The Fire Department offers training to individuals and local businesses in a wide variety of subjects, but we are most commonly asked to assist a business with becoming CPR certified, either to meet regulations required for that company or merely for the benefit of its employees. Our CPR program covers different levels of certification so that we can best meet your specific needs or those of your organization.

All of the CPR classes that we offer follow the American Heart Association guidelines and upon completion, all participants will receive a certification card from the AHA stating that they have successfully completed an AHA course and are certified to that level of CPR for which they received training. The certification is good for two years from the date of completion of the training. The cost listed below each course includes the necessary workbook, the certification card and any printed materials for the class, as well as the cost for the instructor.

CPR classes can be set up within your facility or can be conducted at our fire station. Scheduling is flexible and courses can be set up for any time and on any day of the week. We do ask that in order to efficiently conduct a class, please provide at least four students per class and please allow us three weeks lead time to schedule the class. We can accommodate classes that involve up to 12 students maximum, but additional scheduling time will be required due to the necessity for additional instructors. All training material is brought along with the instructor, which includes mannequins, videos and handouts. Because the courses are mostly video based, we ask that you provide a TV and DVD player for the class. Dependent on the size of the class, we also request that you provide ample space for individuals to perform the necessary skills comfortably.

If you wish to register for a class, or if you have additional questions regarding the training available, please contact Lieutenant Doug Eikens at the North College Hill Fire Department at 521-3950 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Classes may be cancelled or rescheduled due to holidays or minimum attendance.

We look forward to assisting you in becoming CPR certified and meeting your training needs.

Classes Offered

Heartsaver CPR

This class is suitable for businesses/individuals that require or desire a certification in adult and child CPR only. This is a basic class aimed at training individuals who may be the first to arrive at an emergency. The class participant will be taught the process of CPR as well as how to assist a choking victim.

Cost: $35/person 

Average Length: 2 to 3 hours    

Class Size: 4-8 people

*Optional Infant CPR module is available also by request for groups of 4 or more

Heartsaver First Aid

This class is designed to teach the participant how to manage illness and injuries in the first few minutes until professional help arrives. The course content includes General First Aid Principles, Medical and Injury Emergencies. Medical topics covered include management of chest pain, strokes, diabetic reactions, seizures, breathing problems and fainting, while injury topics include bleeding control, head and spinal injuries, bone, muscle and joint injuries, and burns. Optional modules are available to include CPR, use of the AED and Environmental Emergencies, such as stings and bites, heat and cold emergencies and poisonings.

Cost: $35/person

Average Length: 3½ to 6 hours   

Class Size: 4-8 people

BLS for Healthcare Provider

This course is offered to businesses in the medical setting, such as doctor and dentist offices. This course is usually required by students in a medical based program through universities or colleges.  This course offers training in Adult, Child and Infant CPR as well as relief of choking for all ages. It also includes training in the use of the AED and is very in-depth. Participants will also be trained to use a wide variety of barrier devices, which are necessary in the clinical setting to minimize exposure and to comply with OSHA guidelines.

Cost: $40/person 

Average Length: 4½  hours   

Class Size: 4-8 people

Classes Available Upon Request

Healthcare Provider Renewal

This class is for individuals or businesses that have already attended the Healthcare Provider course and are looking to renew their certifications. The class serves as a review of the basic principles and also covers new changes in the recommended guidelines. Participants must have completed a Healthcare Provider course previously and have a current BLS for Healthcare Provider card.

*Note: This course is also available on-line in a self-study format at www.americanheart.org. Skills completion can be done through NCHFD for a cost of $10/person to process the certification cards.

Cost: $45/person w/book, $35w/o book   

Average Length: 2½  hours            

Class Size: 4-8 people

Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid

This is a new course developed by the AHA for those businesses and individuals who provide childcare and who may be responsible to administer first aid initially in a workplace setting until professional help arrives. Topics include the basic first aid management of illnesses and injuries, environmental emergencies, Adult and Child CPR, and use of the AED. Optional modules are available to include additional Pediatric First Aid Topics and Infant CPR.

Cost: $35/person   

Average Length: 6½ to 7½ hours

Class Size: 4-8 people

Residential fires account for the majority of all fire fatalities. Fires occurring in the residential setting can be either smoldering or flaming types of fires. They can also begin slow smoldering and then rapidly progress to flames.

Manufacturers of smoke detectors now offer a combination of improved technologies so that residential homeowners can be better protected from fire. However, many older technologies are still being sold which provide a delayed response in certain fires and are prone to false alarms.

Research has demonstrated that photoelectric smoke detectors are more effective at warning people of smoke from smoldering fires than ionization smoke detectors. With earlier warning, people have more time to escape a burning structure.

Photoelectric smoke detectors contain a light source and a light-sensitive electric cell. Smoke entering the detector deflects light onto the light-sensitive electric cell, triggering the alarm.  This type of smoke detector is also less susceptible to nuisance alarms. To prevent nuisance alarms, citizens often disable smoke detectors and place themselves, other residents in a home or building and fire fighters at great risk.

Ionization smoke detectors have a small amount of radioactive material, and establish a small electric current between two metal plates, which sound an alarm when disrupted by smoke entering the chamber. Studies have shown that this technology while useful in detecting flaming type fires has proven less sensitive to large particles given off during smoldering fires -- the kind of fires that occur at night when people are asleep.

It is the position of the North College Hill Fire Department that all homes be protected with a minimum of both photoelectric and ionization type smoke detectors with additional emphasis on placement of specific smoke detector technology in areas subject to false alarms. Since false alarms of smoke detectors can result in the removal of batteries, which in turn renders the smoke detector inoperative, it is our position that photoelectric technology placement be considered in areas commonly associated with false alarms (i.e. kitchens and bathroom areas).

The remaining portions of all homes should be protected, at a minimum, by smoke detectors utilizing both photoelectric and ionization technologies. This is best accomplished by utilizing a combination of smoke detectors. Since the type of fire cannot be predicted, utilization of both technologies within a single smoke detector provides maximum protection and the earliest possible warning for the occupants.

It is imperative for the above recommendations be followed in their entirety. When a choice must be made, photoelectric smoke detectors should be chosen over ionization smoke detectors.

Fire Prevention personnel enforce City of North College Hill Ordinances, the Ohio Fire Code, and the Ohio Basic Building Code as it relates to fire prevention. These codes provide the tools necessary to achieve a fire safe environment in regulated occupancies. Maintaining safe exits, emergency lighting, fire protection systems (such as alarm and sprinkler systems), and other general precautions against fire are addressed.

Company level personnel certified as Ohio Fire Safety Inspectors perform most of the inspections with supervisory personnel become involved when violations found are not resolved at the company level or in response to referrals or complaints.

In conjunction with the Building Department, the Fire Prevention Bureau reviews building plans for fire protection and life safety concerns. Fire Prevention personnel assist Building Department and Code Enforcement inspectors in performing inspections of new or modified structures.

The existing occupancy program incorporates annual company inspections of most commercial occupancies to ensure that they are in compliance with State adopted Building and Fire Codes.

The Ohio Fire Marshal's Office inspects high hazard commercial occupancies, buildings with a high life loss potential, and other target hazards.