Charleston Fire Department receives True Norths Training Scholarship

True North is pleased to announce the award of the next True North Firefighter Training Scholarship. After careful review of the many applications submitted by departments from across the USA the scholarship was awarded to the City of Charleston Fire Department.

The City of Charleston Fire Department consists of 19 fire companies located throughout the city of Charleston, SC. The city of Charleston has experienced tremendous growth, including many large structures such as strip malls and other commercial buildings. The increase of large commercial spaces created new hazards that firefighters need increased training to face. Hazards such as the ones Charleston firefighters faced in the Sofa Super Store Fire on June 18, 2007.

The Charleston Fire Department, nor their fellow firefighters, will ever forget the tragic loss at the Sofa Super Store Fire in which a flashover and structural collapse contributed to the deaths of nine Charleston firefighters. The department is in the process of rebuilding from the tragedy, in addition to facing the challenges presented by large numbers of retiring firefighters, and significant budget cuts.

The True North Training scholarship will provide $6,000 for training to teach tactics and strategies for engaging commercial "Big Box" fires. True North has partnered with On Scene Training Associates to provide the training. To make sure Charleston firefighters get the greatest benefit from the training Aaron Heller with On Scene Training spent two days in Charleston with the CFD training officer and other fire department personnel learning about the department's current training curriculum, the tools & equipment they use, and the community they protect.

The training program was held on April 26 - April 28, 2011 and  involved a day of interactive classroom education and two days of hand-on skills training.  This course will be a great addition to the Charleston Fire Department's training curriculum and will assist them in bringing a unique and innovative program to all of the CFD firefighters. It is always a thrill to know that we have the opportunity to bring realistic hands-on training to a department who has endured so much, says Aaron Heller from On Scene Training.

Click here for more information and to apply for the True North Firefighter Training Scholarship.