TargetSolutions, a Vector Solutions brand offering the leading online training and records management system for public safety agencies, is excited to announce it has joined forces once again with the IAFC's Volunteer and Combination Officers Section for the VCOS Training Officer Recognition Award.

For the fifth year in a row, TargetSolutions will sponsor the prestigious distinction, which acknowledges a training officer who works tirelessly to provide outstanding fire department training.

"This is an honor for us to work with the VCOS and recognize training officers who work so diligently to provide their crew members with quality training," said Marc Scheipe, who serves as executive vice president for Vector Solutions’ public sector business unit.

"TargetSolutions and the VCOS share the same mission of keeping firefighters safe and effective when called into action. This award recognizes the dedication training officers exhibit to provide quality training to crew members."

The award, which is now accepting nominations, is delivered each year at Fire-Rescue International to an individual who demonstrates innovation in firefighter training through creativity, commitment to best practices, and operational effectiveness. The winner receives an expenses-paid trip to FRI, which is scheduled Aug. 8-11 in Dallas.

"It is a pleasure for VCOS to continue to partner with TargetSolutions to recognize an outstanding Training Officer or Training Program," said Fire Chief Norvin Collins of Sauvie Island Fire District (Portland, Ore.) and serves as secretary/treasurer of the VCOS Section. "The partnership began a few years ago and provides the winner an opportunity for onsite recognition in front of their peers and leaders of the fire service at Fire-Rescue International.

"Training is such an important part of today’s fire service for it keeps our members safe from incidents, prevents injuries and brings cutting edge education to each-and-every emergency service provider. The VCOS and TargetSolutions would like to congratulate this year’s winner and each-and-every submission for the job they do and the focus they provide to their organizations.  We are looking forward to another successful FRI and learning more from the award winner!"

Since TargetSolutions began sponsoring the award in 2014, the following training officers have been recognized:

• ·       Capt. Chip Everett of Oshtemo Township (MI) Fire Department, 2014
• ·       Asst. Chief Brad Pinsky of Manlius (NY) Fire Department, 2015
• ·       Deputy Chief Steve Malone of the Manhattan (IL) Fire Protection District, 2016
• ·       Chief of Training Michael Accardo III of the St. Tammany (LA) Fire District 9, 2017

"It is our responsibility to highlight and recognize those training officers who rise to the challenge and offer superior training opportunities to their departments and beyond their borders," said Capt. Kenneth Sedlak, who serves with Avon Volunteer Fire Department (Avon, Conn.). "These training officers work to ensure that the job gets done by the best-trained members possible, resulting in positive culture changes, including safety. After all, we are all trained that 'Everybody Goes Home.' "

Nominees should be chiefs, t

Photos and Description by Lindsay Dye

Truck 12 went into service with the Irving (TX) Fire Department on August 10, 2017, when Station 12 opened. This unit and an identical unit at Station 3 are the first tractor-drawn aerials in the history of the department. Irving joins Dallas as the only cities in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area to use tillers in their fleets.

The cab and chassis are the Arrow XT model with seating for five. A Coleman Mach 3 (13,500 Btu) mounted on the cab roof provides auxiliary cooling for the cab, and a Danhard A/C unit provides cooling for the tiller cab. The apparatus cab and trailer body are constructed of aluminum, with full depth compartments featuring both hinged doors and AMDOR roll-up doors. SCBA storage is in a right-side trailer compartment. A Stokes box constructed of aluminum tread plate is mounted on top of the trailer under the ladder cradle. 

Power is provided by a Detroit DD-13 525-hp engine and an Allison Fifth Generation Model EVS 4500P six-speed transmission with pushbutton controls. The TAK-4 independent front suspension system is featured as is the Pierce Command Zone advanced electronic and control system. A Harrison Model 10.0 MPC-16 10-kW generator is located above the goose neck of the trailer. 

The aerial is Pierce’s heavy-duty 100-foot model constructed of high-strength, low-alloy steel. Four FRC SRA 110 lights are mounted on the aerial (two on each side of the tip and two on each side of the base section). Aerial rung lighting is provided by TechNiq Model D02 LED lighting and is installed on both sides of the ladder (green lighting along both sides with red on the last three rungs). The pinnable waterway is constructed of anodized aluminum and provides 1,000 gpm to an Akron StreamMaster Model 3480 monitor and an Akron Model 5177 nozzle. Duo-Safety ground ladders (one 35-foot two-section extension, two 24-foot two-section extension, one 16-foot roof, one 12-foot roof, one 14-foot Fresno, and one 10-foot folding) are stored in the torque box. A Little Giant Model 17 folding ladder is stored in a trailer compartment.

Warning lights include a Whelen Freedom IV-D LED Lightbar (72-inch) and Whelen M6 and Whelen WIONSMC LED lights on the apparatus perimeter. The rear of the truck features Whelen L31 HRFN LED beacons on the corners with two Whelen M4 lights at the top of the tiller cab. Scene lighting includes four Whelen PELCC LED lights located at the front and rear of the rear axle and two Weldon Model 3010 lights mounted on the rear of the tractor cab. Additional scene lighting includes three FRC Model SPA260-Q20 units mounted adjacent to the crew doors (one per side) and one mounted below the tiller cab rear window, four (two per side with top-mount pedestals) FRC Model SPA570-Q28 lights on the trailer body, and an FRC Model Spectra Max SPA100-Q28 center-mounted on the front brow. 

Audio warning devices include a Federal Q2B siren partially recessed through the front grille and a Whelen Model 295SLSA1 electron

Clay Center (KS) Fire Department 78-foot aerial ladder quint. Commander cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; Waterous CSU 2,000-gpm pump.