A number of training opportunities are available to Bowie VFD members.

The Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute offers an extensive schedule of classes in the Southern Maryland Region, which includes Prince George's County. Please see a station officer or your station chief to register for a class. If you have any questions please e-mail Deputy Chief Jonathan Howard.

August Volunteer Recruit School

• The August VRS class is being held at MFRI on the 24th (19:00 to 22:00), 26th (19:00 to 22:00), and 28th (08:00 to 16:00).

NFPA 1851 Class on the Proper Care and Cleaning of PPE

• A representative from Honeywell First Responder Products will conduct an NFPA 1851 class on the proper care and cleaning of PPE using the gear washers located at Stations 36, 806, and 816. This class for anyone who works or volunteers at other stations that may bring their gear to one of these stations for cleaning. The classes will be held on Wednesday, August 25, 2010. One class will be at 1200 hours and the second class will be held at 1800 hours, both at Station 816.

Online Training

• All new members must complete two modules of Incident Command System (ICS) training before they attend Volunteer Recruit School. The courses can be taken online through FEMA's website, and both are required: ICS-100 and ICS-700.
• CSX has a free, online training program to teach emergency personnel how to respond safely to incidents on and around railroad property and equipment.
• All EMT providers must complete TripTix User Training, which can be completed online. Following the training, providers must request their login credentials from pgfdtriptix@co.pg.md.us. Credentials will be returned to the individual provider once training is verified.
• MIEMSS has an free online Prehospital Stroke Module.
• The Maryland State Police Aviation Command requests that all fire, rescue, and EMS personnel view their new training video on Helicopter Landing Zone Safety.

Upcoming MFRI Classes

• Emergency Medical Technician - Basic
  • 09/01/2010 to 12/18/2010: MFRI Headquarters (Monday/Wednesday)
  • 09/01/2010 to 12/18/2010: MFRI Headquarters (Tuesday/Thursday)
  • 09/02/2010 to 12/18/2010: Prince George's County Fire/EMS Training Academy
• EMT-B Refresher
  
  • 09/28/2010 to 09/30/2010: Prince George's County Fire/EMS Training Academy
  • 10/09/2010 to 10/16/2010: Prince George's County Fire/EMS Training Academy
  • 10/19/2010 to 10/21/2010: Prince George's County Fire/EMS Training Academy
  • 11/06/2010 to 11/13/2010: Prince George's County Fire/EMS Training Academy
• Emergency Vehicle Operator's Course
  
  • 10/04/2010 to 11/01/2010: District Heights Volunteer Fire Department, Company 26
• Fire Fighter I
  • 09/07/2010 to 11/18/2010: MFRI Headquarters
  • 10/04/2010 to 12/01/2010: Bowie Volunteer Fire Department, Company 43
• Fire Fighter II
  • 10/27/20010 to 12/08/2010: Bowie Volunteer Fire Department, Company 43
• Fire Fighter Survival and Rescue
  • 11/30/2010 to 12/05/2010: Morningside Volunteer Fire Department, Company 27
• ICS-300, Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents for Operational First Responders
  • 09/11/2010 to 09/18/2010: Bowie Volunteer Fire Department, Company 43
• ICS-400, Advanced ICS for Command and General Staff, Complex Incidents and MACS for Operational First Responders
  • 09/25/2010 to 09/26/2010: Bowie Volunteer Fire Department, Company 43
• Instructor I
  • 09/13/2010 to 10/13/2010: MFRI Headquarters
• Instructor II
  
  • 10/20/2010 to 12/01/2010: MFRI Headquarters
• Pumps
  • 09/13/2010 to 10/13/2010: Bladensburg Volunteer Fire Department, Company 9
• Rescue Tech
  • 11/01/2010 to 12/01/2010: District Heights Volunteer Fire Department, Company 26

Upcoming opportunities

• 09/27/2010: We will be having a two-part rural water supply drill. The first class will be Monday, September 27, 2010, at Station 43 starting at 1930.The date for the practical has not been established yet, but will be conducted shortly after the classroom portion.
• 09/28/2010: The 2010 Mid-Atlantic Life Safety Conference is being held in Laurel, MD.
• 10/07/2010 to 10/10/2010: The Pyramid 2010 Tri-County EMS Conference will be held in Solomons, MD.