The department offers numerous training courses, some of these courses are mandatory and others are optional.  The department conducts regular fire training every Tuesday night, and additional training may take place on other weeknights and weekends.  The recruit courses that are mandatory in order to function as firefighters are:

Basic Firefighter - Included in this program are the fundamentals of firefighting, fire behavior, safety, protective clothing, self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), hose and water supply, fire streams and nozzles, fire extinguishers, ropes and knots, ladders, forcible entry, ventilation, structural rescue, salvage and overhaul, Incident command system and communications, wildland fires, hazardous materials awareness, infection control and familiarization with department Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s).  This entire program consists of approximately 68 hours of training.

Upon completion of the basic firefighting course, members are assigned to the fire station that is closest to their place of residence.

Advanced Firefighter - This course covers subject similar to the basic course, however at a more advanced technical level in order to sharpen your skills in firefighting.  Included are Strategy and Tactics, Incident Command Level II and Building Construction

Upon completion of the advanced class all personnel receive a rate of pay increase.  The rate of pay is for training and emergency responses.  Both the basic and advanced programs are credited toward the state of Alaska Firefighter I certification.  This entire program consists of approximately 68 hours of training.

The next three steps of the recruit training program consist of the following:

·  Completion of Firefighter I – 40 hours

·  State of Alaska Firefighter II – 56 hours

·  Rescue Technician – 48 hours

There are several optional programs including the following:

·  Engineer Training Program – 56 hours

·  Numerous college level course towards an AAS in Fire Science

·  Specialized Wildland Courses

·  Incident Command Courses

The normal career path for members of the department start at the basic Firefighter to Advanced Firefighter to State Firefighter I to Rescue Technician to Apparatus Engineer, from there other levels can be attained such as State Certified Fire Instructor, Rescue Technician II, Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, Senior Staff.

As a member of the Central Mat-Su Fire Department, firefighters are expected to attend Tuesday night training drills, if for some reason, personal or professional; they are unable to attend, that they are expected to notify their station officers .  Training is an important requirement and their attendance is expected with a minimum 50%.