2017 North Idaho Emergency Services Academy took place this last weekend in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Fourteen classes, spanning three days started on Friday, April 7.

This event was presented by North Idaho Fire Chiefs’ Association and Fire Services Technology and took place at Lake City High School.

There were over 200 people in attendance, with representatives from fire districts all over Boundary County, according to volunteer firefighter, Marty Steinhagen, from Hall Mountain Volunteer Fire Department.

They included firefighters from Curley Creek, South Boundary, Paradise Valley, Bonners Ferry, North Bench and Moyie Springs.

Steinhagen described the experience as, “Lots of good information and the practice was more like real life, thanks to the facility. Much better than just a classroom.”

Steinhagen attended the Essentials of Fire Fighting class, taught by lead instructor Kelvin Daniels, who has over 30 years experience as a firefighter.

The training was interactive, with a many training tools, from small doll house burning examples, all the way up to a large building made from concrete and steel in which they conducted “live burn” classes.

Participants in this building were placed in a variety of restricted and narrow passages which they had to navigate in zero visibility.

Classes ranged from fighting live fires, to vehicle extrication, to rope rescue and more. In addition to those types of classes, they were also classes for the other side of being a firefighter, such as a class for first responders health and wellness, and a class on effective communication and the roles and responsibilities of an elected official.

The goal of the North Idaho Fire Chiefs’ Association, was to produce a Fire Academy that offered a wide range of in-depth academic and practical hands-on classes for the firefighters of North Idaho and beyond.

They provided courses that challenged the participants, both mentally and physically, ultimately teaching them skills to help them safely serve and protect their community.