Training

Our Support Services Division, led by Assistant Chief Michael Randolph, is responsible for the training of department personnel, certification and training records management, continuing education for firefighters, EMTs, paramedics and fire inspectors, and managing recruitment and the Special Operations section.

The Support Services Division creates and delivers courses and drills for company officer development, EMS and fire training.  These drills include a weekly skills performance in conjunction with Alachua County.  The two agencies train together in three scenarios and test their performance in a live-action hands-on environment.  Crews perform a gas line shut off using props, perform a cardiac arrest exercise in an EMS scenario, and work in a simulated building fire with smoke and additional props to make a rescue of a victim and extinguish the fire.

In addition, GFR has a state-of-the-art tactical simulator being developed and used for personnel to see multiple views of an incident and report their findings and actions to the incident commander.  The simulator allows us to take pictures and videos of locations in the City and create fire and smoke conditions for personnel to visualize the situation and react according to standards and guidelines established by the department - whether that be offensive attack inside, performing ventilation, making a rescue or serving as incident commander.  Scenarios can be adapted based on the actions of the participants.

The vital mission of GFR is learning, planning, and applying more effective ways of dealing with emergency situations to ensure our personnel are equipped to deliver the best possible services to the citizens of Gainesville and our surrounding communities.   

Fire College Courses Offered

Gainesville Fire Rescue hosts ongoing courses through the Florida State Fire College offered for firefighters both internally and externally.  Non-GFR fire service personnel are welcome and encouraged to take all offered courses that are required for Driver Operator, Fire Inspector, Fire Officer and Instructor/Inspector renewals.  Non-GFR members pay only $100 for each 40-hour course.  (Schedule is subject to change. Please call to confirm dates.)

To sign up for classes contact GFR Support Services at 352-334-5075.

ISO Compliance

GFR constantly works to assure our department is compliant with ISO requirements in regards to fire training.  Crews are scheduled for single company and multi-company training drills and document their own individual and company training so that by running a query, we can produce a report for immediate review by ISO personnel wishing to review performance.

By working with our IT section, training records and databases are updated constantly and reports generated to note and correct any deficiencies.

Drills and Live Burns

Our live fire training is conducted in accorance with the National Fire Protection Association Standard 1403, Florida Statutes, City policies and procedures and department's operational guidelines.  All live fire training is conducted using certified live fire instructors as incident commanders, team leaders and safety officers.  GFR appreciates the support of the community through the donation of structures used to enhance the training opportunities to our firefighters.  Currently, the old Division of Forestry complex is used for tactical scenario-based training in a multi-company format with both GFR and Alachua County units participating.

Recently, the Support Services Division facilitated training evolutions at the old Shands/AGH (formerly Alachua General hospital) prior to its demolition.  High-rise fire training and elevator control and rescue was completed by all shift personnel with our Technical Rescue Team members performing high-angle rescue work off the side of the seven-story hospital building.

Explorer Post 972  Invitation to Join Program Gainesville Fire Rescue’s Explorer Post 972 is a program geared towards high school students interested in the fire service as a career. The mission of Fire Explorer Post 972 is to further the knowledge and understanding of our members through training; to provide an insight into all phases of the fire service as a possible career; and to create a better understanding between the Fire Department and the Youth of the Community. The policy of the Fire Explorer Post 972 is to give young adults with an interest in Fire and Rescue services a better understanding of these fields of service in the hope that they will further pursue this interest. The Post will give young adults an insight to these services and their related skills. Guest speakers and Fire Department personnel involvement will be included in the Post activities.