Concord High School Fire Academy is now Nationally Recognized

The National Partnership Website

David Barbour of the NC Department of Public Instruction provided an update to the National Partnership for Careers in Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security about the Fire Academy programs statewide at the National Partnership Conference and Board of Directors meeting held on November 9-12, 2011 in Arlington, Virginia.

With this National recognition we have just last week been informed that we will be the first High School in the State of NC to offer the Emergency Medical Technician
class for certification next year.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ANNOUNCEMENT
ON THE CONCORD HIGH SCHOOL WEBSITE

D & L Photographers take Photos for the Fire Academy

Click Photos to Enlarge

David and Lisa Wood of D & L Photographers came to the Friday Night Football Game against NW Cabarrus HS during the 1st round of the playoffs and took photos of the Concord HS Fire Academy Honor Guard and Truck Team.
David and Lisa have told me that they will be glad to cover any of our other events as well.
Thanks for your great job on this project.

The Photos are found at the Link below.

D & L Photographers

Firefighters of Station 15 Wait for the Big One - Charlotte Fire Department

THE CHARLOTTE FIRE DEPARTMENT BLOG

This article appeared in the Charlotte Magazine during the Thanksgiving holiday. Station 15 and the Firefighters of The Shamrock Road Express are the busiest in the City of Charlotte.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE
"Firefighters of Station 15 Wait for the Big One"
There is a video in here as well.

Charlotte Fire Department donates Equipment to the CHS Fire Academy

The Donated Equipment fills the bed of Chief Barlow's Pickup

The Charlotte Fire Department Blog

The Charlotte Fire Department donated a quantity of used Turnout Gear, Hose, and several Nozzles, and small appliances to the CHS Fire Academy during the Thanksgiving week. The photo above shows just how large the volume the equipment is.

Thanks to Captain Buddy Caldwell of the Logistics Division for helping with our needs.

The 83rd Concord Christmas Parade 2011

The CHS Fire Academy participated in the Concord Christmas Parade again this year. Turnout for the parade was a bit small but that will be changing for the Kannapolis Holiday Parade of Lights and for next year as well.

Click Here to Watch the
Concord Christmas Parade 2011
Start watching @30:55 for Ladder 1
Concord Fire and Life Safety Explorers
Concord HS Fire Academy @ 31:55

CLICK HERE FOR CHIEF BARLOW'S PHOTOS
OF THE PARADE

VIDEO OF BOSTIAN HEIGHTS FIRE DEPARTMENT
BRUSH TRUCK - The Beast

Chief Barlow has help celebrating his 60th Birthday

The Battalion 2 recruits and others put together the Party

A Really Classy Cake

Soda, Cake, Pizza, and a Signed Fire Extinguisher - Truly a Great Birthday Celebration!
Thanks To All Involved!

On November 14th Chief Barlow had assistance from the recruits of the CHSFA in celebrating one of the larger Birthdays - "The Big 60"

The Weddle Tool Company Visits the Concord HS Fire Academy

Battalion 2 with Jack Harding and Dave Weddle

In August of this year, Chief Barlow met Jack Harding of the Weddle Tool Company at the South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo in Raleigh, NC. The consensus was that the recruits of the CHSFA needed to have one of their Forcible Entry Tools called the W- Tool. This would launch the recruits to the next level of skill beyond just the basics with F&E.

After several emails and a couple of phone calls the date was set and Dave Weddle - the President of the Company and Jack Harding - the Vice President of Business Operations drove down on November 16th from West Virginia and set up their props in the Commons area at the High School. The following morning the Intro to Public Safety class set up the area for local area Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers to assemble and participate in the Train the Trainer class along with our Battalion 2 recruits. After completing the class, the W-Tool and a Fan Hanger Tool were presented to the Fire Academy.

During the off season when we are not going to be using the Tool for Training, we will share the W-Tool with the Concord Department of Fire and Life Safety and get their input.

WEDDLE TOOL COMPANY

http://weddletoolco.com

CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE PHOTOS
FROM THE TRAINING

YouTube Video of the Training

Click on the Image or Here to watch the W-Tool in Action

Salisbury Fire Department Donates Turnout Gear to the Concord HS Fire Academy

SALISBURY FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Salisbury Fire Department has donated a large amount of used Turnout Gear to the Concord HS Fire Academy. This will get us jmuch closer to permit each recruit in the Fire Academy to be issued Turnout Gear.
Many Thanks to Chief Bob Parnell and Battalion Chief Kepley

Chief Bob Parnell

Battalion Chief Kepley

Bob Etheridge of the Governors Office stops by for a Visit

Representative Bob Etheridge and his wife Faye stopped by the Concord High School Fire Academy for a visit on September 20, 2011. It was really nice to see them again after such a long time. Chief Barlow was serving as the Region 6 Teacher of the Year when Bob Etheridge last came to visit.

Representative Etheridge is the former NC State School Superintendent and served as a Congressman in the US House of Representatives from 1996 - 2010 where he authored and championed the Hometown Heroes Act of 2003. After leaving Congress Governor Beverly Perdue appointed him as the head of the NC Office of Economic Recovery and Investment which oversees funds to the state from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

NCRecovery.gov

Bob Etheridge heads this Agency

In May of 2010 Rep. Etheridge
recognized the Concord High School Fire Academy
and sent us a letter commending the efforts of our program.

Portable Fire Extinguisher Class Battalion 4

Battalion 4 completed their Portable Fire Extinguisher class with the practical skills portion of the class.

Fire Extinguishers for this class were provided by
Shipp's Fire Equipment Sales and Service.

Check out their website and if you need their services, they will be glad to assist you.

Shipp's Fire Equipment
P. O. Box 1641
54 Wilshire Ave.

Concord, NC 28026-1641
Phone: 704.788.2007

Fax: 704.788.2396
E-mail: info@shippsfire.com

CLICK HERE FOR THE PHOTOS

Bonfire and K-Town Week 2011

The week of the Concord - A L Brown Football Game is always a crazy time. At Concord HS we always have a Bonfire and the Fire Academy assists with the event.

Click Here to see some of the Photos
from this Crazy Week.

Vent - Enter - Search with Battalion 2

The Vent Hole is being cut

Support from the Tool, The Ladder, and a Brother

Allison Latos Interviews Tabbi Beck of the Fire Protection Technology Program at RCCC

The News Team at Work

Battalion Chief Philemon is Interviewed

Allison Latos of Channel 9 News interviews Chief Allen

Battalion 2 progressed nicely with their Ventilation Class and nearing the end of the class we were asked to do an Interview for WSOC-TV Channel 9 News with Allison Latos.

The recruits were given the opportunity to design their demonstration showcasing their skills in Vent - Enter - Search.

The Skills included:
Emergency Response as a Full Engine Company
Initial Size-up on the Radio with Command Established
Forcible Entry
Stretching the Attack Line and a Backup Line
Searching the structure - Primary Search with victim found and rescued and Secondary Search
Ladder Work with a Backup Ladder on the opposite side of the structure
Ventilation Team simulating cutting the Vent Hole on the roof and punching the ceiling.
All tasks were communicated to Command and updates were provided to Communications
Knot Tying Skills were also demonstrated.

The Interview went well and Chief Allen of Concord Fire and Life Safety assisted.

Click Here for the Channel 9 News Video

CLICK HERE FOR THE VENTILATION CLASS PHOTOS

T&I Fire Camp

Mr. Satenstein's Trade and Industry Class attended the CHS Fire Academy during the week of October 17-21 for a sampling of what the Fire Academy offers.
The recruits learned how to Tag In, Classes of Fire, Fire Chemistry, Types of Fire Equipment, and how to use PPE, Hoses, Streams, and Hydrants.
A Lot was learned and a Good Time was had by All.
HooRaah!

CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE PHOTOS

Walk for Hope Cancer Fundraiser

Fire Academy Recruits and Chief Barlow at the "Walk for Hope" Captain Buddy Caldwell, Rosemary Goodman,
and Engineer Cheryl White Rosemary Goodman shows off her Ribbon Concord HS Faculty shows support for the "Walk for Hope" Some of the recruits enjoy checking out The Pink Lady

The Pink Lady from the Charlotte Fire Department came to the
Concord High School "Walk for Hope" Cancer Fundraising event on October 20, 2011.
Captain Buddy Caldwell brought "The Pink Lady and stood by.

The school raised $2,734.95 for Cancer Research in 2 hours.
HooRaah!

Rosemary Goodman is the Cancer Survivor that "The Walk for Hope was started for a number of years ago.

YouTube Video
of the CHS Fire Academy
at the "Walk for Hope"

CLICK HERE FOR OUR PHOTOS OF THE EVENT

RCCC Fire Protection Technology Joint Advisory Board Meeting

Chief Barlow is on the RCCC Advisory Board for the Fire Protection Technology Program. The Members met on October 19th at RCCC and discussed the FPT and the newly developed EPT programs.
Two of our CHS Fire Academy Graduates are enrolled in the
RCCC Fire Protection Technology program at this time.

Members of the Advisory Board include:

Bob Parnell - Chief - Salisbury Fire Department
David Morris - Deputy Chief - Salisbury Fire Department
Jay Baker - Chief - Spencer Fire Department
Daniel W. Peters - CFPS - Town Manager - Granite Quarry

Ernie Hiers - Chief - Kannapolis Fire Department
Rick Barnhardt - Division Chief - Kannapolis Fire Department
Randall Faggart - Division Chief - Kannapolis Fire Department
Randy Holloway - Chief - Concord Fire and Life Safety
Curtis Teague - Deputy Chief - Concord Fire and Life Safety
Lee Readling - Battalion Chief - Concord Fire and Life Safety
Roger Cline - Battalion Chief - Training - Concord Fire and Life Safety
David Barlow - Chief - Concord High School Fire Academy
Bryan Dunn - Chief - Harrisburg Fire Department
David Montague - Fire Marshal - Harrisburg Fire Department
Steve Langer - Fire Marshal - Cabarrus County

These individuals have great knowledge of our program and they have a vested interest in you as recruits.
In today's world everything is about Communications and Networking.
The years of Fire Service Experience and Wisdom these folks have is incredible.
Collectively these professionals have More than 400 years of experience.
Tap into this incredible resource and make it part of your personal network.

For more information on these programs please contact:

Dr. Joe Woodall
704-678-0071 Office
704-678-0071
joe.woodall@rccc.edu

Battalion 4 PPE and Assorted Photos

Ericka - Those Bunker Pants are just a little Big.

Who will finish first?

This Post is to recognize some of what the Semester 1 Battalion 4 did with the PPE class and it also provides a Link to a good collection of Assorted Photos from the 1st Semester.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE PPE and ASSORTED PHOTOS

Aluminum Can Recycling Project

Please help us fill our Can Tainer
as many times as possible this year

The CHS Fire Academy Can Tainer on Sept. 1st, 2011

The Concord High School Fire Academy has partnered with Can Do Recycling - South and is in the process of trying to Recycle as many cans as possible. This not only saves energy, but provides us with a year round income by getting the local community and the school community to recycle their cans to assist the CHS Fire Academy.

Copy and Paste this on your Facebook Status to share with your friends and help us fill the CanTainer.

"If you have recyclable Aluminum cans at home please consider bringing them to school and depositing them in our large Can Recycling Container adjacent to the Softball field at the edge of the Student Parking Lot. Encourage your neighbors to join in the efforts as well. This facility is available 24 hours / day and 365 days a year. Thank You for your support!"

Can Do Recycling - South
on Facebook

Chief Barlow's Mother Emily M. Barlow Passes

Emily Barlow

This is a short entry to say Thank You for all of your thoughts and prayers during this time of loss for the Barlow Family.
The Link will take you to her obituary.

Emily M. Barlow

After returning from Rhode Island, I found a Maple Tree in my truck as a Memorial for my mother. It is so appropriate since I collected Maple Sap with my mother as a young child and learned how to make Maple Syrup. Thank You Amber and Mrs. Cline for orchestrating such an appropriate Memorial.
It is now planted in my front yard.
How To Make Maple Syrup

Thank You to the Concord Fire and Life Safety Crews that covered my classes during the four days that I was out.
Thanks also to the Concord Professional Firefighters Association for the plant in memory of my mother.

CHS Fire Academy Presents the Colors at the NC Region 6 School Board Meeting held at Cox Mill High School

Vehicle Injury Prevention for a Very Important Person - VIP for a VIP

Fire Academy recruits, Honor Guard, and victim Taylor Beverly at conclusion

Mrs. Black shares her comments and thanks the VIP Staff and Public Safety agencies

Rescue 3 and Chief Allen stand by - Their efforts were in vain this time Review and closing statements are made by VIP Staff Cross is erected by classmates and Rose is placed Mom collapses CPR is DC'd and patient is readied for transport Medical Control is called and they advise to DC CPR CPR continues as Firefighter Jimmy is in Shock in the background Mom becomes hysterical Patient is removed and CPR is performed Rescue 3 performs vehicle extrication The smoke begins to clear

The Afternoon Session begins
as a jogger finds the crash and calls it in

Video of Initial Response on YouTube
Video of the Crashed Vehicle and the Patients Voice

Bouquets for the funeral After the morning assembly In the Spring of 2005 four teenagers headed home - Only 2 of them arrived

VIP for a VIP Website

VIP for a VIP
Facebook Page
Check the Photos page and read the Wall - Very moving!

CLICK HERE
For All of Our Photos

This program is one that has been received with great success by numerous High Schools throughout the state and is operated by members of the Greensboro Fire Department, High Point Fire Department and the Guilford County Fireman's Association.

Captain R. D. Faggart of Concord Department of Fire and Life Safety learned about the program and worked diligently to get the program delivered to Concord High School. It is hoped that Concord Fire and Life Safety will be able to produce a similar program and offer it for the students throughout Cabarrus County.

After several meetings by a very dedicated team of professionals the date was set and all cooperating agencies were ready to conduct the program. On Monday afternoon the VIP Team drove down from Greensboro to set up for the morning assembly for all of our Juniors and Seniors.
Early the next morning the remainder of the VIP for a VIP Staff arrived with tractor trailers carrying bleachers and the remainder of the materials used in the program.

The program consists of a morning assembly where speakers from the State Highway Patrol, Local Fire Department, Police Department, EMS, share their perspective and then a series of videos are shared and finally a mock funeral is conducted.
The CHS Fire Academy Honor Guard assisted with the Funeral Service.

The afternoon session consists of a simulated vehicle crash with injury. The vehicle crash is conducted as if it were the real event. All units respond to the event rolling hot with lights and sirens. Not a sound was heard from the students - it was soo realistic.

Many Thanks to all of the Public Safety professionals that assisted and participated.
I feel like the students learned a great deal.

Thanks also to the PTSO for preparing lunch for the VIP Staff and the Honor Guard.

Independent Tribune Article on the VIP for a VIP Program