Sponsored by Upper Valley Regional Emergency Services Association, Inc.
Saturday September 6 & Sunday September 7, 2025
Location: Rivendell Academy, 2072 NH Route 25A Orford, NH 03777. Doors open at 7:15 AM, orientation at 7:45 AM, classes start at 8:00 AM SHARP!
Classes will be filled on a first come first served basis; for best opportunity at your classes of choice please review the course offerings below and click the link to register online (requires first, second and third choice) OR download the mail-in registration form to fill out your enrollment, get your Chief’s signature, scan the document and email it back to uvresafireschool@gmail.com. All checks for registration must be made out to: Upper Valley Regional Fire School or UVRFS. Mailed in applications will be processed as they are received. Checks and applications may also be mailed to: UVRESA, PO Box 224, Hanover, NH 03755
Payment will also be accepted at the registration desk on the morning of the class. Payment must be received before start of class at 8 am September 6th. Lunch and drinks and will be provided at no charge both days. If you are registering online, A SIGNED WAIVER MUST BE PRESENTED AT CHECK-IN.
2-Day Course Offerings – $200 per 2-Day Class
Personal Protective Equipment & Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus – SATURDAY/SUNDAY – 2 DAYS
Taught by Instructors from the New Hampshire Fire Academy.
After completion of this module, students will be able to describe the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that is used by firefighters, explain the importance of PPE, describe how PPE is properly maintained, identify the hazards of smoke and other toxic environments, and explain why respiratory protection an essential need of fire service personnel. Students will be able to describe the different types of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), identify its limitations, explain the procedures for maintenance, inspections, refilling, and donning. Students will practice the skills of donning, doffing, performing inspections and maintenance, and operating in a SCBA. This course includes some classroom with most of the time being practical skill activities. As part of the program, students will participate in SCBA confidence building drills including SCBA maze, working in restricted spaces, working with limited visibility and working with a partner using strong communications. This course does not completely satisfy the requirements of NFPA 1001 for Firefighter I job performance. There is a 15-student minimum.
Pre-requisites: None Equipment needs: PPE, SCBA & 1 Spare Cylinder 15 STUDENT MINIMUM
Advanced Pumping / Rural Water Supply – SATURDAY/SUNDAY – 2 DAYS
Taught by Harry McGovern NH Fire Academy. Instructor Bio – Harry McGovern – Retired Fire Chief, Littleton Fire Department, Retired Captain, NH Fire Academy with over 30 years of experience
This course builds upon foundational knowledge of pumps and pump operations, offering participants a hands-on opportunity to further develop their skills. Students will deepen their understanding of pump systems, priming techniques, and the practical application of key principles. Emphasis will be placed on maintenance procedures, troubleshooting, and strategies to prevent and address pump damage. The curriculum includes drafting exercises, portable pump operations, and relay pumping scenarios, ensuring that participants gain comprehensive, real-world experience throughout the training. Maximum Students 20
Prerequisites: None Equipment: PPE Maximum class size: 20
Saturday Courses – $100 per class
Lithium-Ion Battery Awareness/ 4-Gas Meters – SATURDAY – 1 DAY
Taught by Robert Morlino, Lead Instructor, Vermont Fire Academy, Hazardous Materials Technician, Vermont Hazmat Response Team
Asst. Chief, Pawlet Vol. Fire Department
Lithium-Ion Battery Awareness – (3 hours)
Lithium-ion batteries are becoming commonplace on the roads, in industrial settings, and in the residential fire environment, and pose unique challenges to the fire service. This 3-hour course introduces students to how lithium-ion battery systems work, how they fail, and how they burn. It provides students with tactical guidance for safely and effectively dealing with fires in electric vehicles, energy storage systems, e-mobility devices, and other applications of lithium-ion battery technology.
4-Gas Meters – (3 hours)
This training course is designed to equip firefighters with knowledge and practical skills
required to safely operate and interpret data from 4-gas meters in hazardous environments.
The course focuses on atmospheric monitoring during a gas leak, toxic gas situations, confined space
entry, and post-incident overhaul, where toxic gases and oxygen-deficient atmospheres are
common threats. Through classroom instruction, participants will gain a solid understanding of the key gases detected by 4-gas meters, their health impacts, and how to respond appropriately to dangerous
atmospheric readings. Special emphasis is placed on safety thresholds, lower explosive limits
(LEL), action levels, and the critical procedures for bump testing, calibration, and zeroing.
First Engine Operations – SATURDAY – 1 DAY
Taught by Deputy Chief Czora / Hartford Fire Department
This one-day course immerses participants in a comprehensive overview of effective scene management and tactical response. The course begins by emphasizing the importance of a thorough scene size-up, including the delivery of clear radio reports to ensure that incoming units are fully apprised of the situation. Students are trained to identify when additional resources should be requested and how to conduct a complete 360-degree scene assessment, thoughtfully weighing the balance between risk and reward.
Next, the course explores the development of Incident Action Plans (IAP) and the execution of initial operations. Participants learn to select appropriate attack methods, choose and position hose lines thoughtfully, and evaluate water supply options, whether drawing from municipal sources, employing forward or reverse lays, or utilizing rural water supply techniques such as rural hitches and portable ponds or tanks.
Special attention is given to unique scenarios that require tailored approaches, including attic fires, basement fires, and incidents involving high-rise buildings equipped with standpipe systems. By the end of the course, students will have gained practical strategies and decision-making tools to enhance their effectiveness and safety during complex fireground operations.
Prerequisites: None Equipment Needs: None
Propane Emergencies – SATURDAY 1-DAY
Instructor: Ryan Gallien, NH Fire Academy Instructor. Instructor Bio – Ryan Gallien has been a propane technician for 20 years working for a large fuel company doing everything from service, equipment installation, commercial tank farms and vaporizers, to jurisdictional inspections and propane emergency response. Ryan is also a Firefighter/AEMT, a HazMat specialist in Highway Emergency Response, the vice president of the Midwestern NH HazMat Response Team, and an instructor for the NH Fire Academy
This course offers a thorough overview of propane emergencies, focusing on both foundational knowledge and hands-on experience. Participants will learn about the key principles of propane, the components of gas systems, delivery vehicles, water injection, flaring operations, hydraulic venting, metering, and vaporizers. The curriculum features a Bobtail walk-around, sand table exercises, and live fire scenarios—including live propane releases. To fully participate in these practical exercises, students are required to bring their turnout gear and SCBA.
Prerequisites: None Equipment Needs: Full PPE and SCBA
Fire Communications – SATURDAY – 1 DAY
Taught by Emily Leinoff, Emergency Communications, Newport VT Police Department
This comprehensive course provides an in-depth look at the vital role of emergency communications in fire service operations. Participants will explore the entire communications process—from receiving and dispatching calls to managing on-scene coordination. Key topics include: The difference between call taking and dispatching; Effective dispatching techniques, Radio etiquette and protocols, navigating communication challenges, conducting scene size-ups, Mutual aid coordination, Utilizing dispatch resources and handling requests. The training incorporates real-life examples and interactive scenarios, allowing participants to apply their knowledge and build practical communication skills essential for high-pressure environments.
Prerequisites: None Equipment Needs: None