News
MU FRTI Announcements the Appointment of a Multimedia Specialist
Director David E. Hedrick of the University of Missouri’s Fire & Rescue Training Institute (MU FRTI) has announced that Travis Johnson has joined the Institute’s staff as their new Multi-media Specialist. The MU FRTI is a unit within the Division of Extension at the University and is charged with the responsibility for providing comprehensive continuing education training to Missouri’s fire service and emergency response personnel. MU FRTI delivers over 300,000 student instructional hours of training each year to firefighters and emergency responders.
Mr. Johnson is a graduate of Columbia College with a Fine Arts Degree and comes to MU FRTI from Maximum Media Inc. of Columbia, MO where he worked on numerous commercial publications in the areas of real estate, sales, and promotions. He has long list of freelance work as well with web design.
The Multi-media specialist duties include the illustration, design, and editing of publications and curriculum for the Institute. The position also produces multi-media projects for use in computerized instruction, training, and presentations. MU FRTI Director Hedrick said, “The Institute is pleased to have Travis join our staff and we look forward to utilizing his expertise in the continued development of our programs.”
MU FRTI Adjunct Instructor Phil Sayer Passes
Missouri’s
Fire Service lost one its great leaders December 14, 2007, when Phil Sayer
passed away after his long and determined battle with cancer. Phil served
as the volunteer Chief of the Galt Fire Department for over 40 years.
Over the years he held numerous positions in the different fire service organizations in the state including the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri (FFAM), as well as with national entities such as the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC). For his outstanding achievements and distinguished service Phil received the NVFC Firefighter of the Year Award in 2003. His dedication and service to these organizations and the fire service of Missouri have made a lasting positive impact on the safety and protection of the state’s fire and emergency responders and the citizens they serve.
Phil was also a long time Adjunct Instructor with MU FRTI, as well as a past Regional Coordinator. MU FRTI was greatly honored to have Phil as part of the Institute, and his support and service will be greatly missed. The faculty and staff of MU FRTI extend their deepest sympathies to the Sayer family and the Galt Fire Department in the loss of their family member, friend, and chief.
MU FRTI Fire Service Instructor of the Year Awarded
NEWS RELEASE
October 29, 2007
University of Missouri Extension
Fire & Rescue Training Institute
Contact: David Hedrick, Director
573-882-4735
The University of Missouri’s Fire & Rescue Training Institute (MU FRTI) presented the Fire Service Instructor of the Year for 2006 – 2007 awards at the annual Instructor’s Conference on October 27, 2007. This year’s conference was held at the Resort at Port Arrowhead in Lake Ozark, MO.
This year’s recipient of the MU FRTI Instructor of the Year award was John Sachen of Cape Girardeau. MU FRTI Director David Hedrick said that, “Instructor Sachen exemplifies excellence in fire service instruction and we are proud of his continued service with the Institute.” Sachen has been an adjunct instructor with the MU FRTI program since 1978.
Sachen first became an instructor in 1956 while serving in the Unites States Air Force. He majored in Chemical Engineering at the University of Missouri and St. Louis University. During his career he has worked with career and volunteer fire departments, as well in industrial fire brigades. He retired from Mallinckrodt Chemical as Chief of Fire Protection and Chemical Response, and he is currently serving with the Delta Fire Protection District. Mr. Sachen teaches a variety of courses for the Institute that includes flammable liquid fire fighting and building construction for the fire service. He has taught at local, state, and national fire service conferences and been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades.
In addition to the award given to Mr. Sachen, MU FRTI recognized the first and second runners-up for the Instructor of the Year. Instructor Michael Arnhart of High Ridge, MO was Second Runner-Up, and H.P. “Rusty” Bradley of Columbia, MO was First Runner-Up. Director Hedrick acknowledged the important job that all fire service instructors perform. Hedrick said: “Fire Instructors have the responsibility of preparing the emergency first responder to competently perform skills and techniques necessary in saving lives and property of our citizens from the ravages of fire, natural and manmade disasters. At the same time, the knowledge and skills that the student learns in class are critical in providing for their own health and safety.”
The MU FRTI is charged with the responsibility of providing comprehensive
continuing professional education training to Missouri’s
fire service and emergency response personnel. Last year over 345,000 student
instructional hours were delivered in training emergency first responders. The
Institute has a cadre of over 200 adjunct instructors.
MU FRTI
Propane council donates equipment to MU Extension fire training
NEWS RELEASE
October 22, 2007
University of Missouri Extension
Fire & Rescue Training Institute
Contact: David Hedrick, Director
573-882-4735
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A recent gift from the Missouri Propane Education and Research Council (MOPERC) will enhance University of Missouri Extension Fire and Rescue Training Institute's propane emergency training.
A longtime partner, the council's most recent donation is a customized trailer to hold the 500-gallon LP tank that the institute uses to train firefighters throughout Missouri.
"The council is a great partner in delivering propane emergency training," said Dave Hedrick, MU Extension fire and rescue training director. "Without their assistance, we wouldn't be able to cost-effectively deliver this program to fire departments and emergency responders in the state."
A dedication ceremony recognizing MOPERC's gift was held Oct. 17 at MU. Michael Ouart, MU vice provost for extension, thanked the council and presented a plaque to its chair, Ed Simmons of Eldon, Mo.
MOPERC and MU Extension have worked together since 2002 to provide training across the state. More than 2,300 emergency responders have completed Handling LP Gas Emergencies. In addition to the trailer, MOPERC provides the textbooks and propane gas for each training session, an average of 18 per year.
Steve Ahrens, director of the Missouri Propane Gas Association, said 13 percent of the Missouri's families heat with propane, making it one of the top states nationwide. As more people choose to live in rural areas, the number is growing.
That growth, Ahrens said, "comes at a time when there really isn't money for training. It's a challenge because rural fire departments have more and more volunteers, so it's important to be able to take the training out to these areas."
The 12-hour course provides classroom instruction and hands-on firefighting experience, said Larry Wilson, the program's coordinator.
"Now with two trailers, we can do two trainings in a weekend and get more firefighters trained," Wilson said.
For a video of the ceremonies click on the photo at upper right or click
here
MU FRTI Announcements the Appointment of a New Coordinator
NEWS RELEASE
October 8, 2007
University of Missouri Extension
Fire & Rescue Training Institute
Contact: David Hedrick, Director
573-882-4735
Director David E. Hedrick of the University of Missouri’s Fire & Rescue Training Institute (MU FRTI) has announced the promotion of Administrative Assistant Gail Hagans-Reynolds to the position of Coordinator at MU FRTI. The MU FRTI is a unit within the Division of Extension at the University and is charged with the responsibility for providing comprehensive continuing education training to Missouri’s fire service and emergency response personnel. MU FRTI delivers over 300,000 student instructional hours of training each year to firefighters and emergency responders.
Ms. Hagans-Reynolds will assume additional selected management responsibility for field extension training along with continued oversight of state training contracts. This appointment is part of an organizational change that is designed to meet the current operational needs, as well as provide for the management of continued growth of the Institute. Regarding Hagans-Reynolds’ appointment to Coordinator, MU FRTI Director Hedrick said, “Gail has been a long time dedicated employee and has a proven record of coordinating field extension training for the Institute. I look forward to Gail’s continued exceptional performance in this new job position.”
Coordinator Hagans-Reynolds began with the University of Missouri full
time in 1985. She transferred to MU FRTI in 1989 working in office support
positions until 1996 when she was promoted to Administrative Assistant
to assist with training records management and field extension contracts.
During her emergency service career she has served with CAM-MO Ambulance
District and the State Fair Fire Department as an EMT. She has also served
as MU FRTI liaison to the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri (FFAM)
and Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA). Gail has coordinated
the exhibits for Winter & Summer Fire School for the past ten years.
She has worked as a consultant on conference management with several state
and national level organizations.
New Assistant Director appointed for MU Fire and Rescue Training Institute
NEWS RELEASE
August 22, 2007
University of Missouri Extension
Fire & Rescue Training Institute
Contact: David Hedrick, Director
573-882-4735
MU FRTI Announces the Appointment of a
New Assistant
Director
Director David E. Hedrick of the University of Missouri’s Fire & Rescue Training Institute (MU FRTI) has announced the appointment of Specialist Kevin Zumwalt to the position of Assistant Director at MU FRTI. The MU FRTI is a unit within the Division of Extension at the University and is charged with the responsibility for providing comprehensive continuing education training to Missouri’s fire service and emergency response personnel. MU FRTI delivers over 300,000 student instructional hours of training each year to firefighters and emergency responders.
Mr. Zumwalt will assume selected management responsibility for daily operations along with continued oversight of special projects. This appointment is part of an organizational change that is designed to meet the current operational needs of the Institute, as well as provide for the management of continued growth in the program. Regarding Zumwalt’s appointment to Assistant Director, MU FRTI Director Hedrick said, “Kevin has been a long time dedicated employee of the Institute and has taken a leadership roll on a variety of program areas and initiatives over the years. I look forward to Kevin’s continued exceptional performance in this new job position.”
Assistant Director Zumwalt began with MU FRTI in 1984 as an adjunct instructor.
He accepted a full time position in 1994, and has served as a Specialist
in charge of Technical Rescue Programs and as Special Programs Manager.
In 2006 he assisted with the management of day-to-day operations of the
Institute during the search for a new Director. During his fire service
career he has served as a firefighter and officer with volunteer and career
fire departments in Missouri including the St. Clair Fire Protection District
and the Melville Fire Protection District. He has received numerous awards
throughout his service, and worked as a consultant on conference management
with several state training and national level organizations.
MU FRTI eNewsletter
The University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute publishes a weekly electronic newsletter. The intent of this service is to keep emergency responders aware of what MU FRTI feels is of importance to you. Content of this newsletter may include:
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