To Fire Chiefs, Training Officers and Firefighters:
Over the last several weeks preparations have been made for our 2009
Annual Galesburg Fire School to be held at the Galesburg Fire Department
Regional Training Site on Saturday, August 22. Classes are still being
finalized. I must apologize for my procrastination, knowing this is a
relatively easy process. This year is different, even from last year,
as once again the state has swept OSFM funding which includes
Cornerstone classes that are the basis for our school. As I write this
letter, Cornerstone may be done for the year. I urge you to contact
your State Representative and Senators to not only restore Cornerstone
funding but to place Cornerstone funds where they cannot be diverted for
other uses.
Despite budget problems the show will go on with an increase in our
registration fee to $20 per student, support from our friends at Alexis
Fire Equipment and help from IFSI we will host the following classes:
1. 8-hour, SCBA
2. 8-hour, Fire Ground Search and Rescue
3. 8-hour, Fire Behavior and Smoke
4. 4-hour, Firefighter Rehab and Heat Management
5. 8-hour, Essentials (basic stuff for rookies)
6. 6-hour, MABAS and You
7. NIMS 100 and 200
Please review the list and decide which classes you will take so when
the proper forms arrive you may make the choices necessary.
Class minimums must be met. We need to show our supporters we can come
out in force, even in desperate times, and produce BIG numbers. If we
fail to do so, this school could follow the path of others in this area
and we will lose this valuable training resource.
The official class descriptions and proper forms should be in the mail soon.
Sincerely,
Larry Cowser, Galesburg Fire School