The Shreveport Fire Department Training Division strives to continue it's role of providing support and on-going professional development training through hands-on instruction and presenting dynamic lectures on topics relevant to the needs of the department. For the first time in the department's history, tow of the four Basic Training Classes offered consisted of a five-week abbreviated class schedule which saved the tax payers an estimated $20,000 per recruit since previously trained fire service recruits filled this year's roster. Similarly, we will continue to explore new options to save money without jeopardizing quality personnel.

The following training courses were conducted in 2010: mandatory EMT-Basic and EMT-Paramedic re-certification training for all active duty personnel, while firefighters participated in special operations courses focusing on ropes, high angle, confined space and trench rescue. Due to a $160,00 grant, a state-of-the-art Driving Simulator was purchased adding to the Department's repertoire of resources to aid firefighters in driver training and driver safety. Finally, every member of the department participated in diversity training classes which were designed to promote on-the-job cultural acceptance and tolerance.

In 2010, area high school students joined veteran fire service professionals in the department's first Firefighter I training class which was designed to introduce and pique the interest of students seeking a career in the fire service. In 2010, 17 Shreveport Citizens successfully completed the Departments FIRST Volunteer Fire Corps Program. The six weeks of comprehensive classroom instruction and hands-on training allows this group to assist the Department with non-emergency operations.

Shreveport Fire Department Training Academy

The Shreveport Fire Department Training Division is located at 6440 Greenwood Road in the western part of the city on a 19-acre tract. The Fire Academy consists of three classrooms, library, gymnasium, a two-bay apparatus building, seven-story drill tower, and a two-story, state of the art burn building. The burn training ground features a liquid fire training facility, an LPG fire simulator, tank trucks and a vehicle extrication project.

The Academy is directed by the Chief Training Officer, 2 Assistant Chief Training Officers and 4 Fire/Paramedic Training Officers. This cadre is responsible for providing classes and drills on new evolutions and standard training methods. The clerical staff is composed of one senior secretary and one associate word processor.

A closed-circuit television network is utilized to provide training programs to all 21 fire stations and divisions. The Fire and Emergency Television Network (F.E.T.N.) is also a part of the daily training curriculum.

Two Training Division personnel serve as hazardous materials response team coordinators, and respond to incidents involving hazardous chemicals to provide support. The Division also responds to large fires, mass casualty incidents and other major disasters within the city, to provide support for incident commanders and to evaluate on scene operations.