Evaluations: On the last day of class, for the written test and practical skills, the lead instructor turns the class over to the lead evaluator. At that point, theevaluation belongs to the lead evaluator. We want to make it very clear that the lead evaluator is in charge of all evaluations, and that person is empowered to make decisions that will keep the evaluation running smoothly. Unless they have been assigned a role in the evaluation prior to that date, the lead instructor, family and friends of students in the class, members of the host department/other agencies, etc… are not to participate or be a distraction during any evaluation.
Region 5 Staffing: For the last three years, this region has operated under a staffing shortage. We are the busiest region, having more classes and training more students than any other, and the staffing issue has been a burden. We are thrilled to announce that we have now added two new part-time positions to our regional staff:
· Ron Alexander---most of you know Ron. He recently retired from St. John’s Fire Department as Chief of Training. Back in the 1990’s up until 2003, Ron was also the Assistant Coordinator of this Region. We are happy to have Ron back on our staff. As of Jan 1, Ron will be working with us one or two days each week. His duties will include assembling all test boxes for testing sessions and practical skills, as well as proctoring all IFSAC testing/re-testing sessions.
· Paul Kondor---Paul is a NJ native, but has been in SC for the last few years, and works on shift at Awendaw Fire Department. As of Dec 1, he will be working with us most of his off shift days. His duties will include staffing classes, processing completed course packages, course package deliveries/pick ups, etc. His email address will be paul.kondor@llr.sc.gov and his office number will be 843-552-6217.
Ron and Paul will both be working out of our NCFD satellite office. Additionally, we are budgeting for a full-time administrative assistant position for FY17. We are confident these new positions will allow us to better meet our customers’ needs!
NCFD Satellite Office: We recently had several boxes of IFSTA manuals that were allocated for a class removed from the office after hours. Be aware that as of Dec 1, the code to the back door of our NCFD satellite office will be changed and not given out. The good news is that Paul will be a regular fixture in the office, and trips to that office can be pre-arranged for a day that he will be there.
Instructors on SCFA Payroll: The State is has been under a hiring freeze for SCFA payroll instructors for several years, but due to the significant training numbers in this region, we were given an exemption and allowed to bring additional instructors on payroll to assist us with training needs. After an interview process, we are happy to announce the following individuals have recently been brought on payroll as part-time SCFA instructors:
· Paul Kondor (Awendaw Fire Dept)
· Anthony Simmons (Jasper Co Fire/Rescue)
· Chris Garniewicz (Bluffton Fire Dept)
After Dec 1, you will begin seeing them on the road, active and teaching all over the region.
SCEIS: For our SCFA instructors who are on payroll, if you have any issues logging on to SCEIS, make errors entering your teaching time/travel, please call the Help Desk number location on the log on page for SCEIS. Please do not call LLR HR, and SCFA staff is not able to assist. If you call the Help Desk number, they can resolve all your SCEIS issues. Thanks for your help with this.
Long-Range Planning: Now that we no longer have a traditional catalog every six months, many of you have starting planning a lot further in advance. We are easily able to accommodate this, and we have had great feedback from students, who prefer this as well.
Retesting Policy: Be aware with the new retesting policy (as of July 1), students must take their first retest within 120 days of their original exam date. Previously, we allowed 180 days from the original exam date for their one and only retest. Now, students who do not take their first retest within 120 days are no longer eligible for any retesting, and must take the class over again. Remember the new policy is: first retest attempt at least 30 days after the original test date, but not more than 120 days after….second retest attempt, at least 30 days after the original test date, but not more than 210 days after. Please encourage personnel to schedule their retest ASAP….if they wait until the last minute, we may not be able to accommodate them.
SC State Certification (1700-series): A year or so ago, we announced that the SCFA was going to offer a state certification program, called the 1700-series. These would be a series of job based certification levels, with a bridge to IFSAC FFI certification (if desired). Although it can be implemented by any fire department, it is geared towards the volunteer and/or rural fire service. Orangeburg County hosted the first pilot last year. Then program was rewritten, and we are currently going through the second pilot in Orangeburg County. While this program is not completely ready for hand off to fire departments, if you would like more information or are interested in the program, we have a better feel for how it works and can start having those discussions.
Electronic Registration: Currently, 3/4 of all SCFA registrations are received electronically via the portal. In Region 5, 97% of our departments utilize this method of registration. Be aware that the SCFA does intend to “go paperless”. Those of you who still use paper registration forms, I would be more than happy to meet with you and go over the advantages of using the Fire Portal and answer any questions that you may have.
Region 5 IOW Blitz--See information attached Please forward the attached schedule to all instructors in your department!
Available IFSAC testing & general retesting sessions
**To register for any session, please contact the regional office** **If your department has 7 or more students, we can schedule a testing session at your department specifically for them**
12/9
|
Tues
|
7pm
|
Jasper Co Fire/Rescue
|
1/31
|
Sat
|
9am
|
Goose Creek Rural Fire Dept
|
2/25
|
Wed
|
6:30pm
|
Dorchester Co Fire/Rescue, Harleyville Sta
|
3/25
|
Wed
|
9am
|
Colleton Co Fire/Rescue, Sta 19
|
4/25
|
Sat
|
9am
|
St. Paul’s Fire Dept HQ
|
5/27
|
Wed
|
6:30pm
|
Burton Fire Dept, Pinewood Sta
|
6/24
|
Wed
|
9am
|
Colleton Co Fire/Rescue, Sta 19
|
We’ve recently added several new classes to the online catalog. Please visit the following link and select ‘Region 5’:https://fire.llr.sc.gov/Portal/Registration/RegionSearch.aspx
