BETHEL – The second annual Western Maine Fire Attack School was attended by more than 100 students, vendors and instructors, according to Vicki Schmidt, training program coordinator for the school’s sponsor, the Frandford Mutual Aid Fire Training Association.

“We couldn’t have hoped for better weather, especially considering so many of our classes involve outdoor practical training sessions. The town of Bethel, the Bethel Fire Department, along with many regional businesses, all chipped in to help ensure our school’s success. We couldn’t do it without the support of the region,” she said.

A visitor to this year’s May 16 to 19 weekend school was Janet Wilmoth, editorial director for the international publication, Fire Chief Magazine. Wilmoth was a guest of the school and spent the weekend to learn more about fire training in rural areas.

Wilmoth, of Chicago, who’s family has a long-time and historical connection to the Chicago Fire Department, spent considerable time discussing training with students, instructors and local chiefs. Wilmoth had a tour of the mountain region as well as attending a chicken barbecue hosted by the Bethel Fire Department.

This year’s course selections included Maine’s first small plane crash response & rescue. The course was designed and taught by Gene Gote, a state fire instructor and a full-time firefighter for the city of Portland stationed at the Portland Jetport.

“We hope to take this new curriculum to a few other towns across the state” said Cote. “It’s valuable training and knowing what to do when the tone goes off for a small plane crash incident can save towns considerable time and resources if they know what to do in advance.”

Other courses included a command and control class, taught by Chief Roger Audette of Augusta. Students had a wildland power saws class, taught by rangers of the White Mountain National Forest, as well as classes on newer technologies, including compressed air foam systems and fighting fires involving hybrid vehicles. An interior wide area search class was taught by Chief Jeff Lemming of Xenia, Ohio.

Joe Cormier, a dispatcher for Oxford County and a structure firefighter from Paris Fire Department, said, “It was incredible training, and now we want to develop this training for our schools and large businesses.”

Plans are already under way for next year’s school. “We hope to return to the Bethel area in 2009 and have many students hoping we do,” said Dixfield Fire Chief Scott Dennett, who also serves as the school’s administrator. “Our training is open to all firefighters and we have a well rounded program. Our goal is to bring some of the best fire training to the western part of the state.”

Anyone interested can keep in touch with the school’s plans for 2009 by logging on to the home page of the Frandford Mutual Aid Fire Training Association at www.frandford.org. or by calling 966-2280.