The Middletown Township Fire Training Academy, a division of the Middletown Township Fire Department, Middletown Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey was started in 1974 by founder George Richdale. It currently shares a home with the Middletown Township Fire Department Special Services Unit and Air Support Unit in the River Plaza section of Middletown Township. Certified by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety, the Fire Academy provides comprehensive firematic training to Firefighters in Middletown Township and any interested community.
As with any training institution, the most important asset is the people who unselfishly devote their time and energy to achieve excellence in Firefighting and Emergency Services Instruction. As the "irons" are to a forcible entry crew, so are the instructors to the M.T.F.D. Fire Training Academy. The instructor staff is made up of members of the Fire Service, who have shown outstanding dedication and devotion to the fire service through the most important commitment there is; teaching new recruits and the continuing education of present fire service personnel. The leadership of the Fire Academy comes from the Fire Academy Board of Directors who are responsible for maintaining the current training curriculum, scheduling of facilities use, and student and instructor development.
The instructor staff consists of any member in the fire service who has obtained a minimum of NJ State Level I Instructor Certification or equivalent. To become a member of the instructor staff in Middletown Township, submit a resume and appropriate documentation or contact the M.T.F.D. Fire Academy Board of Directors to investigate how to obtain the necessary certifications.
On the grounds at the fire academy you will find the infamous smokehouse, which has been mentioned in the Firehouse Expo, Baltimore, Maryland. Constructed of concrete block with a fire-protective coating, the two-sided construction design contains a bi-level Single Family Dwelling mockup on one side and a split ranch Single Family Dwelling on the other side, both of which have a full basement. The construction of the interior facilitates changing the internal configuration to provide a "different" structure and layout to organizations who continue to use the facility. A third floor on the bi-level side adds to the experience and provides a practical "floor above" Search & Rescue exercise. On top of the structure there is a peaked roof prop which allows for practical experience on peaked roof ventilation procedures and a 20-x-20 simulated commercial flat roof ventilation prop to facilitate multiple truck companies working together under both light and heavy fire conditions.
In the smokehouse we burn Class "A" materials to provide as close to realistic environment as possible for our firefighting forces. Under the leadership of Chief Instructor Jerry "The Torch" Long, the academy is dedicated to meet the challenges of the fire service by embracing the concepts presented at the annual Fire Department Instructors Conference held in Indianapolis IN. This Fire Academy is obligated to train firefighters for real-life, high temperature fires, in smoke filled environments.
A second structure on the grounds is the 4 story ladder tower, with an internal stairway and a full sprinkler and standpipe system. Here firefighters practice working in a high-rise environment, while advancing hoselines, performing rescues on ground ladders, as well as working with aerial devices. Attached to the 4 story structure is a 2 story addition, which contains both peaked and flat roof props and an exterior stairway. The construction of the ladder tower allows for the capability of changing configurations to suit any training need. Currently in the plans is a simulated office environment/apartment configuration.The roof of the ladder tower also has preset anchors to allow training in high angle rope rescue procedures and an opening in all floors to simulate a 40 foot confined space/elevator shaft simulation.
Next to the student parking lot is an above ground Confined Space prop to train firefighters in the NJ State Police Confined Space Rescue Operations. The Confined Space consists of a manhole system attached to 100 feet of 24 inch pipe, with a square vault in the middle. Here the MTFD Special Services Unit trains all of their members to perform safely in an undesirable environment. Surrounding the confined space prop is a 70 degree angle sloped terrain to provide training in low-angle rope rescue procedures.
Academy administration and inside instruction is accomplished using the classroom building, located at the center of the complex. This building contains two classrooms, with the capacity of 50 students each and full Audio/Visual capabilities, two conference rooms for organization meetings and three engine bays to house spare fire apparatus and other training equipment.
The academy has also built an Advanced SCBA Maze prop that will test any firefighter, preparing them for entrapment, toxic environment SCBA bottle changes and maneuverability/agility measuring.
Also on location, there is an open area for vehicle fires, vehicle extrication, a 3,000 gallon tank for flammable liquid pit fires to use with foam and water applications.
The Fire academy also has a pond, which will allow pump operators during the Pump Operations Class to gain experience in drafting practices along with utilization of a portable tank and hydrant system, providing the students with a well rounded understanding of fire service hydraulics.
Current equipment housed at the fire academy is a 1971 American LaFrance 1250 Pumper donated by the Red Bank Fire Department Engine 93 and a Refurbished 1964 American LaFrance 100 ft. Ladder Truck, donated by the Iselin Fire Department.
Middletown Township Fire Academy is dedicated to the training of Firefighters. Students from any department can attend our scheduled classes or arrange to have their organization utilize our facility. For a complete list of the requirements and information on attending classes or booking time at our facility, simply contact the fire academy and speak with a member of the board of directors.
Visitors are always welcome. Call ahead to arrange a tour or observe the Middletown Township Fire Academy Staff in action to see how we can fulfill and exceed your training requirements.
The Middletown Township Volunteer Fire Department Training Academy accomplishes this task by using an instructor staff that has achieved the highest and most current levels of certifications. The Instructors maintain an active role in the fire service to assure their safety and improve the quality of life for those trained and the citizens of Middletown Township and surrounding communities.
The Middletown Township Fire Training Academy is an Equal Opportunity Institution. It does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, religious belief, national origin, or disability in its admissions and student-related policies and procedures.