The 476th meeting of the Massachusetts Institute of Fire Department Instructors was held at the Waltham E-911 Center on May 26, 2004. The meeting was hosted by the Waltham Fire Department courtesy of Chief Thomas Keough. Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad Technicians William Qualls and Brian Moran assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshals Office presented the program. They gave an overview of the Bomb Squad. Troopers Qualls and Moran were capably assisted by “Adam” and “Halley’ – the trained K-9 Labrador Retrievers assigned to them.
Trooper Qualls informed the members that the Hazardous Devices Unit
has been in service in Massachusetts for over eight years.
They have been delivering classes similar as this one to various groups
since that time. They usually deliver two classes per week and have
taught at “every fire department in the state.” They have “trained
tens of thousands” of students. Trooper Qualls stated that they teach
for two reasons:
1) To make sure all training is uniform -
“same sheet of music”
2) “Selling ourselves”
The Explosive Detection K-9’s assigned to them (Adam and Halley), received their training at the Connecticut State Police Academy. They have been trained on the “Food Reward Program for K-9s.” It is an eleven-week program in which the troopers must attend for eight of those weeks. The K-9’s are trained to be in service for five years or longer. They are certified by the Connecticut State Police quarterly to be able to detect seventeen commercially available explosives. The seventeen explosives can then “go out” to over 100 explosives (Building blocks) through various mixtures, including TATP, which is now the explosive of choice of terrorist groups.
K-9s are also trained to detect “masking agents”, which are used to fool the K-9s in order to conceal odors. These masking agents are usually found in the illegal drug trade - known as “distracters.” They can be commonly found substances such as motor-oil, food, and spices. Diesel fuel is another distracter, which is used in ANFO. K-9s are trained not to “indicate” on diesel.
The troopers have received specialized training over the years including:
FBI Hazardous Devices SchoolThe troopers are assigned to unmarked vehicles and their equipment list includes: bomb mats, SCBA, search units, X-ray, disruptors, containment vessel, portable containment, robotics, remote removal kits, COBRA kits (laptops, CPRN databases, printer/scanner, digital camera, GPS and mapping software), fiber optics, search mirrors, hand tools, portable generators, radiation detectors, monitoring equipment. Vehicles used by the unit include: bomb squad cruisers (Ford Expeditions), Large Response Vehicles, and Utility Vehicles. Resources include: 24-hour response, explosive breaching, explosive detection canines, pick-up and destruction of fireworks, instructional seminars, and site surveys.
FBI Basic and Advanced Post Blast Training
ATF Advanced Explosives and Destructive Training
ATF Underwater Explosive Recovery Course
R.E.S.T. Explosive Tech Course
DEA Clandestine Laboratory Course
WMD
HazMat
The troopers outlined their “Calls for Service” for the past several years.
622 – (2002)They also noted that the Massachusetts Bomb Squad is particularly busy. They compared themselves to the New York City Bomb Squad, which recently celebrated their 100th anniversary and has forty units. NYC does approximately the same number of calls. Massachusetts averages about two calls per day.
746 – (2001)
506 – (2000)
771 – (1999)
678 – (1998)
978-567-3365 (office)
978-567-3119 (fax)
508-820-2121 (24-hour
emergency)
New Business:
2nd Vice President Mark Roach: June meeting in Wakefield on June
16th in their new Public Safety Building. Host is Chief David Parr.
President McLeieer will present a program on the Fire Department Instructors
Conference he recently attended in Indianapolis. A tour of the new
station will be conducted.
A motion was made and passed to allow the Web Master and Editor to be allowed to have their annual dues complimentary as does the President’s.
- President presented a bill for FDIC and lodging. A motion was made and passed to direct the Treasurer to pay as has been done in the past.
- A motion was made and passed to pay for copies of four CD’s to be distributed at next month’s meeting.
- Joint conference between MIFDI and Mass Fire Academy. Val Denault gave us some of his ideas. He suggested we consider merging with another conference or with other states and have a conference every year. Val has suggested to MFA Director give us assistance and he concurred.
- A suggestion was made from the floor that we consider partnering with the New England Fire Chiefs show in West Springfield. He also suggested we consider an award for Instructor of the Year.
- Another suggestion was made that we consider the feasibility of applying for grant monies for the organization such as Homeland Security. A motion was made and passed that we direct the President to seek out grant opportunities.
Old Business:
Bills paid
Beginning Balances for 1/2004
June 04 Newsletter $105.00 Mike
Checking $
646.77
June 04 CD's FDIC $143.91 Mike
Savings $
1,669.52
Total
$248.91
Total
$ 2,316.29
50/50 Raffle = Collected $
Winner =
Deposit from 50/50 Raffle = $
MIFDI Stickers & Pens Cost $865.00
MIFDI Clothing collected $ 364.00
Collected
$ 98.00
purchased $ 354.00
Owed to treasurer for Mailings $ 21.00- thru June
1, 2004 - includes clothing mailings
Labels $ 10.00
$ 31.00
Total members = 136
Mailings
Dues paid thru 2005 = 4
E-Mail - 33 Home
- 82
Dues paid thru 2004 = 81
Work - 21
Dues paid thru 2003 = 51
103
Balances as of 5/24/04
Membership Totals
Checking
83.93
102 - Active - 29 Retired - 5 Associate
Savings 1,672.99
Total $1,756.92
Respectfully submitted 5/24/2004
David M. Jardin
MIFDI Treasurer
Fire Chief – Stoughton
Thank you to the membership for your support.
NOTE: This meeting will be held on the THIRD Wednesday, June 16, 2004.
The training program will be provided by MIFDI President Michael McLeieer. Michael will give a presentation on the high-lights of the 2004 Fire Department Instructors Conference. Those attending this meeting will also receive a complimentary compact disc copy of some of the programs that Michael will touch upon. The program will be followed by a tour of Wakefield's new Fire Headquarters which was occupied at the end of March. The new 41,000 square foot building replaced the former 1900 fire house preserving the original hose tower which was incorporated into the new structure. Also on display is an original 1907 Amoskeag Steamer. This will be a fascinating meeting before we take our summer break as we witness a bit of firefighting history along with a view of a modern up to date fire and rescue facility.
SCHEDULE:
0900 Coffee , 0945 Board of Directors meeting, 1000
Program Presentation followed by a facility tour
1130 Business meeting, 1200 Lunch.
DIRECTIONS:
Wakefield is 10 miles north of Boston, located in Middlesex County.
From Rt.128 (I-95), take Exit 40 to Rt. 129 EAST. Follow
Rt.129 East aprox 1.6 miles into Downtown Wakefield. Turn left onto either
Centre St. or Princess St. (off Main St.) and the Public Safety Building
will be facing you. Enter through the Main entrance and the Meeting room
is on the right. Parking may be a little tight in the downtown area so
car pooling (in a company car) may be an option.
LUNCH:
Our meeting will adjourn to an enjoyable restaurant, Brothers Deli
Restaurant located at 404 Main St., Wakefield, a short walk from the fire
house. The menu has a wide variety of both hot and cold items including
luncheon specials at very reasonable prices. We hope to see everyone there.
CANCELLATIONS:
During the winter months, check the MIFDI website
for cancellations @ www.mifdi.org
Since this will be the last meeting before the summer break, let’s have a big turnout!
Our fall schedule will resume with the September meeting scheduled to be held at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy / Department of Fire Services on the fourth Wednesday, September 22nd in classroom 109. We are honored to have as our speaker, State Fire Marshal Steven D. Coan.
The MIFDI website http://www.mifdi.org continues to increase the number of visitors who view it each month. It remains the best source for networking and exchanging training ideas with all of our members and others interested in delivering useful training programs. Over the summer months, I will plan to add more pictures and other items to the website.
Finally, we are seeking members to serve on the Bi-Law committee. If you have an interest in serving, please contact me or another board member.
Remember, this is your organization. Please let the Officers or Board of Directors know if there is anything we can do for you.
See you on the 16th.
Stay safe.
Michael
June 6-9, 2004,
"FIRE 2004", NYSAFC Fire, Rescue, & EMS Expo Syracuse, NY -
contact www.nysfirechiefs.com
for more information.
June 11, 2004, Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Recruit Class # 163 Graduation DFS/MFA Fire Station 1:30 p.m.
June 12, 2004, Lynnfield Parade, Muster, & Firematic Flea Market Edgewater Office Park, Audubon Rd., 10am-4pm.
June 13, 2004, Worcester Firefighters Memorial 6K Race For more information, contact www.wfd6k.org
June 13, 2004, FIREFIGHTERS ANNUAL MEMORIAL SUNDAY
June 14, 2004, Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Recruit Class # 164 begins.
June 24-27, 2004, New England Fire/Rescue/EMS Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield. For information contact www.newenglandfirechiefs.org.
July 13-18, 2004, Firehouse Expo Baltimore Maryland. Contact www.firehouse.com for info.
July 15-18, 2004, "EMS In The Wild", Campton NH Contact www.amreducation.com.
July 20-27, 2003, N.F.P.A. Fire Expo, Miami Beach Convention Center. Contact www.nfpaamericasfire.com
July 21-24, 2004, I.F.B.A. International Convention, Quebec City, Canada.
July 24, 2004, North Reading Fire Dept. Anniversary Parade & Show Ipswich River Park. Contact North Reading Fire Dept. @ 978-664-3112.
August 12-15, 2004, Fire/Rescue International 2004, New Orleans, LA. Contact www.IAFC.org for info.
August 15-20, 2004, I.A.F.F. 2004 Convention, Boston, MA. Contact www.IAFF.org for info.
August 27, 2004,
Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Recruit Class # 164 Graduation.
DFS/MFA Fire Station @ 1:30 pm.
MIFDI
Attn: David Jardin,
Treasurer If
you have not already done so, it's time to renew your dues.
Due Jan. 1st.
52 Willow Street
Stoughton, MA
02072-1027
*Dues are $25.00 per year for Active Members -
*$100.00 per year for Associate members (which includes a 1/4 page of advertising in the MIFDI Bulletin and on the MIFDI website).
*Retired members
dues are $12.50 for one calendar year (January 1 through December 31).
This forum is an extension of the Guest
Book on the MIFDI Web-site, and provides our members a way to ask
questions and get answers about problems encountered in the Fire and EMS
service. If you would like to reply to a question, pose your own question
or submit an article for publication in the MIFDI bulletin, but have no
internet capabilities, you may do so in writing to: Michael McLeieer,
President - MIFDI, PO Box 507, Merrimac, MA 01860-0510.
Fax # (877) 327-4353. Faxing or e-mailing of articles is preferred.
Please e-mail articles in MS Word format to michael.mcLeieer@merrimacfire.com
JUNE 16th: Wakefield Fire Department
JULY/AUGUST: Summer Break
SEPTEMBER 22nd: MFA/DFS, Stow - Room 109 - Our Speaker will be State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan.
OCTOBER: TBA
NOVEMBER: TBA
CANCELLATIONS: During the
winter months, please check the MIFDI website for severe weather cancellations
at www.mifdi.org.