By Jake Lindquist
Deputy State Fire Marshal

As we enter into 2020, it looks like it will be another great year for training opportunities here at the State Fire Marshal Division (SFMD). We provided over 30 registered trainings last year around the state, and we are looking forward to continuing to provide high-quality opportunities. This is the time of year the SFMD offers National Fire Academy classes throughout the state. These classes are great because they yield an official NFA certificate without the added expense of traveling to the academy in Maryland.

Upcoming training dates and availability

• Feb. 8-9 (weekend class)
  USFA/NFA Fire Service Safety Culture: Who Protects Firefighters from Firefighters?
  Location: MSFC Fire Officer School, Alexandria
  Sign up through the MSFC website
  
  
• Feb. 22-23 (weekend class)
  USFA/NFA Incident Command System for Structural Collapse Incidents
  Location: Merit Training Center, Marshall
  Signup will be available on the Fire Marshal Training Registration System

Training spotlight

Tom Jenson and Jon Nisja from the SFMD presented “Assembly Occupancy Inspections – History of Losses and Why It Matters Today” at the Annual Institute for Building Officials held on Jan. 16. They discussed some of history’s assembly occupancy fires and the events that led to considerable losses. Jon and Tom have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to both history and fire code, so it was an excellent experience for the attendees to see how history has affected the codes and standards they currently enforce today.

On-demand training opportunities

Firefighter Math is a free NWCG designed for wildland firefighters that provides knowledge of basic math concepts and tools necessary for making math calculations in the field. Topics include calculating tank volumes and flow rates, determining pump pressure and friction loss, understanding maps and location coordinates, and estimating slope.

In the works

The 2020 Minnesota State Fire Code is coming soon, and in preparation for the next cycle, the SFMD is currently planning fire code update classes at locations throughout the state. An announcement with dates and locations will come out shortly. Participants will have to register at the State Fire Marshal Training Site to attend.

Training requests

If you have training requests or ideas, please feel free to call me at 651-201-7219 or email me at jacob.lindquist@state.mn.us.