Photo: Central Arizona Fire elevates training standards for Engineer applicants.
Seven years ago, the Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority (CAFMA) Engineer Academy was established to enhance the education and capabilities of CAFMA Engineers, focusing on four critical areas: leadership, apparatus systems and functions, driving and responsibilities, and fireground water flow/hydraulics. This initiative has not only addressed local training needs but also resonated with fire agencies across the state of Arizona, highlighting a widespread necessity for advanced engineer education.
The CAFMA Engineer Academy is an intensive five-day program focused on education through hands-on application, skill stations, and evaluations. To ensure comprehensive skill development, students are grouped into engine companies of five or fewer and rotate between various stations each day, allowing them to master the numerous hands-on skills required to become an Engineer.
Held at the Central Arizona Regional Training Academy (CARTA) in Prescott Valley, Arizona, the Engineer Academy is supported by CAFMA, which provides instructional staff, apparatus, and support equipment.
2024 CAFMA Engineer Academy Overview:
- Instructors: 16 seasoned
- Participants: 27 students representing 12 agencies
- Fire Apparatus: Seven distinct
- Certifications earned upon successful completion of the Academy: Central Arizona Regional Training Academy Course Completion, VFIS Driving Course, VFIS Competency Course, Arizona Center for Fire Service Excellence (AzCFSE) Driver Operator, and an optional opportunity for three college credits from Yavapai College’s Fire Protection Hydraulics and Water Supply course.
“We are proud to have created an Academy that significantly benefits so many of our brothers and sisters in the Fire Service. If CAFMA can assist departments facing limited resources or a lack of instructors, we are more than happy to ensure their teams gain the essential skills for safe and effective apparatus operation,” said Jim Bushman, CAFMA Captain and Engineer Academy Course Facilitator.
Students have shared that the Academy emphasized the Engineer’s role as the Captain’s right-hand aide, stressing the importance of remaining calm under pressure and prioritizing safety and support. They gained valuable skills in critical thinking, mastering the calculations crucial for effective fireground operations, honing leadership capabilities, cultivating command presence, and refining troubleshooting abilities. As a result, their confidence increased.
“Over the past seven years, the CAFMA Engineer Academy has proven to be an invaluable asset, not only to our own agency but to fire agencies across the state. This program embodies our commitment to excellence and ensures that our Engineers are equipped with the critical skills needed to protect our communities safely and effectively. We are proud to see the positive impact the Academy has on enhancing Fire Service capabilities statewide,” said CAFMA Fire Chief Scott Freitag.
For more information about the CAFMA Engineer Academy, please contact CAFMA Administration at 928-772-7711.
