooking fires are prevalent.

For more information on Fire Prevention Week log on to the USFA website here.

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10.08.11 Rope Level I & II Course Concludes
The firefighters who enrolled in the 24 hour course, may have gotten more than they bargained for. The course, which met all of the NFPA 1006 requirements, enabled the students to develop skills in advanced rope techniques. From rappelling to litter tending and ascending to high lines, the course provided a solid foundation for these new technical rescuers. Almost all of the students will be joining the Special Service Emergency Response Team as Technical Rescue component members.

Left photo: Chief Michael Lee ascends using prusik cords. Photo right: Firefighter Michael Scott inverts to perform a rescue.

10.07.11 New Training Academy Patch
After several revisions the Board of Directors are proud to release the new Training Academy patch. The new patch symbolizes the professionalism displayed by the Academy's founders and all those who have proudly served on staff over the years. The former patch, in service since the early 1980's, will be memorialized in display case hung in the Academy halls.

Special thank you to Tinton Falls Firefighter James Crawford for his artistic guidance and design of the new patch.

09.29.11 Gemtor Course Added to Semester
The Training Academy has added another Gemtor training course to the end of the semester. This is a 12 hour program intended to provide the student with an overview of the harness and life saving rope procedures. This course will also provide the student with the Gemtor's multiple uses in rescue operations. For more information click here.

09.10.11 Ropes & Rigging Course
Students in the Basic Ropes & Rigging Course were exposed to a number of basic rope concepts that included anchor, lowering and rappelling systems. Instructors Kevin Fitzhenry and Donald DeRogatis Jr. kept the class busy with a number of skills throughout the day. Next up for this group of students will be the NFPA Rope Level I & II course later this month.

Instructors Fitzhenry and DeRogatis look on as these students practice anchor systems.

09.07.11 NJ Division of Fire Safety Fall Courses
Today the DFS released its Fall Semester brochure. The courses offered by DFS are free to all firefighters in the state. Download a copy here.

09.01.11 Technical Rescuer Course Update
The upcoming Technical Rescuer-Rope Level I & II course is full. Registrations received from this point forward will be put on a waiting list.

08.19.11 RIC Staging
Captain Matt Spears discusses where to stage the Rapid Intervention Crew in this weeks Training Tip. Read more.

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08.14.11 Boating Safety Course Delivered
On August 14th, twenty nine students successfully completed the New Jersey Boating Safety certification course. Students who successfully complete this course receive their certification operate any vessel on NJ waterways. Interested in this course? The Training Academy generally offers this course three times yearly.

08.12.11 Estimating the Hose Stretch
Captain Jack Hueston discusses estimating the hose stretch in this weeks Training Tip. Read more.

08.05.11 Building Construction
Captain John Drucker discusses building construction types in this weeks Training Tip. Read more.

08.05.11 Pump Operator Skills
On July 31st the training academy delivered a full day of pump operator refresher training for Station 6. Qualified, new and soon to be operators participated in several skills evolutions designed to both review and refine their abilities.

Instructor Jack Hueston makes the drafting tank ready for use.

08.04.11 Boating Safety Course Update
The Boating Safety Course scheduled for August 14th is full. Registrations received from this point forward will be placed on a waiting list. Students will be contacted in the order in which we received their registration forms.

07.30.11 Pressurized Water Cans
Staff member Marcelo Aguirre discusses use of water cans during search in this week's Training Tips. Read more.

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07.29.11 The Training Academy is now on Twitter
The Social Media market is growing by the minute. We're doing our part to keep up with the fast paced needs our students and customers. Keep up with what's happening at the academy. Follow us on Twitter @MTFDAcademy.

07.23.11 Robertsville Pump Operations Course
In early July, the Robertsville Volunteer Fire Company (Marlboro Fire District #2) secured the services of the Training Academy to deliver a Pump Operations course for its members. Throughout the week of July 11, staff members traveled to Marlboro and delivered a custom designed course utilizing Robertsville's hall for lectures and several local sites for hands on training. The students who attended were trained on their own apparatus exposing them to as much actual pump panel time as possible. The final hands on portion of the course was delivered on July 17th. Fourteen members completed the training.

07.22.11 Heat Related Injuries
Staff member Rich Michitsch discusses heat related injuries in this week's training tip. Read more.

07.02.11 Training Academy Launches YouTube Page
The Training Academy is utilizing web content and social media to every advantage possible. Our new YouTube page will feature short video segments on a variety of training topics. Send in your requests to have our staff produce a training video. Click here to visit the page and subscribe to follow us.

07.01.11 Training Academy Expands Offerings to the Public
The Training Academy continues to expand its course offerings to provide valuable training opportunities to the general public. This year the Training Academy is offering another open enrollment Boating Safety course.

All persons who wish to operate a power vessel must possess a Boating Safety Certificate. Successful completion of this course will result in a Boating Safety Certificate issued by the New Jersey State Police. Click here more more information. Civilians who wish to attend this course must submit a registration form. Click here to download the form.

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06.30.11 Fall Semester Approved
The Fall 2011 semester begins on August 2nd. The Board of Directors are proud to offer another semester of quality training programs to the fire service. Please see our course catalog for more information.

06.30.11 Spring Firefighter I Class Graduates
This year’s Spring semester concluded on June 23rd with the graduation of the Spring Firefighter I class. Fifteen Recruits from Middletown, Ocean, Tinton Falls, Fair Haven and Union Beach began their training on March 26th.

After three and a half months of hard work and dedication, the graduating Firefighters successfully complete their “Putting It All Together” evolutions and performed to perfection during the graduation ceremonies.

Congratulations to all of the graduates and good luck in your careers.

1^st row (L to R) Daniel Dunn Jr., Donald Hatter, Joseph Tietz, Ashley Bracken, Mark Williams, Richard Houghton, Ryan Maguire.
2^nd row (L to R) Scott Ritter, Brian Mavrinac, Jordan Bishop, James Longstreet, Robert Henne, Michael Estelle Jr., Michael Navarro, Timothy Anderson.

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