Spots Still Open for Expo Hands-On Training

With less than two weeks to go, there are still spots open for hands-on training classes at Firehouse Expo in Baltimore, Md.

Classes scheduled for Tuesday, July 22 are full but there are currently spots open on Wednesday, July 23.

Sue Palmer, Firehouse Expo Hands-On Training Program Manager, said in many cases, attendees choose Wednesday over Tuesday because the main conference doesn't start until Thursday.

She pointed out, however, that those attendees who enroll in Tuesday's hands-on training classes can take part in pre-conference sessions on Wednesday.

There are seven classes scheduled for both days compared to ten held on each day last year. Two of the classes need to be canceled due to economic restraints, according to Palmer.

"Based on this economic climate, we're happy that we're sold out on Wednesday," she said.

The economic times are especially having a big impact on small and rural departments, which is something Palmer said makes the hands on training classes even more important than they were in past years.

"A lot of departments are sending people out for training that they can't do on their own," Palmer said. "I think the classes are extremely important as far as keeping them up on the training. There aren't a lot of training opportunities out there at trade shows."

The sign up period opened about six months ago, but Palmer said that in the case of popular classes like Forcible Entry, people call before registration has even begun.

This year, the Rapid Intervention Team class is returning to the program. It was last offered in 2007 and is part of a group of rotating sessions that interchange from year-to-year.

"We try to keep the core ones and get some others ones in there," Palmer said.

The Coordinated and Controlled Fire Attack class to be held by Mike Dugan is set to debut this year and for first time, driver training involving both simulators and an interactive driving course will be held in Montgomery County.

Another change to this year's program will be that a majority of the classes will be brought back into Baltimore City, where as in the past years attendees were bused into Rockville, Md. for a bulk of them.

Palmer said that the willingness of Baltimore officials to cooperate with Firehouse Expo has allowed them to shorten the trip for this year's attendees. It has been about three years since most of the classes have been held in Baltimore.

Those who wish to attend one of this year's classes can log on to the Firehouse Expo Web site to view openings and register.

"The biggest draw for hands-on training is that it's something attendees can't get anywhere else," Palmer said. "Most of them don't necessarily care who's instructing -- some do -- but it's the training their coming for."