DeButts Honored for Fire Department Training Guide

AVALON — Avalon Borough Council formally recognized longtime Avalon employee Harry DeButts for earning a major award from the Atlantic County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund.
According to a release, DeButts developed a training guide for the Avalon Volunteer Fire Department that educates firefighters on the proper use and handling of vital firefighting apparatus. DeButts used his military experience to pattern the training guide after similar guides that are used to train soldiers.
The new training guide uses plenty of graphics and assists new firefighters when they begin to train on the apparatus. The process includes actual education on what the equipment is used for, and explains every specific part of the equipment.
A manual detailing the operations of the fireboat used by the Avalon Volunteer Fire Department was the first step; the three-year project will eventually include all of the equipment used by the fire department.
“Everyone at the Avalon Volunteer Fire Department deeply appreciates the training guide developed by Harry,” said Avalon Fire Chief Ed Dean. “Harry volunteered to put this guide together on his own time, and eventually both novice and veteran firefighters will be expected to read each chapter of the guide, and pass a test at the end of each chapter.”
“The biggest value of the guide is to standardize the way everyone trains on our apparatus,” Dean continued. “The guide shows everyone how the fire department expects every-one to use every piece of equipment. Harry’s guide is very easy to understand, and graphically intense for better retention.”
The Atlantic County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund had 17 applications for the awards, and four were granted, including the one earned by DeButts.
DeButts currently serves the Borough in the Office of Emergency Management, and is a beach and dune specialist. DeButts volunteers as a safety officer for the Avalon Volunteer Fire Department as well.