Crew brings home lifesaving training

The challenging tasks firefighters perform, whether rushing into a burning building or responding to a medical emergency, are accomplished as an effective and efficient team.

The high-stakes profession relies on teammates to save their lives and those of others.

Poplar Bluff Fire Chief Mike Moffitt, Capt. Brad Jones, Lt. Josh Buhler and firefighters Eric Mierisch and Cade Lowe attended the Fire Department Instructor Conference, which is the largest gathering of fire department personnel.

“As fire chief, attending the FDIC reaffirms the importance of continuous learning and innovation in our field,” said Moffitt. “The insights gained not only enhance our operational capabilities but also strengthens our commitment to protecting our community. The FDIC expo is a great opportunity to talk to representatives from our vendors face-to-face.

“We can get questions answered about existing equipment, and also watch demonstrations of new items that we may consider in the future. The information we receive is helpful when working up our department budget for the next year.”

It is part of North America’s Leading Firefighter Conference and held at the Indiana Convention Center located in Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana.

There were more than 35,000 firefighters in attendance. People traveled from across the country, including some from Canada, for a week full of learning and comradery.

Buhler said it was a great experience to check out new innovations in technology and equipment for the fire service.

“It was great to meet people from all over the world that had the same thing in common,” Buhler said. “I look forward to attending again in the future.”

Three Rivers College Fire Training Institute sent Mierisch and Lowe who are TRC instructors.

“This conference has been on my bucket list for several years and thanks to Three Rivers Fire Training Institute, it became a reality this year,” Mierisch explained. “This opportunity allowed Cade Lowe, and me, to learn from some of the best instructors in the nation.”

The week started with two days of hands on training.

“(We) learned how we can search more efficiently using data collected from the Firefighter Rescue Survey,” Mierisch said. “We picked up on some tricks during our forcible entry class. We were also taught the capabilities and limitations of the water extinguishers that we have on our fire trucks...

“We attended classes on building construction, how to read smoke, leadership, making fire ground decisions, and search. “

On Friday, Mierisch and Lowe were able to attend the expo.

“The expo is an experience all in itself, filling up the convention center and the Lucas Oil Stadium with every vendor imaginable,” Mierisch said. “Every firetruck manufacturer had new trucks on display. There were tools and equipment, everything from extrication all the way down to clamps to hold our gloves.

“We saw new advancements in training technology like virtual reality simulators that allow you to experience fighting fire without the dangers, and new hose adapters that connect to the fire hydrant with just a quarter turn.”

A common theme, he said, was to take what they learned back to their communities and share it.

“Some of our instructors handed out their class materials for us to do just that,” he said. “We look forward to sharing the information that we gained not only to our co-workers at PBFD, but also to future firefighters that come to the Three Rivers Fire Training Institute.”