02/09/09

HOT Class FAQ's

Bradford County EMS & Fire Instructors

Who can request a HOT class?

The Chief or Training Officer of any Bradford County Fire Department can request a HOT class.

How do they request a class?

The appropriate officer should contact a Bradford County instructor and ask for a specific class.  The instructors and their contact information are listed on the BC Fire Training website.   

Who should take a HOT class?

Hot classes are designed for relatively inexperienced firefighters or as a review for veteran firefighters.  The class can include firefighters from both levels.

What subjects are available?

The classes concentrate on the basic skills firefighters predominantly use on the fireground.  A partial list includes laying the 5” supply line, advancing and using handlines, using ladders on the fireground, roof ventilation, positive pressure ventilation, using rope on the fireground, rescue from a tractor rollover, use of masterstreams, The Blitz Attack, and so on (this is only a limited list).  Classes can be developed for almost any fireground or rescue subject.

What are the characteristics of a HOT class?

The class always involves hands on work.  It will last from 2 to 4 hours.  It deals with skills that firefighters use on the fireground or in rescue situations.  It does not take the place of the standard Pennsylvania State Fire Academy curriculum.  Departments should not use HOT classes to replace these courses.

Can two or more departments join for one HOT class?

Yes, as long as one of the departments acts as the host and the number of students in the class is appropriate for the class.

Can we do more than one HOT class?

Departments can host one class per year but can join with a nearby department when it hosts a class.

What expenses are there for the class?

The BC instructors have agreed to teach the class for free.  However, given the costs of travel, they will charge for mileage at the rate established by Bucks County Community College.  The host department will assume the costs for any training materials needed for the class.