This Sunday morning we held a "Firefighter Skills Class" and Driver Training for our members who are becoming Apparatus Drivers on Engine 141 and the Ambulances for our weekly Sunday Training.

This Sunday's "Firefighter Skills Class" had our Firefighting personnel practicing the TOAC (Task Oriented Air Consumption test) course. The TOAC course is a requirement for the New York State Firefighter I program and is a physical agility test for new Firefighters to see if they can handle the demands that come along with becoming a Volunteer Firefighter during an emergency scene. TOAC challenges Firefighters with a series of 8 Firefighting tasks done continuously in full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and on one tank of air. This type of training is what will help our Firefighters who plan on attending the New York State Firefighter I program succeed in their class and for our Firefighters who have completed Firefighter I to keep up with their skills.

The Driver Training program is how Vista Fire Department personnel become cleared on any piece of Fire or EMS apparatus. Members conduct several hours of "drive time" behind the wheel of each apparatus before they are cleared to become a driver. Tasks included during our driver training program is an equipment overview on all the apparatus and learning how to operate the pump panel for the Fire Apparatus. The Driver Training program begins with members learning how to drive the Ambulances followed by Engine 142, Engine 143, Engine 141 and Tanker 4.

If you are interested in becoming a member at the Vista Volunteer Fire Department please click the "Become a Member" tab at VistaFD.org!