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What We Offer: Courses and Props

DPSST's Fire Training Program offers a wide array of courses and props to meet your fire service agency's needs. Below is a comprehensive list of those offerings. To schedule a course or prop for your area, contact your Regional Fire Training Coordinator.

For any live fire training taught by DPSST staff, the following form is required to be submitted for each participant: DPSST Department Authorization Form for Live Fire.

CLASSROOM/HANDS ON COMBINATION CLASSES:

  • NFPA FIRE FIGHTER I and II: (Combination Hands On Training with Classroom)
  • NFPA Fire Instructor I (Hybrid)
  • NFPA Fire Instructor II (Hybrid)
  • NFPA Fire Officer I (Hybrid)
  • NFPA Fire Officer II (Hybrid)
  • NFPA Driver​​
  • NFPA Apparatus Equipped with Fire Pump (Pumper)

  • NFPA Mobile Water Supply (Tender Opertaor)

CLASSES WITH PROPS:

  • Mayday Firefighter Safety & Survival Props
  • Live Fire Flammable Liquids & Gas Props
  • Live Fire Vehicle Fire Prop
  • Live Fire Mobile Fire Training Unit 53ft Semi Trailer  ​
  • Skid-truck Training                       

DPSST MAY ASSIST WITH THE FOLLOWING NWCG WILDLAND CLASSES:        

  • S-130/S-190 Beginner Classes (FF Type II)
  • S-131 Includes S-133 (FF Type I)

​NFA CLASSES ARE TAUGHT BY NFA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS WHICH ARE SPONSORED BY NFA THROUGH DPSST

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​​RESOURCES FOR THE FOLLOWING CLASSES:
  • ​​​​​ODOT Traffic Incident Management (TIM)

 Wesbite: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/maintenance/pages/traffic-incident-management.aspx 

 Contact: Dustin Ross at Dustin.D.ROSS@odot.oregon.gov   



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What exactly is a SKIDTRUCK? The SKIDTRUCK is a semi-truck that has been modified with a set of “training wheels” that are controlled from within the vehicle. The SKIDTRUCK system uses hydraulic rams and casters to lift the truck just enough to limit the normal traction and simulate driving on wet pavement, snow, ice, etc. With this system DPSST is able to teach drivers how to stay calm while employing techniques that keep the driver in control when navigating hazardous conditions.

Through the use of two separate SKIDTRUCKS, one stationary truck in Salem and one traveling tractor trailer that brings the class to all corners of Oregon, DPSST is able to offer a comprehensive driver development course. The curriculum consists of a classroom portion that covers material ranging from vehicle dynamics to proper braking techniques and overall stability, in addition to hands-on training in the SKIDTRUCK unit.

This piece of equipment requires a DPSST Fire District Coordinator or Trainer to facilitate the instruction and use of this prop. Curriculum associated with the instruction of this prop is written by and proprietary to DPSST. Additionally, all DPSST Fire District Coordinators and Trainers have the proper credentialling to safely transport the prop and have taken the manufacturer's train-the-trainer required to safely operate the prop. Please contact your DPSST Fire District Coordinator to schedule a time for instructional delivery associated with this prop.​​

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The Mobile Fire Training Unit (MFTU) contains a permanent propane-fired bed prop and rollover simulator. Portable propane-fired pans can be relocated in the unit and covered with other simulated props to provide a variety of live-fire exercises. The unit’s onboard generator makes it totally self-contained and portable, though an optional shore power connection is available.  

Movable interior wall panels enable instructors to change the layout of the unit to present participants with different scenarios. Several panels have mock doors or other moveable components. The integrated smoke generator creates a dark smoke that forces members to crawl and search in realistic type conditions. The collapsible second story provides the means for performing other essential skills like laddering, vertical ventilation, and multistory fire attack. A few individuals can easily erect the second story in approximately 30 minutes.

Click here for a great video showcasing the MFTU by Umatilla County Fire District #1's Recruitment & Retention Coordinator Nickolas Oatley.

This piece of equipment requires a DPSST Fire District Coordinator or Trainer to facilitate the instruction and use of this prop. Curriculum associated with the instruction of this prop is written by and proprietary to DPSST. Additionally, all DPSST Fire District Coordinators and Trainers have the proper credentialling to safely transport the prop and have taken the manufacturer's train-the-trainer required to safely operate the prop. Please contact your DPSST Fire District Coordinator to schedule a time for instructional delivery associated with this prop.

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The Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) delivers a Flammable Liquids and Gases class regionally that includes both a classroom illustrated lecture and hands-on exercises using propane-fueled live-fire props.  Classroom content includes chemical and physical properties of flammable and combustible liquids and gases, the hazards they present, and safe tactics in handling these emergencies.  The props include a residential natural gas meter and propane tank, as well as a flash pan for liquids.  With these props, NFPA Firefighter II skills such as hose advancing, fire stream placement and foam application techniques are practiced in the hands-on portion. 

This piece of equipment requires a DPSST Fire District Coordinator or Trainer to facilitate the instruction and use of this prop. Curriculum associated with the instruction of this prop is written by and proprietary to DPSST. Additionally, all DPSST Fire District Coordinators and Trainers have the proper credentialling to safely transport the prop and have taken the manufacturer's train-the-trainer required to safely operate the prop. Please contact your DPSST Fire District Coordinator to schedule a time for instructional delivery associated with this prop.​

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Vertical ventilation is a bread and butter evolution for fire ground operations. The availability of vertical ventilation training aids can be challenging for fire agencies throughout Oregon. The Department of Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) offers departments and training associations a mobile ventilation training tool. The ventilation training tool is steel framework that is manufactured on a trailer. This allows the training tool to be delivered to a desired site that that allows participants to train in their respective home unit areas for greater training opportunities. The frame work allows the use of 2x10 framing for ceiling joists and 2x4 framing for simulated trusses. OSB or plywood is used to deck the trusses for ventilation. Roofing paper or asphalt shingles can also be used. The framework is then hydraulically lifted to the desired pitch.

Participants can utilize the tool through various evolutions from flat roof ventilation up to a 6-12 pitch peak roof ventilation evolutions. Ladder evolutions, tools and hoisting techniques can be incorporated into ventilation evolutions. The unit is also lighted for use during low light and night operations to suit departmental needs.​

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The Oregon DPSST has two propane fired vehicle fire safety props designed to simulate a passenger vehicle fire. This completely hands-on class teaches the tactics required for safe and effective extinguishment of vehicle fires. The course covers the principles of: angle of approach, vehicle hazards zones, order of operations, and hose handling skills. This class conforms to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1403 standard for live fire training. All students must have the perquisite firefighter coursework and OSHA respiratory requirements to participate. This class typically accommodates a minimum of 9 and maximum of 25 students in a 2-2 ½ hour period.

This piece of equipment requires a DPSST Fire District Coordinator or Trainer to facilitate the instruction and use of this prop. Curriculum associated with the instruction of this prop is written by and proprietary to DPSST. Additionally, all DPSST Fire District Coordinators and Trainers have the proper credentialling to safely transport the prop and have taken the manufacturer's train-the-trainer required to safely operate the prop. Please contact your DPSST Fire District Coordinator to schedule a time for instructional delivery associated with this prop.​

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Mayday training is provided thru DPSST to teach firefighters how  and when to call a Mayday. This can include entrapment, low air, entanglement, falls, disorientation, separation, and collapse. The purpose of knowing when and how to call a Mayday is of the upmost important to saving firefighters lives.

Training provided by DPSST cadre includes 3 hours of classroom followed by several hours of hands-on training with several scenarios based on actual incidents. We do training on how to avoid getting into a situation and how to react in case something does go wrong.

Mayday, Mayday​May Day Dufur 2.jpg

The Firefighter Self-Rescue course is designed to teach the techniques required after calling mayday, but prior to receiving help. Topics covered in this class include wall breaching techniques, moving through tight spaces with SCBA, ladder bailout, accessing high windows (basement), single firefighter escape, and team escapes. This class can accommodate up to 20 students in a 2 hour period. DPSST escape props can easily be set-up in an open truck bay. 

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​The Pump Operator Simulator is a unique training tool with simulation features designed to allow the fire service to learn and train on the pump panel on the fire ground, in your local fire stations, or in classrooms. It also provides great flexibility in your teaching environments to practice this skill without having to engage an engine during training. The simulator is operated through specialized hardware and software simulators which are designed to emulate hydraulics and various water sources, to include both static and pressurized, and can be used with a variety of nozzle and hose configurations. It also has sounds embedded into the program which further create a realistic training experience for the practicing fire fighter without actually pulling hose and hooking up to a water source. The Pump Operator Simulator will take your pumper operations to the next level of expertise.​


This piece of equipment requires a DPSST Fire District Coordinator or Trainer to facilitate the instruction and use of this prop. ​Please contact your DPSST Fire District Coordinator to schedule a time for instructional delivery associated with this prop.​​

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​The Virtual SKIDCAR Trainer, created in a collaboration between SKIDCAR SYSTEM INC and VR Motion Corp, is an advanced simulation system that can be set up in 10-15 minutes in a training room and is designed to meet various training needs. This unit is a portable desktop platform that uses the latest virtual reality software. The system utilizes a wide spectrum of real-world conditions in order to increase the competency of your department’s drivers. It improves situational awareness, muscle memory, retention, coordination, and safety of people and equipment. The trainees can experience changing weather, day or night driving, hazardous conditions, blind spots, sensory distractions and various scenarios that cannot be duplicated or safely experienced in the real world. The time it takes for each scenario will depend on the trainee. At the end of the session the driver’s results are only available on the instructor’s screen and the information will be used as the driving debrief at the end of the session.

This piece of equipment requires a DPSST Fire District Coordinator or Trainer to facilitate the instruction and use of this prop. Please contact your DPSST Fire District Coordinator to schedule a time for instructional delivery associated with this prop.