The Training Division, more formally known as the Education and Employee Development Division, is comprised of six fire rescue training officers and the Division Chief, Chip Branam.

The Training division is charged with providing department-wide training activities to maintain compliance with local, state and federal requirements, as well as providing educational programs designed to improve firefighter and paramedic skills, enhance personnel safety and ultimately provide a higher level of emergency service delivery to the citizens of Hillsborough County. Competent training ensures the safety of the public, as well as the safety and efficiency of Fire Rescue personnel.

With a fire rescue department of this size, innovative methods of course delivery must be explored. To that end, we have partnered with Learey Technical Center School for much of our in-service training. This relationship allows Learey to use more than 40 of HCFR’s brightest employee/instructors to deliver vital course content of our choosing to our own personnel.

Although our recruits are hired with state certifications as a firefighter/EMT, paramedic, or both, it is imperative that new employees are trained to the standards required by Hillsborough County Fire Rescue.  With one of the nation’s most aggressive/advanced paramedic protocols, HCFR recruits endure an intensive medical and fire orientation program that is followed by a closely scrutinized and evaluated probationary period. This Recruit Orientation Program  is an eight week comprehensive training process that ensures that the member will be able to function effectively in this challenging work environment.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue still maintains a volunteer contingent of about 150 volunteer firefighters. By state firefighter standards, all volunteer firefighters must attain Firefighter I or higher certification in order to participate as a volunteer firefighter. The Training Division provides this training as well as ongoing, more advanced training for these volunteers.

Recertification and continuing education is a critical component of every fire rescue member’s development as a Firefighter/Paramedic, Company Officer and eventually a competent Chief Officer. These functions are coordinated by the Training Division.