Drake becomes first Moab firefighter to receive Fire Officer 1 certification
May 01, 2014 | 1107 views | 0 0 comments | 31 31 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Chris Drake recently became the first Moab firefighter to receive Fire Officer 1 certification. Courtesy photo
Chris Drake recently became the first Moab firefighter to receive Fire Officer 1 certification. Courtesy photo
slideshow
The Moab Fire Department now has its first and only firefighter so far to receive a certification in Fire Officer 1. Christopher Drake, who has served on the department since 2001 and is currently a captain, successfully completed the certification requirements in February and was issued his certification on April 9 from Utah Fire Rescue Academy (UFRA).

It began a little over two years ago, when former Fire Chief Corky Brewer approached Drake and two other firefighters about taking the course.

“I was a bit apprehensive at first, especially when I ended up being the only one who took it,” Drake said. “But once I began, I realized that it was the next step in what I wanted to do.”

The course consisted of online assignments with the academy, training on the required written and practical objectives, passing a practical skills examination, and then passing both a written and practical skills examination administered by a member of UFRA’s Certification Council.

“It was a lot of work, and I think the biggest challenge was working at my full-time job and then finding the separate time to study and stay with it.” Drake said. “Also, since I was the first one to take the course, I didn’t have an instructor outside of the online assignments, so I had to teach everything to myself.”

He said he found that it was quite different from the Firefighter 1 and Firefighter 2 courses that he had previously completed.

“The Fire Officer 1 course concentrates on human resource management, community and government relations, administration, emergency service delivery and inspection and investigation,” Drake said. “Firefighter 1 and 2 dealt more with firefighter skills in fighting fires. It was a good contrast, and I’ve learned so much. It’s taught me leadership, and it’s made me a better firefighter.”

In addition to his Fire Officer 1 certification, Drake currently holds Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2, and Fire Service Instructor certifications, and plans on furthering his education.

“I look forward to the challenge of learning new things,” he said. “I’ve been interested in firefighting for as far back as I can remember. I enjoy serving my community in this way.”
Share This Article |
similar stories

Castle Valley Comments July 17, 2014 | 6 days ago by Ron Drake

Wildfire chars 8.9 acres on Kerby Lane, structures spared | 27 days ago by Lisa J. Church
Staff Writer

Firefighters have busy Fourth of July; area fire restrictions imposed | 13 days ago by Jeff Richards
Contributing Writer

Castle Valley Comments July 10, 2014 | 13 days ago by Ron Drake

Moab’s Relay for Life moving indoors for 2014 event | 6 days ago by Jeff Richards
Contributing Writer


Copyright 2013 The Times-Independent. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

report abuse...

Express yourself:

We're glad to give readers a forum to express their points of view on issues important to this community. That forum is the “Letters to the Editor.” Letters to the editor may be submitted directly to The Times-Independent through this link and will be published in the print edition of the newspaper. All letters must be the original work of the letter writer – form letters will not be accepted. All letters must include the actual first and last name of the letter writer, the writer’s address, city and state and telephone number. Anonymous letters will not be accepted.

Letters may not exceed 400 words in length, must be regarding issues of general interest to the community, and may not include personal attacks, offensive language, ethnic or racial slurs, or attacks on personal or religious beliefs. Letters should focus on a single issue. Letters that proselytize or focus on theological debates will not be published. During political campaigns, The Times-Independent will not publish letters supporting or opposing any local candidate. Thank you letters are generally not accepted for publication unless the letter has a public purpose. Thank you letters dealing with private matters that compliment or complain about a business or individual will not be published. Nor will letters listing the names of individuals and/or businesses that supported a cause or event. Thank you letters about good Samaritan acts will be considered at the discretion of the newspaper.