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Technical Services Branch

The Technical Services Branch oversees the Virginia Fire Marshal Academy (VFMA), Aircraft Rescue Firefighting (ARFF), Logistics, National Incident Management System (NIMS), Quality Assurance for Fire Service Training Record System (FSTRS), and Technical Rescue (TR) Programs.

Aircraft Rescue Firefighting - Our state-of the art trainer is a computer controlled system that simulates realistic aircraft fire and emergency scenarios. The mobile unit travels throughout the state delivering on-site live fire training. Prior to the ARFF program, localities had to routinely send aircraft firefighters out of state to receive their mandatory training.

Technical Rescue Program - The TR Chief provides the comprehensive oversight for the Technical Rescue Program in the Commonwealth. In addition, the TR Chief provides the specialized training for Virginia ’s Fire Service in relation to the TR Program. The TR Chief maintains a comprehensive list of the instructor cadre, locations of logistical trailers for support, and the on-going training sites throughout the Commonwealth.

Logistics - The Logistic section provides support to the three branches of the Virginia Department of Fire Programs. The Logistics section ensures that all fleet vehicles are maintained; works with the seven operation divisions and four specialty area’s to provide assistance with program development and; maintenance for 40 specialized trailers and equipment to support 30 programs offered throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

NIIMS - The National Incident Management System (NIMS) has been developed to provide a common system that emergency service agencies can utilize at local, state and federal levels. NIMS consists of five major sub-systems that collectively provide a total systems approach to all risk incident management.

Curriculum Development / Quality Assurance - The Quality Assurance Chief is responsible for the day to day quality control operations of the Fire Service Training Records System (FSTRS). In that capacity, personal training record information that has been added to the system will be examined and parameters established for quality reporting within the agency for the FSTRS. Reports will be generated to insure that the system is serving Virginia ’s Firefighters adequately. The Chief is also responsible for the Information Technology & Fire Data and Statistics section, oversees the agency website and controls the logistics and coordination of the equipments and trailers.

Virginia Fire Marshal Academy - Fighting to prevent and investigate the devastating effects of fire, fire marshals serve as the law and code enforcement arm of the fire service. After receiving extensive training, fire inspectors and investigators are responsible for fire prevention, inspections and investigations. The Virginia Fire Marshal Academy recruits instructors to teach these extensive programs and organizes training classes that are held throughout the Commonwealth.

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• Last Updated: Monday, December 13, 2010