Scuttlebutt 9/19

Whitner Receives VCOS Training Officer Award

TargetSolutions and the International Association of Fire Chief’s (IAFC) Volunteer & Combination Officers Section (VCOS) have named Lee Whitner of South Adams County, CO, Fire Department, as the recipient of the 2019 VCOS Training Officer Recognition Award. Whitner was recognized during the annual VCOS meeting during the 2019 Fire-Rescue International (FRI) in Atlanta.

Chief Witner receiving her award from Robbi King of TargetSolutions.

"I'm very excited to receive this award," Whitner said. "It really highlights the organization's commitment to training. This wouldn't happen without the Chief [Bob Monzingo] and line personnel bringing their A-game. This training award really highlights the whole team."

The award honors exemplary conduct and dedication by a training officer. Whitner displayed those qualities at her combination department by developing and implementing several innovative processes and programs, including the “Volunteer Extreme” training curriculum.

"Chief Whitner has built a training program that has far exceeded what we expected, or thought possible," Monzingo said. "In her time here, she developed, manages and maintains our training and certifications, leads our safety committee and started an Honor Guard program. She remains actively involved with Colorado Fire Training Officers and contributes a great deal to the fire service in general."

The goal of the "Volunteer Extreme" program is to ensure the effectiveness of the agency's volunteer personnel who are challenged to complete training due to time constraints. After meeting with her members, she rolled out monthly training explicitly targeted for volunteers.

"The training offers specific topics related to core skills in a setting that ensures the students have the opportunity to train at their pace," said Monzingo. "This program has received very positive feedback and will help our organization keep the volunteer-reserve component that founded our department."

In addition to the "Volunteer Extreme" program, Whitner conducts “learn to study” sessions to help members prepare for mandatory tests. She also provides “real-world” hands-on application techniques to crew members, and helps implement citizen and youth academies, as well as Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) to help others develop their own programs. Whitner also manages her agency's utilization of the TargetSolutions online training management platform.

This marks the sixth consecutive year TargetSolutions and the VCOS have teamed up to present this award.

For more information, visit targetsolutions.com.

David Clark Taking Headset System Giveaway Entries

David Clark Company is now taking entries from volunteer fire departments within the U.S. and Canada for its Biannual Headset System Giveaway. Winning volunteer departments will receive a free, custom-designed headset communication system for the vehicle or vessel of their choice, plus free system installation and a one-day training session at their location.

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David Clark wired, wireless and digital communication systems are designed to dramatically improve firefighter safety and situational awareness both en route and at the scene. Winners will be selected based on a review of official entry forms. Based on the needs of the department, the winning department may receive a series 3800 Intercom System, a Series 9900 Intercom System, a combination of both or a Series 9100 Digital Intercom System.

The company said in a statement, “The David Clark Biannual Headset System Giveaway is our small way of saying 'thank you' to the thousands of volunteer firefighters who selflessly serve and protect their communities.”

Departments must be all volunteer or more than 50 percent volunteer, be located in the U.S. or Canada and demonstrate a need for a David Clark Headset Communication System.

The first winner will be announced on the company’s website on Nov. 28, 2019 (Thanksgiving Day). A second winning department will be announced in April 2020.

Entries may be submitted online at dc-vfdgiveaway.com. For more information, visit davidclarkcompany.com.

DRONERESPONDERS Names Inaugural Board of Advisors

The DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Alliance is designed to serve as a clearinghouse of public safety drone information that will communicate, collaborate and coordinate with and between public safety drone programs and public safety remote pilots by compiling, creating and sharing policies, procedures, best practices, lessons learned and trends.

The alliance recently selected 41 members to its inaugural board of advisors. The board members come from a wide range of backgrounds, including:

Greg Agvent, Senior Director of National News Technology, CNN AIR, Georgia
Darshan Divakaran, UAS Program Engineer, NCDOT, North Carolina
Paige Fitzgerald, UAS Program Manager, Delaware Emergency Management, Delaware
Cathy Lanier, Senior Vice President of Security, National Football League, New York
Michael Leo, Captain, UAS Lead, Fire Department of New York, New York
Steve Rhode, Chief Pilot, Wake Forest Fire Department, North Carolina
And 35 others (For a complete list, visit droneresponders.org.)

“We are extremely fortunate to have such high-caliber leaders willing to pitch in and support the DRONERESPONDERS mission,” said Chief Charles Werner (ret.), director of the DRONERESPONDERS program and author of Firehouse Magazine’s Fire Technology column. “This board of advisors will provide their specific expertise to help ensure that we are focusing on the proper goals and objectives to facilitate the use of UAS by public safety agencies.”

Werner said all DRONERESPONDERS advisory board members will serve an initial term from July 1 to Dec. 31, 2020. The advisors will then either be retained or replaced for a new one- or two-year terms starting Jan. 1, 2021 and resulting in one-half of the DRONERESPONDERS advisory board positions re-opening on an annual basis.

DRONERESPONDERS Advisors Chief Harold Schapelhouman, Menlo Park Fire District (l.) and Battalion Chief Richard Fields, Los Angeles Fire Department (c.) join Captain Vern Salle, Chula Vista Police Department at the 2019 UAS DRONES Disaster Conference in Los Angeles to speak about the growing use of drones by public safety agencies. Photo courtesy DRONERESPONDERS

“The adoption of UAS in the public safety sector is evolving extremely rapidly,” said Werner. “It’s vital for DRONERESPONDERS to keep pace by continually absorbing and promoting new concepts and fresh ideas from those serving as our advisors.”

Werner wants more individuals to become involved and contribute to the DRONEREPONDERS mission through spearheading various committees, working groups and task forces. He said DRONERESPONDERS is presently establishing partnerships across academia, industry, government agencies (local, state and federal), and nongovernmental organizations.

“Make no mistake, we want and need all the help we can get in making the DRONERESPONDERS program successful,” said Werner. “We have opportunities for everyone who has a strong desire to participate and contribute to get involved!”

Individuals and organizational representatives interested in becoming more involved in the DRONERESPONDERS program should visit droneresponders.org to join the no-fee program.