Volume 4 Number 45
November 9, 2007
STATE FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE ANNOUNCES 13TH ANNUAL GREAT FLORIDA FIRE SCHOOL

Firefighters from throughout Florida converged this week in the Central Florida community of Avon Park to receive the latest training on firefighting and investigative techniques to help them prepare for potential disaster, whether manmade or natural.

Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, who also serves as State Fire Marshal and oversees the Florida State Fire College, said the 13th Annual Great Florida Fire School will help Florida’s firefighters access ongoing training they need to better protect their communities and themselves. The classes began on Wednesday, November 7, 2007, and continue through Sunday, November 11, 2007. Most events will be held at the South Florida Community College, just south of downtown Avon Park. 

“We are committed to ensuring Florida’s emergency responders have access to the best and most up-to-date training and information to accomplish their work successfully and safely,” said CFO Sink.

Classes were offered in rural water supply, water rescue and survival, Extreme Extrication, and a Saturday/Sunday round robin event involving flashover, structural collapse, and confined space rescue. Special vehicles will be brought in from the Florida State Fire College, Naples Fire Department, and Indian River Community College for the round robin. For a complete list of activities and classes, log on to www.greatfloridafireschool.org.

The Great Florida Fire School began 13 years ago and has been an annual event. It has traveled through a number of locations in the state and this is the fourth year that it will be held in Avon Park. This year’s fire school is a cooperative effort of the Department of Financial Services, the State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Florida State Fire College, The Florida State Firefighter’s Association, The South Florida Community College, the local area Fire Chief’s Associations, the Florida Division of Forestry, the Convention & Visitors Bureau of Highlands County, Avon Park Chamber of Commerce and the Highlands County Board of County Commissioners.