Firefighter Completes Initial Training

 
By Firefighter Mark Robertson Sr.
January 5, 2008
 

Firefighter Jonathan Blackwell has completed the Firefighter I class at the Burlington County Emergency Services Training Center. Firefighter Blackwell finished second in his class, and missed finishing first by five-tenths of a percent. During the class, Firefighter Blackwell was assigned as a Company Leader within his Battalion. His class finished with approximately 40 other students from Burlington and Mercer Counties.

The Firefighter I class consists of 130 hours of classroom and hands-on instructions. The students are given training on various topics such as the History of Firefighting, Search and Rescue, Ladders, and the use of their Self Contained Breathing Apparatus. Upon completion of the training the students were subjected to 12 hours of hands-on evaluations and a 100 question written test. In addition to this training, Firefighter Blackwell and his classmates had to complete 12 hours of basic Hazardous Materials training to graduate.

Firefighter Blackwell is now eligible to receive his Firefighter I Certification from the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety. He will now become a Interior Structural Firefighter with the department.

Congratulations to Firefighter Blackwell on his graduation and his dedication to training.