What is Involved in Firefighter Training?
The need for firefighters and other types of emergency personnel are essential for the safety and security of any community. Firefighters are called upon in a wide variety of situations, including everything from fires to traffic collisions and industrial accidents. These individuals put their lives on the line to help ensure the safety of others. This calling means that firefighters will need to undergo a rigorous training schedule in order to prepare them for the many emergency situations to which they will respond.
The early stages of most firefighter training will require the potential recruits to take part in a screening process that is designed to remove individuals who may not be fit for this type of service. These stages will include an interview process, medical screening, and fitness testing. Along with selecting the recruits that meet the standards of firefighting service, the applicants will most likely be made familiar with the rules and regulations of the given firehouse and taught about some of the basic protocols that are in place.
From there, the training will move on to teaching the recruits some of the basics of being a firefighter. This part of the training will include the teaching of ladder safety, instruction on how to perform CPR, proper hose laying techniques, and the proper use of a fire extinguisher. Training will also include some of the science behind firefighting, such as understanding the stages of fire and how to handle these different stages.
Recruits will then likely move on to learn about some of the specific equipment they will be using as firefighters. This will include the tools that are used in traffic accidents, HAZMAT gear and the breathing apparatus. In this part of training the recruits will only be shown the basics of the breathing apparatus, which will then progress on to more advanced training with that device.
After the firefighters in training have mastered the basic operation and safe use of the breathing apparatus, they will advance to using the device in a practical setting. The first stages of practical training with the breathing apparatus will be designed to get the individual used to wearing the device and using it for respiration. Once the recruits are comfortable with the breathing apparatus, they will be taught how to perform different rescue techniques while wearing the device.
The Basics of Firefighter Training
From there, the recruits will be called on to perform tasks that require them to apply some of the techniques they have been taught in the earlier stages of the training. This section of the course will include hose and ladder drills. They will also be tested on different incident response situations.
Upon completion of the drilling stages of the training, the recruits can then advance to certain types of specialized training. This could include HAZMAT response, pump operator training, advanced fire control techniques, door entry, and even information on how to recognize different hazard situations that may occur through the course of firefighting.
Fire Training in Different Areas
Depending on the firehouse and the region in which it is located, there may be some differences as to how the course is formatted and the level of knowledge and training that will be imparted to the firefighters-in-training. Most training programs will include testing at different stages of the course. The testing will help to ensure that the recruits understand the knowledge they have been given and that they are capable of applying the skills they have been taught in real world situations. Firefighter training usually takes a few weeks for the recruits to complete, but it is a process that will likely continue throughout the career of the individual.