Frankfort & Georgetown FDs to conduct joint training

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – The City of Frankfort’s Commission, along with the City of Georgetown, have authorized joint training between the Frankfort Fire Department and Georgetown’s Fire Department.

Frankfort Fire Chief Eddie Slone, a member of the department since 1994 and Chief since 2013, said the Joint Training Agreement will help spread all aspects of training recruits between the two entities.  “In the past training has been shouldered by each individual fire department and to get these recruits ready to ride the trucks involves 14 weeks of training. All the training is necessary, but it’s a big commitment,” Slone said.

Georgetown Fire Chief John Ward, 22 year veteran of the Georgetown Fire Department and Chief for two years, agrees with Chief Slone.  “Fourteen weeks of basic recruit training can drain a lot of resources from one department.  The agreement will help divide those resources between the two departments.  It also gives the recruits the benefit of two departments of seasoned professionals,” Ward emphasized.

Ward went on to say that there is also the benefit of having larger recruit classes. “Not only does it help the departments, but it also helps the recruits because fire-fighting is a team concept and it’s hard to teach that concept when you only have two or three recruits.  Having both departments’ recruits train together gives them a better idea of team building,” said Ward.

The Joint Training Agreement will also help by allowing the departments to cost-share the recruit training.  According to Chief Slone the fourteen week training will be split between the two departments.

Neither Chief Slone nor Chief Ward had previously heard of this type of Joint Training Agreement from within the state of Kentucky.  “I think we may be breaking new ground here,” said Chief Slone.  “We’re eager to see how it goes.”