Four McMinnville firemen complete rigorous training
Up until about a week ago, training for some members of McMinnville Fire Department left a lot to be desired.
That all changed after four fire fighters endured a grueling eight-week training session at the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy that opened last fall in Bedford County.
Prior to that, state budget issues had kept the academy closed and local municipalities were left to their own training devices, which local experts said cannot compare to the academy’s training.
Last week, fire fighters Kevin Duncan, Scott Norrod, Brad Weaver and Jason Nunley become the first of a class of 24 to graduate from the academy.
Duncan, a married father of two and an eight-year volunteer and assistant chief of North Warren Fire Department who has worked for the city for 1-1/2 years, said the training was invaluable. Several wanted to drop out because of the military-like intensity, but no one did, Duncan said. Fire fighters were allowed trips home only on the weekends.
“Fire fighting training is a never-ending thing. You always train. Stuff you think you know, but you don’t really know – the training has helped me 100 different ways,” Duncan said.
“This is the first fire fighter class that went through it. The training was hard. It was very disciplined training. It was hard starting out but once we got through it, I’m very glad I’ve had it now.”
Jason Nunley, a one-year veteran of the department and seven-year volunteer with Centertown Fire Department, said he learned about search and rescue, hazardous materials, different types of fires, chemicals, tools and ventilation strategies, as well as how better to cope with on-the-job stress.
“They say the No. 1 thing that kills a lot of fire fighters is heart attacks. That’s because they are working so hard. It showed us how to reduce stress,” he added.
McMinnville Fire Chief Kevin Lawrence said there is no comparison between localized training and a comprehensive training course, which can make for a safer community.
“Without that knowledge, they’re lost,” Lawrence said. “They just don’t understand what makes a fire tick.”
Five other McMinnville fire fighters are scheduled to attend the training in late April. The course costs $1,500 each person, but the training is mandatory, Lawrence said.