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While most firefighters will tell you they prefer the hands-on approach when it comes to training, online courses have opened up new opportunities for first responders.
The Winchester Fire Department recently took advantage of such a training offered by National Grid and earlier this month received an award after all 52 members — from firefighters up to the chief — completed the course.
Training Officer Capt. Ken Temple said the National Grid course is free for all first responders and teaches them how to deal with an emergency involving electricity or natural gas.
Temple said the course was eight hours long and involved multiple sections. He encouraged everyone taking it to move at their own pace through the modules.
“This course teaches you what to touch and what not to touch when you’re at a call,” Temple said. “What we can’t handle, we call in National Grid and their experts.”
As technology changes, Temple said firefighters are dealing with more complex situations, such as how to handle electric vehicles or solar panels.
“It’s true, technology has expanded faster than we can train for,” Temple said.
Temple said the National Grid course offered a lot of information, but the overall feedback from the department was very good.
“It was tough to get into at first because it was online, but it was great once you got into it.” said Chief Steven Osborne. “You really learned a lot and I believe most of our firefighters felt the same way.”
That’s good news to David Santana, Lauren DiSalvatore and Tammy Saporito, who were on hand to give Winchester the award. All three work for National Grid in different aspects covered by the online course.
Santana said the course has been available for the past decade, but has really been underutilized. Many communities don’t realize that this is free, self-paced and isn’t just for fire or police. He said EMS and even public works can take it — anyone who is first on the scene of an emergency.
“Our aim is to offer guidance and how to approach when it comes to electricity or natural gas,” he said.
Some of what the course offers is how to respond to gas leaks, substation fires, overviews of the gas distribution system, an overview of the electrical system and how to approach downed power lines.
And, Santana added, the course is constantly being updated with new information. For example, National Grid in 2017 added a section on solar panels and how to deal with them in case of a house fire.
The best part, Santana said, is when an entire department, such as Winchester, completes the training.
“If the department reaches 100%, we really want to recognize that accomplishment,” he said. “We come out and give them a plaque. It’s important because it strengthens our partnership and commitment to safety.”
