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Orono Fire Needs Assessment <br />27 | Page <br /> <br />3.4.3 Relief Association <br />The Long Lake Fire Department Relief Association manages the pension fund which is invested <br />with the State Board of Investment. The lump sum benefit level is $7,000 per year of service as <br />of 1/1/2022. The vesting schedule is 60% at 10-years and 100% at 20-years. The benefit level is <br />funded by the rates of return on investments and fire state aid. In my 15-years as Fire Chief at <br />Long Lake, the cities didn’t contribute any extra funds for the firefighter’s pension. Orono <br />makes up approximately 2/3 of the fire state aid. <br />3.5 Fire and EMS Training Delivery <br />Training and education of personnel are critical functions for a fire department. Emergency <br />personnel are at risk and emergency outcomes are compromised without quality and <br />comprehensive training programs. Initial, ongoing, and high-quality training and education is <br />critical for a fire department effectiveness and the safety of its personnel. <br />The training of the newly hired firefighter requires a structured recruit training and testing <br />process. Once the initial training is complete, personnel need to be actively engaged on a <br />regular basis to ensure skills and knowledge are maintained. Training programs must go <br />beyond simply fulfilling mandatory hours. Emergency services training officers must ensure <br />that firefighters are not only competent, but also self-confident in the variety of skills necessary <br />to perform effectively. Firefighting and EMS skills and knowledge are perishable. This is why it <br />is important to have a good instructor or two within the organization. Or have access to <br />resources and funds to bring in outside experts. The training should be set up in a way that if <br />follows a prescribed lesson plan that meets specific objectives. <br />3.5.1 General Training Competencies <br />Training must be based on standards to be effective. In Minnesota, the fire standards are <br />established through the Minnesota Board of Firefighter Training and Education (MBFTE) along <br />with the Minnesota State Certification Board. The national fire standards are found in NFPA <br />and the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA). Medical standards are <br />established by the National Emergency Medical Services. The Long Lake Fire Department does <br />an excellent job of following and training to the standards. <br />3.5.2 Training Program Management and Administration <br />A training program needs to be well managed to be effective. The program should include <br />training administration, recordkeeping, training facilities and resources, general training <br />competencies and training methodologies. A paid-on call training officer has their hands full <br />with normal scheduled training and they have little time to address the administrative support <br />and the development of the program guidance such as training planning, goals and defined