The Central Net Training Center is funded and operated through a formal Joint Powers Agreement entered into by the cities of Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach for the purpose of training firefighters in the most effective and up-to-date firefighting methods.
Under the supervision of Huntington Beach Battalion Chief Andy Arledge, the training center staff coordinates and facilitates a variety of mandatory specialized suppression-personnel training for the two cities; provides access to the training grounds and classroom space for-a-fee to several outside agencies; and provides free classroom space to various citizen groups for CPR and Emergency Services Training.
The Training Center sits on a 5-acre site next to Huntington Beach Fire Department Station #1 - Gothard and features a five story burn tower, ventilation props, drafting pit, propane and flammable liquids simulator, flashover simulator, auto extrication, and its classroom space. In addition to administrative offices, the inside classroom space consists of two large classrooms (capacity-30 and 50), two small classrooms (capacity-20 each), a conference room (capacity-16), and an up-to-date computer classroom with 13 stations.
EVALUATED DRILLS: Each safety member participates in three evaluated drills annually. These drills evaluate the operational readiness of the fire companies using hands-on manipulative drills, and exercises the Incident Command System. Drills include live fire, flammable liquid, medical aids, etc. Evolutions are evaluated, timed and critiqued by training officers and chief officers.
CENTRAL NET CLASSES: Each safety member participates in four 3-hour sessions per year. The purpose of Central Net classes is to upgrade the skills of suppression personnel and to maintain a high level of readiness for firefighting crews by reviewing a variety of fire specific materials. These classes cover, for example, training in wildland, terrorism, street survival, high angle rescue, confined space rescue, extrication, etc.
EMT TRAINING: Each safety member participates in five 3-hour sessions per year. EMT classes are required by the state in order to maintain EMT certification. All firefighters in our participating cities are fully qualified as EMTs. An example of the classes offered are cardiac emergencies, burn care, childbirth, spinal care, medical scenarios, etc.
SPECIAL WEDNESDAY CLASSES: All Huntington Beach employees receive additional department-specific training four times annually, 3-hours per session. Topics include strategy and tactics, pre-trip apparatus inspection, flashover training, etc.
NIGHT DRILLS: All cities participate in these drill twice a year. During multi-company night drills, each company is given a large scenario to handle under night conditions. Also, each company is required to perform an individual night drill.
PARAMEDIC TRAINING: Paramedics are required to complete 48-hours of continuing education units every two years. This is provided on-duty through our EMT program and classes offered by local hospitals including Huntington Beach Medical Center. Any safety member not meeting the required 48-hours is given the opportunity to attend additional classes off-duty.
COMPANY TRAINING: In addition to organized classes, which are provided and coordinated by operations chiefs and training officers of all cities, all companies within Huntington Beach are required to do two hours of fire specific training each work day.
Questions, Comments, Complaints? Contact Laney at lwerner@surfcity-hb.org