Welcome to the home of the Michiana FOOLS
The Michiana FOOLS were established by local
firefighters who saw a need for something more for our local firefighters.
They saw a need to bring additional training resources together between
all local department, and offer advanced training topics not currently
held locally. They also saw a division between members of different
departments and even within departments. The Michiana FOOLS believe
these barriers need to be broke down, career or volunteer, city or township,
they are detrimental to the fire service.
The Michiana FOOLS have been founded to
promote training within the local fire service, promote, and protect
the brotherhood, by building on long standing tradition and honor, and
give back to the communities we serve.
We encourage all firefighters to become
a Michiana FOOL. For more information contact a Michiana FOOL
or email info@michianafools.com.
Download our application.
By: Brian Kazmierzak
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
1st ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS OF MISHAWAKA, LOCAL 360 GOLF SCRAMBLE
EBERHART GOLF COURSE
JUNE 6, 2009
12:30
BENEFITS PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS OF MISHAWAKA, LOCAL 360 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP FUND AND PENN TOWNSHIP FOOD PANTRY
$200 PER TEAM OF FOUR
$275 TEAM AND TEE/GREEN SPONSER
$100 TEE/GREEN SPONSOR
ASK ABOUT OUR CORPORATE/TOURNAMENT SPONSORSHIPS
CLOSEST TO THE PIN
LONGEST DRIVE
LONGEST PUTT
HOG ROAST AFTER TOURNAMENT
Please direct any questions to Kevin Gnivecki at (574) 258-1674
or Brian Linson at (574) 273-8817
By: Brian Kazmierzak
Monday, March 16, 2009
The St. Joseph County LEPC has generously funded HAZMAT Operations for our county. The course will be hosted by the Mishawaka Fire Department at 333 E. Douglas Rd, Mishawka 46545 and at the Penn Township Fire Department at 13960 Jackson Rd, Mishawaka 46544. This course is open to all Public Safety as well as private industry located in St. Joseph County. Please register by emailing Captain Raymond Schultz at rschultz@mishawakacity.com, 15 days in advance.
Class dates and times
Session 1--4/13 & 15 MFD 0800-1700
Session 2--4/28 & 30 MFD 0800-1700
Session 3--5/5 & 5/7 MFD 0800-1700
Session 4--5/12 & 5/14 MFD 0800-1700
Session 5--5/19 & 5/21 MFD 0800-1700
Session 6--5/26 & 5/28 MFD 0800-1700
Session 7--5/9 & 5/10 PTFD 0800-1700
If you are interested please be available for both days of the session and HAZAMT Awareness is a pre-requisite for certification.
By: Brian Kazmierzak
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Saturday October 10th, 2009 - Location - TBA - 0800-1200hrs
Class B Foam Operations - Paul Albinger - Elkhart Brass
F - fundamentals
O - operations
A - application
M - maintenance
What do these terms mean? - Fire Point - Ignition Temperature - Polar Solvent
How Many Types of Foam are there?
How does that educator work or why doesn't it?
Metering - How much foam do I need? How many GPM? What Nozzle?
Do I use Straight Stream, Fog, Aspirate?
How do I maintain the equipment? When should I do it? Troubleshooting on scene?
By: Brian Kazmierzak
Sunday, March 08, 2009
PLEASE REGISTER AT www.indianafiretraining.com COURSE COST $50/Person - FOOLS Members $40/Person
"Firefighter Close Calls"... "Scared Straight".... "Structural Firefighting-LESSONS LEARNED"... and related FIRE COMMAND & FIREFIGHTER/ FIREGROUND SAFETY PROGRAMS
Chief Goldfeder will present the classroom version of "CLOSE CALLS" (aka "Fireground Injury and Death: Tragic Events and Related Firefighter Close Calls") The class is taught by Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder, E.F.O., Loveland-Symmes, Ohio, Fire Department. Contributing Editor/Columist: Firehouse, Fire-Rescue & Fire Engineering Magazines. Updated annually, as well as when incidents present new learning opportunities, the program can be done for a half or a full day of training.
Chief Billy G. will present to the attendees, through incredible video, audio, slides and "WAKE UP" lecture, an in-depth review of specific fireground events and most specifically, the LESSONS LEARNED so that these incidents (and those involved) don't ever become forgotten. Attended by thousands of firefighters and fire officers since 2000, this high energy class provides the attendees an excellent opportunity to apply the LESSONS LEARNED to their own departments when returning home...potentially avoiding "history tragically repeating itself". The goal of the program is to have Firefighters, Officers and Elected Officials leave more knowledgeable, educated and informed but most importantly thinking HARD about their role and the department's responsibility in STRUCTURAL FIREFIGHTING! The subject matter all relates to STRUCTURAL FIREFIGHTING and their "lessons learned". Contact us at brian@firefighterclosecalls.com for additional details.
By: Brian Kazmierzak
Sunday, March 08, 2009
District-2 Safety Officer class March 31-April 1. 0830 - 1630.
Any firefighter can attend but, to be eligible to take the state test Fire Officer I is a prerequisite.
The instructor is Shawn Grass a Battalion Chief with the Indianapolis Fire Dept.
http://indianafiretraining.com/District2/Article.aspx?AID=200936.2.409
By: Brian Kazmierzak
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
8 Hours of Tailgating
200+ Firefighters & Families
200+ HotDogs & Brats
Firefighters from LA, DC, NJ, OH, IL, IN, MI
An appearance by Bobby Halton, Fire Engineering Magazine
25 Cases of Beer
By: Brian Kazmierzak
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Once again this year the Michiana FOOLS participated in the Suicide Prevention Stayin A Float Raft Race on June 21st, 2008 at the East Race Whitewater Course in Downtown South Bend. The FOOLS were trying to defend their title this year but ended up with teams placing 3rd, 6th, and ABSOLUTE DEAD LAST - that boat full of guys had some SERIOUS ISSUES - they probably should stay in the Kiddie Division next year! Anyways it was a great time for a great cause!
By: Brian Kazmierzak
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
The Michiana FOOLS in conjunction with Porter, MI Emergency Services, the University of Notre Dame and the MABAS 201 Tactical Rescue Team are hosting a 64hr Rope & Confined Space Operations Course. Below are some pictures from this course an their Rope Practical Evolution inside the Joyce Center at the University of Notre Dame. One of the Guest Instructors for this Course with Firefighter Kelly Byrne, Washington DC Fire & EMS Rescue Squad 2 Member and 2007 Firehouse Heroism Award Winner, and newphew of Michiana FOOLS Member Terry Byrne.
By: Brian Kazmierzak
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
This picture was sent by a friend that recently spotted Chief Billy Goldfeder wearing a Michiana FOOLS shirt while in San Diego, CA! Gotta love that free advertising! If you would like to be stylish like Billy shirts can be purchased from Brian Hester, Michiana FOOLS Merchandise Trustee. Information is below on the website.
By: Brian Kazmierzak
Monday, October 15, 2007
New Michiana FOOLS Apparel is now availible. All shirts are green in color. T-Shirts have front and back screen printing. Windshirts have embroidered patch on the front only.
Short Sleeve T-Shirts - $15.00
Long Sleeve T-Shirts - $20.00
Windshirts - $40.00
Shipping & Handling - $6.00
By: Brian Kazmierzak
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
A fun time was had by all at the 5th Annual Michiana FOOLS Tailgate Party which was held Sept. 22nd in the JACC Lot at the Notre Dame vs. Michigan St. game! A special thanks to the Indy Pipes & Drums and Band of Brothers Bag Pipe Bands! Next years tailgate is 9/28/08 at the Notre Dame vs. Purdue Game!
On the Internet:
The web site Firefighter Close Calls at
http://www.firefighterclosecalls.com
is a 100% non-commercial, independent and free....with only one
focus: firefighter safety and getting everyone home. The site
is filled with ready to download firefighter safety related
information, close call reports, related incident photos, weekly
drills, sample SOP's and you can also subscribe to The Secret
List, a free e-newsletter at the site as well. It's
the PERFECT gift-at no cost!!!
FOOLS FAQ's:
What is the mission of the Michiana FOOLS?
1. Function as a Fire Service entity separate
and distinct from any and all other Fire Service bodies or movements
2. Provide the Fire Service the catalyst which
embodies the growth of education and training
3. Move the Fire Services' collective conscience
in a positive direction by building on long standing tradition and
honor
How do I become a member?
First and foremost you must support training and tradition in the
fire service. Eligibility requires members to hold the status of
firefighter in one or more of the following capacities: career firefighter,
paid on call, or volunteer. To become a member of the International
FOOLS requires a ONE-TIME membership fee of $15.00. Applications
are available online at www.foolsinternational.com or at any Michiana
FOOLS meeting. Membership to our local Chapter is $10.00 per year.
We encourage you to visit www.foolsinternational.com before
becoming a member.
What do I get for my money?
You will receive a FOOLS International membership card,
the Michiana FOOLS newsletter, e-mails regarding training information,
a membership discount on all training sponsored by our FOOLS Chapter,
the chance to network with pro-active, training oriented firefighters
from NE Indiana, and you will become a member of the best fire service
training organization in the world!
If you would like to become a member,
have training ideas, or would like to host a Michiana FOOLS monthly
meeting or training contact a FOOLS e-board member.
