EPSAR Courses

This 4 hour program discusses the characteristics of water related emergencies & the health & safety risks to first responders. This program addresses the common hazards associated with water rescue emergencies, as well as, the first responders initial role, on scene responsibilities & responder limitations. This course will assist to increase the responders ability to maintain scene/rescuer safety & control. During this program, students are introduced to important safety procedures related to weather exposure & physiological conditions, near drowning, personal protective equipment, including PFD’s and initial action plan development for water rescue emergencies will be presented in this program.

This 16 hour program is designed to familiarize students with water rescue and the problems associated with it. Topics include statistics, planning, hypothermia, drowning, shore based rescues, shallow water crossing and self rescue. Students will be required to pass a swimming test at the beginning of the class. The student will need a swimsuit, towel, get wet clothing for prevailing weather conditions, a whistle, personal floatation device (PFD) and a water rescue helmet (If Available). Prerequisite: Must be 18 years of age!

This 4 hour program discusses the characteristics of ice related emergencies and the health risks to First Responders. This program addresses the common hazards associated with ice rescue emergencies. This course will assist to increase the ability of the first responder to maintain scene safety. The students will learn important safety procedures to weather exposure and drowning. Personnel protective equipment for ice rescue emergencies will also be presented in this program.

This 16 hour program is a mix of classroom and on the ice practical sessions, dealing with ice emergencies and the safe and effective methods to handle them. Students will need proper clothing for prevailing weather conditions, a set of warm, dry clothes to change into, a personal floatation device and a helmet (if Available).

All students who successfully complete the Water or Ice Rescue Program will receive a certificate from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, as well as a Pennsylvania State Fire Academy Certificate. Prerequisites: Must be 18 years of age! Must also possess Water Rescue and Emergency Response.

This 40 hour program is presented in a classroom setting to teach more advanced search operation techniques and organizational skills to the units responding to a lost person incident.

This 16 hour program is presented in a classroom setting to present basic search operation technique and organizational skills to the first responding units to a lost person incident.

This 16 hour program is presented in a combination of classroom and fieldwork to present grid search methods and teach the student comprehensive map/compass skills and patient evacuation skills.

For the Search and Rescue Programs, students will need outdoor clothing appropriate for weather conditions, work or hiking boots, eye protection and a compass.

All students who successfully complete any of the Wilderness Search and Rescue Programs will receive a certificate from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as well as a Pennsylvania State Fire Academy certificate.

This 3 hour program will teach the first responder how to identify & tie basic knots and how to apply the correct knot to lift & lower equipment.

This 16 hour program is designed for personnel whose duties require training in basic rope rescue knowledge and skills but not in rappelling. Students are introduced to rope construction, rope characteristics, rope hardware and various knots and hitches. They will participate in patient packaging and stokes litter handling exercises and will be trained in practical haul systems and their uses. Students will need a helmet, leather work gloves, boots and eye protection.

This 6 hour program reviews basic fire/rescue knots and the use of specialized rope rescue equipment. Emphasis is placed on scene and rescuer safety, mechanical advantage, belay systems & victim packaging & removal. Lessons will be reinforced through integrated rescue exercises.

Students will need the following equipment: Helmet with a chin strap (fire, construction or climbing), eye protection, leather gloves, work or hiking boots, (NO SNEAKERS), outdoor work clothing appropriate for weather conditions & water bottle for fluids. Students may bring additional personal or department owned equipment but all such equipment will be subject to inspection prior to use.

This 6 hour program is designed to reinforce lessons learned from previous ropes & rigging classes through the use of controlled practical scenarios. The student must be able to tie a variety of knots & apply them to various rescue equipment and techniques.

This 16 hour program provides an introduction to rope, basic rope construction, knots, safe rappelling techniques and basic haul system construction. Students will need a helmet, leather work gloves, boots and eye protection.

This 16 hour program provides the student with an in depth and hands on experience with rope and rappelling. Current equipment, skills and knowledge will be developed to effectively and safely perform vertical rescues. This program builds on the skills and knowledge developed in Rope High Angle Rescue I.

Students will be trained on how to execute a rope change and a one person rescue (Pick-Off). The basic skills to rig, haul, lower, ascend, descend, stop and get out of common problems are presented, demonstrated and practiced.

Students will need a helmet with a chinstrap, eye protection, leather work gloves and boots. In addition, students will need to provide (1) 1" x 20' piece of tubular webbing or an acceptable seat harness.

All students who successfully complete any of these programs in Rope Rescue will receive a certificate from the Pa. State Fire Academy. Prerequisites: Rope High Angle Rescue I (RORE) or Department of Health Basic Rescue (DHBR)

This 2 hour program reviews lockout tagout policies & procedures that create a safe & effective work environment. Topics include identifying energy sources, isolation procedures, de-energizing & verification, hazards communications and terminating incidents involving energy source isolation.

This 4 hour program is designed to familiarize students with operations at the scene of a structural collapse, so they may be able to function at the initial stages of a structural collapse operation, identify and mitigate hazards, recognize the need for assistance and perform as an integral part of the overall operation once technical rescue teams are on site.

This 16 hour program gives fire department and rescue personnel the knowledge and skills necessary to operate effectively at incidents involving the collapse of light frame and heavy wall structures. Students are given extensive hands on instruction in structure assessment, emergency shoring and stabilization, breaching building materials, patient packaging and extrication.

Students will need the following equipment: Helmet with a chin strap (fire, construction or climbing), eye protection, ear protection, leather gloves, work or hiking boots, (NO SNEAKERS), knee pads, outdoor work clothing or coveralls appropriate for weather conditions.

All students who successfully complete any of these programs in Structural Collapse will receive a Pennsylvania State Fire Academy Certificate for each class. Prerequisites: Must be 18 years of age! Must also possess Structural Collapse Level I.

This 8 hour program gives the fire departments & rescue personnel a refresher base of knowledge & skills necessary to operate effectively at incidents involving the collapse of light frame and heavy wall structures. Students are given extensive hands on instruction in structure assessment, emergency shoring & stabilization & breaching light building materials.

This 16 hour course deals primarily with rescues involving confined spaces. Topics include definitions, regulations, identification, logistics, toxicology and techniques.

Students will need note taking materials, helmet with a chinstrap, work boots (steel toe preferred), eye protection, positive pressure SCBA, knee pads, work clothes or coveralls that may become muddy and 2 pair of gloves.

All students who successfully complete the Confined Space Rescue course will receive a certificate from the Pa. State Fire Academy. Prerequisites: Must be 18 years of age! Must possess Rope/High Angle Rescue I or Basic Rigging for Rope Rescue (ROBR) and Respiratory Protection I (REPR).

Through classroom sessions & practical fieldwork, this 8 hour program will give the student the ability to function safely and effectively as a member of a rescue team, operating at the scene of a confined space emergency. The subjects to be covered include safety procedures, definitions, rigging techniques, rescue techniques and practical application through integrated exercises. This program is designed to follow the OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.146

Students will need the following equipment: Helmet with a chin strap (fire, construction or climbing), eye protection, leather gloves, work or hiking boots, (NO SNEAKERS), knee pads, outdoor work clothing or coveralls appropriate for weather conditions and SCBA (Positive Pressure Only). Firefighter turn-out gear is not acceptable for this class. Prerequisites: Must be 18 years of age! Must possess Rope/High Angle Rescue I or Basic Rigging for Rope Rescue (ROBR) and Respiratory Protection I (REPR).

This 4 hour program will give the responder the knowledge of how to respond to a trench collapse emergency. The course will point out the hazards associated with a trench collapse and actions that the first responder can take prior to the arrival of the rescue team. Topics include case studies, collapse types, hazard control & identification, shoring overview and initial response actions.

This course will introduce the student to the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and effectively perform complex rescue operations in collapsed trench excavations. Course work will include practical drills and demonstration in simulated trench excavations.

Students will need: List will be supplied to students at time of enrollment.

All students who successfully complete the Trench Rescue course will receive a certificate from the Pa. State Fire Academy. Prerequisite: Must be 18 years of age!

This course, developed by the Volunteer Firemen's Insurance Services, provides instruction in techniques of driving emergency vehicles under all conditions. Students will learn the importance of vehicle dynamics, driver selection, condition and preparation for safe vehicle operations. The course includes practice on a driving course laid out to simulate various driving conditions. Also included is a section on service and preventive maintenance.

All personnel who successfully complete the Emergency Vehicle Driver Training course will receive a certificate from the Pa. State Fire Academy. Prerequisite: Must be 18 years of age and possess a valid drivers license.

For more information on these courses please contact Chief Roger Tobias on the home page.