New year, new trainings

December 29, 2023

New year, new trainings. We’re hosting a number of events and trainings in the first half of 2024, and we hope to see you a time of two in the coming months. This list is sure to grow; follow us on social media and check our website for new training announcements.

January 18-21—Fire Service Improvement Conference

Courses are filling at FSIC! Engine, Truck, and National Farmedic are full; don’t wait to register if you want to take HOT classes with us. The Friday evening training is a roundtable discussion on today’s fire service with Blake Cartee, Michael Dozier, Micah Rains, and Jonah Smith. The entire weekend is $50 and you can mix and match classes to fit your schedule.

January 24-26—Line of Duty Preparedness Series

Most trades don’t require conversations about preparing for the injury or death of a member of your team.

Unlike other industries and occupations where business initiatives are met by completing tasks and meeting goals, the primary goal of emergency services is the life and safety of the people they’ve been called to help—including their own.

The fire service has come a long way when it comes to health and safety, but this is still an inherently dangerous job. Line of duty deaths and injuries still occur. Are you prepared if tragedy strikes?

• Taking Care of Our Own—Wednesday, January 24
  9 a.m.-5p.m.
  Denny Auditorium

• Local Assistance State Team (LAST) Training—Thursday, January 25
  9 a.m.-5p.m.
  Denny Auditorium
• Leadership So Everyone Goes Home—Friday, January 26
  10 a.m.-2 p.m.
  Denny Auditorium

The Line of Duty Preparedness Series is free, and attendees can mix and match classes to fit their needs. Lunch is provided.

January 29—1% Regional Training, Calhoun County

Sandy Run Calhoun Volunteer Fire Department is hosting the January 29 1% Regional Training for Calhoun County.

February 3—Firefighter Memorial Service

Memorializing and honoring our members who have passed is a privilege, honor, and duty of the utmost importance. In a time of immeasurable grief, we hope that remembering those who have passed on will help loved ones find peace and closure.

Escorts for families are needed. Please contact Colleen Quillen at [email protected] to sign up to escort. The Firefighter Memorial Service is Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Riverland Hills Baptist Church in Irmo.

February 23—FLSA Bootcamp for Volunteer and Combination Fire Departments

Volunteer and combination departments face a host of unique challenges. Volunteerism in and outside the fire service is dwindling. Training and minimum standards are at an all-time high. Recruiting members and keeping them is a nation-wide challenge. And that’s not to mention family obligations, jobs, and other demands that sometimes take priority over the fire department. It’s left many organizations opting to pay members to respond or be available for a shift.

But it’s complicated. This practice begs the question, at what point does a volunteer become an employee?

Employees are entitled to minimum wage for all hours worked including volunteer hours. Then there’s overtime. There’s a lot at stake.

No law impacts fire departments more than the Fair Labor Standards Act, and that’s why the Recruitment and Retention Committee is proud to bring to the South Carolina fire service the FLSA Bootcamp for Volunteer and Combination Fire Departments with speaker Curt Varone.

This day-long bootcamp provides leaders of volunteer and combination fire departments with a foundation for understanding the FLSA, focusing on the topics of greatest concern, including: what is a volunteer; compensation, benefits, expenses, and nominal fees; compensation for wildland deployments, and more.

This bootcamp is specifically beneficial for fire department management, human resources, legal teams, or anyone that deals with compensation, benefits, and expenses, for your department.

We hope to see you at the FLSA Bootcamp for Volunteer and Combination Fire Departments on Friday, February 23, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. -3 p.m. at Saluda Shoals Park—River Center, 5605 Bush River Road, Columbia 29212. This training is free.

March 3-8— Fire Officer Academy: The Company Officer 24-01

We host our first Fire Officer Academy March 3-8, 2024. Members of the Officers Section get first notice when applications for Fire Officer Academies open; apply to join the Section to get priority notice about the application period. A second Fire Officer Academy is scheduled for October 2024.

March 4—1% Regional Training, Fairfield County

Fairfield County Fire Service is hosting the March 4 1% Regional Training for Fairfield County.

April 4-7—Mile In Our Boots

South Carolina First Responders Assistance and Support Team (SC FAST) is hosting its second Mile In Our Boots. This 4-day training is designed for clinicians who serve the first responder community.

April 17—Legislative Day

As a South Carolina firefighter, it is essential that your voice is heard by state lawmakers. Legislative Day is your opportunity to meet with representatives at the State House and discuss the issues that matter most to your community and department. By attending Legislative Day, you can help shape the policies that will impact your work and the safety of your community.

Your presence at Legislative Day shows your community that you are willing, ready, and able to take an active role in shaping the policies that impact how you operate. This is your opportunity to show your dedication to the fire service and your desire to make a difference.

An additional benefit of attending Legislative Day is the chance to make connections with other firefighters from across the state. You will be able to share your experiences and learn from others who are facing similar challenges, expanding your network by building relationships that will last throughout your career.

Attending Legislative Day is a valuable learning experience for seasoned and new firefighters. You will have the opportunity to mingle with members of the legislature and see how the Association’s grassroots efforts are working for you. This knowledge and experience can help you become a more informed and effective advocate for your department and community.

Mark your calendars and make plans to attend Legislative Day on April 17 at the State House– your voice matters!

April 30—1% Regional Training, Union County

Bonham Volunteer Fire Department is hosting the April 30 1% Regional Training for Union County.

June 12-15—Fire-Rescue

Fire-Rescue is June 12-15 in Myrtle Beach! We’ve got some exciting changes for Fire-Rescue 2024 in addition to the world-class classroom trainings and exhibit hall you expect. Bring the family!

June 12—Foundation Golf Tournament

The South Carolina Firefighters Foundation hosts its annual golf tournament the Wednesday of Fire-Rescue. The tournament is on June 12 at Legends Golf Resort, Moorland Course. The tremendous outpouring of support allows the Foundation to uplift South Carolina firefighters through grants, scholarships, and other initiatives made possible by the steadfast commitment of the first responder community.