Proper training is an important part of the requirements for EVT qualification. Technicians who want to establish, expand or maintain their qualifications need to have documented training — pump training to work on pumps, aerial training to work on aerials, shop management training to manage maintenance shops.

Fortunately there are many opportunities for technicians to obtain the training they need. Some classes are offered at annual conferences and academies held throughout the nation, and others are offered by various manufacturers. Most are attractively priced to give the best training value for your budget.

Here are the highlights of a few of the EVT training events scheduled in 2007:

Southwest EVT Conference
Feb. 26-March 2, Fort Worth, Texas

Kick off the year with the Southwest EVT Conference. This popular event is co-sponsored by the Texas Association of EVT and the Oklahoma Association of EVT. Classes are held at the Tarrant County College Fire Service Training Center, a facility so large that it has its own fire station and apparatus, as well as enough burn buildings to look like a small town. This year's event is expected to offer up to 30 classes covering all aspects of emergency vehicle maintenance. A special EVTCC test site has been arranged for those who pre-register.

For more information, contact Mark Brochtrup of the Texas Association of EVT at 972-462-5175 or go to www.taevt.org.

California Fire Mechanics Academy
April 2-6, Sacramento, Calif.

This annual training event for fire mechanics and emergency vehicle technicians is one of the oldest and largest in the country. It features a wide variety of classes, including several covering various aspects of maintenance shop management. Many of the classes are designed to help qualify students for California EVT certifications, which are different from EVTCC certifications. A vendor show and special EVTCC test session are scheduled during the week.

For more information, go to the California Fire Mechanics Academy Web site at www.cafiremech.com.

National EVT Training Academy
May 14-18, Daytona Beach, Fla.

Sunny Florida is home to this week-long academy at the Advanced Technology Center in Daytona Beach. Classes include maintenance training for just about every component on an apparatus, plus review classes for those who want to prepare for the fire, ambulance, ARFF, law enforcement and shop management EVTCC tests. This year's academy offers several new classes, including comprehensive instruction on Meritor air systems and antilock brakes. A banquet dinner, open maintenance discussion, barbecue and buyer's show are all part of the event. A special EVTCC test site has been arranged for those who pre-register.

For more information go to the Florida Association of EVT Web site at www.faevt.org.

Spartan Fire Truck Training Conference
Aug. 5-9, Lansing, Mich.

Spartan pulls out all the stops to host an outstanding training event for apparatus service personnel at all levels. This year's conference will offer more than 35 classes on subjects ranging from engines and electrical systems to pumps and pressure governors. Several of the classes are aimed at helping students prepare for the EVTCC tests, which will be available to those who pre-register. Classes start Sunday afternoon and go through Thursday. Many of the classes are offered twice to let students arrange their schedules.

For more information, go to the Spartan Chassis Web site at www.spartanchassis.com/ft/ftevents.asp.

In addition to these training events, several manufacturers offer classes throughout the year. E-ONE and Pierce regularly offer instruction on pumps, electrical systems, aerials and other components relating to their apparatus. They also offer review classes for technicians wishing to prepare for EVTCC tests. Darley, Hale and Waterous offer classes on their respective pumps and related components. Other manufacturers and dealers offer classes on air systems, engines and automatic transmissions.