As we all are dealing with the ramifications of our present reality of COVID-19 based restrictions, the Adams Fire Department is directing its members to courses offered at the UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute. The UL FSRI Fire Safety Academy is a special software application developed for the delivery, administration, documentation, tracking and reporting of educational materials developed to disseminate the research findings of the UL FSRI and ultimately increase the knowledge of the fire service. Topics include tactics, fire suppression, fire dynamics and firefighter safety.

The Fire Safety Academy is designed for the fire service, but registration is open to everyone, at no cost. To register, visit the Sign Up page, provide your name, a valid email address and password. A verification email will be automatically sent to the address provided. Once verified, this will become the USER NAME for accessing the Fire Safety Academy via the Sign In page.

​**IMPORTANT- The Fire Safety Academy allows department Training Officers to access and to track your training. During the sign up process you simply identify your department by Fire Department Identification Number or FDID# (Adams Fire Department 3004).

Although we have been lucky with some unseasonably warm temperatures of late, winter training is often an inside affair. Topics like CPR, first aid training and hazmat make up a recognizable staple of training topics. This past Tuesday, training was a bit different as the fire department did a tabletop or a simulation of an actual event, in this case a fire that happened in the eastern part of the state.

First a video showing the fire scene before the local department arrived was shown. Then, using large maps of the area, teams set about enacting a response. Later, using props, each group explained what they planned. Lastly, the video of the actual event was continued, showing what had actually occurred.

Training scenarios like this help make us think about "what if" in our communities: how would we handle this event; how does our policy, procedure, protocol, training, rules, orders etc... apply to this scenario; what would be our turnout, our staffing our equipment response?"

For a 3rd year in a row, Lt. Mike Therrien and his crew of firefighter/cardboard creation masters have successfully competed in a cardboard sled competition, this year taking home the top prize for most creative, a train complete with a locomotive, a flatbed trailer delivering a new fire truck and of course, a caboose! The level of detail was truly outstanding. Congratulations to all those involved in taking part and representing the company so well. 

​Soon the snow will be falling and mounting up and up and up...please remember to clean out those little yellow friends near your house or street corner, they are much happier if they do not have snow within 3 feet of them!....become part of the 2nd annual Hydrant Helper - fire hydrant snow clearing contest hosted by the Alert Hose Company and the Adams Fire Department. Thank you to AJ's Trailside Pub and Bounti-Fare Restaurant for the continued community support. Be safe and enjoy!....please share with friends and family.

This is a powerful video featuring 911 dispatch and helmet camera footage of the rescue of a young girl in a house fire. This real-life rescue showcasing the great work of Fairfax County Fire and Rescue firefighters provides a significant example of why people should Close Before You Doze. Still not convinced after watching this compelling, true-story video or just want more information on CBYD, visit ​https://firstresponders.closeyourdoor.org/.