SPEEDWAY FIRE-RESCUE (SFR) TO HOLD TRAINING CONFERENCE MARCH 17-18
Participants will brush up on motorsports firefighting and rescue techniques at this annual event

DAVENPORT, IA (March 9, 2007) - You're never to old to learn something new or to review what you learned in the past.

For that reason, the members of Speedway Fire-Rescue (www.speedwayfirerescue.com), an all-volunteer, Quad-Cities-based organization that has been providing firefighting, rescue and medical services to speedways, dragstrips, the Quad City Air Show and other venues for more than three decades, have scheduled their annual Motorsports Fire-Rescue Training Conference.

It takes place here on Saturday and Sunday, March 17 and 18, at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, 2815 W. Locust St.

This conference is designed to provide both training and awareness at motor sports events. It will promote safety as participants learn about and practice effective firefighting and rescue techniques for motorsports events.

Classroom discussion will be geared toward leadership in the fire service, track promoters, race car design, EMS for firefighters, health and safety awareness, crisis communication, dragster orientation and emergency vehicle operations.

Outside instruction will cover race car orientation of different types; designs and safety; helicopter and ambulance awareness; specialized extrication tools; fire extinguishers; rollover, extrication and car fire scenarios; non-powered handtools; firetruck orientation and SFR's 150 pound dry chemical hose system; and incident command.

All of the classroom training takes place inside the Keppy 4-H Building, the second structure west of the fairgrounds' grandstand. Hands-on training sessions that need to take place outdoors will be held nearby on the west end of the south pit area of the fairgrounds' half-mile race track.

The sessions, all taught by qualified and experienced instructors in their field, including SFR founder and chief, Gilbert Short, are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 to 5 Sunday, March 17 and 18.

Registration opens at 7:15 a.m. both days, and SFR training officer Matt Carlson will make some remarks at 7:45 both mornings. Scenic Road Restaurant, courtesy of Cordova Dragway, is providing a free, on-site hot lunch to participants both days.

Anyone -- including oval track and drag racing promoters -- who is directly or indirectly involved in motorsports fire or rescue operations is urged to attend. Seven and a half hours of CEH's (continuing education hours) are available for the seminar.

The fee to participate in the seminar has been reduced to $40 this year in hopes of attracting even more participants, many of whom are volunteers. Proper protective equipment -- including bunker gear, goggles and gloves -- is required for those participating in hands-on activities.

Anyone interested in attending the conference may sign up by contacting Karri Coyne, SFR secretary and training coordinator, by e-mail at speedwayfirerescue@mchsi.com  or by leaving a message at (563) 370-6446. Registrations also will be accepted at the door on the days of the conference.

Questions from potential participants should be directed to Coyne.

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WELCOME TO THE ANNUAL MOTORSPORTS CONFERENCE
PROVIDED BY SPEEDWAY FIRE RESCUE (SFR)

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY FAIRGROUNDS
DAVENPORT, IOWA
MARCH 17-18, 2007

Saturday, March 17, 2007:


7:15 ­ 7:45 -- Registration and Sign-in -- Karri Coyne, Mary Cormier 7:45 ­ 8 -- Welcome and Introductions -- Matt Carlson 8-9 -- Leadership in the Fire Service -- John Swan 9-10 -- Race Car Design -- Kevin Feller 10-10:15 -- 15-minute break 10:15-11 -- EMS for Firefighters -- Johanne Hines 11-12 -- Health and Safety Awareness -- Russell Ferling 12-1 -- Lunch provided by Cordova Dragway, Scenic Road Restaurant 1-2:30 -- Helicopter and Ambulance Demonstration -- Chuck Gipson 2:30-2:45 -- 15-minute break 2:45-3:30 -- Crisis Communications -- Phil Roberts 3:30-4:30 -- Dragster Orientation -- Sean Genung

There will be a short 5-minute break in between speakers to adjust for the microphone and video set up.

Sunday, March 18, 2007:

7:15-7:45 -- Sign-in and Re-Registration -- Karri Coyne, Mary Cormier
7:45-8 -- Welcome Back -- Matt Carlson
8-9 -- Emergency Vehicle Operations (EVOP) -- Don Adams
9-10:15 -- Outside for EVOP -- Don Adams, Gilbert Short
10:15 -- Gear-Up Time for outside training -- Everyone
12-1 -- Lunch provided by Cordova Dragway, Scenic Road Restaurant 1-5 -- Continue outside training for everyone the remainder of the day