Firefighting Training

Firefighting training is intense. The firefighter has to have physical strength, endurance, intelligence and mental stamina to deal with the everyday challenges faced in the field. Candidates in most large cities undergo psychological testing before being allowed to apply for training. In most schools found in community colleges, this testing may or may not occur. In the school, the candidates will learn about firefighting history, techniques, tools and more. They will learn about different materials that could be encountered in a fire. Fire science is a large part of the classroom training. For example, the students will learn:

•  Flash points of different materials. This is the temperature that a material will catch on fire.
•  The different materials used in firefighting. Using the wrong material could result in a worse fire, an explosion or simply not extinguishing the flames.
• A limited amount of arson training. The firefighter will learn how to “read” a fire to find the start point. This helps to identify electrical fires, trash can fires and more. The firefighter will learn when and why to call for formal arson investigators.
• Emergency medial technician training could be part of the curriculum. If not offered by the school, the department that hires the firefighter could require it. This allows each firefighter to be far more versatile in the field.
• Class members will learn to read blueprints for buildings. The firefighter will be able to direct personnel inside the building for rescue or fighting a fire. He or she will also be able to identify evacuation routes for those inside.
• How to use the breathing apparatus. The firefighter must be able to control his or her breathing in order to maximize the air inside the tank. He or she will learn how to change the air tank, care for and use the mask, recharge the tank and care for the harness and connections. His or her life may depend on it.
• Physical education is also part of the training. Firefighting is extremely physical. Rescuing people from a house, car other structures requires strength and stamina.
• Rescue training is also part of firefighting. Extricating someone from a crushed car is far different than rescuing someone from a burning house. Swift water rescue, high rise rescue and mountain rescue are extremely specialized and may or may not be encountered in a particular department. The firefighter should learn about each type in order to maximize the potential for being hired. Further training will be given at the person’s department.
• Learning how to properly fill out paperwork is also part of firefighting. Each form must be filled out with accurate information. Some information is coded for a national database. Those studying fire statistics can help to create better building structures, set insurance rates and more. If a particular rise in a type of fire is noticed in an area, steps can be taken to introduce public education or begin an investigation. For example, a rise in fires started by candles would call for public education messages from the fire department. A rise in structure fires with a particular ignition type might warrant an arson investigation.

Upon graduation, the student will join his or her department or apply to different departments for a career in firefighting.

All Firefighter

Firefighters train rigorously to learn firefighting, handling equipment and technical information. Different chemicals are used to fight various types of fires such as electrical, chemical, grease, fuels and more. Rescue training teaches the firefighter to enter buildings on fire, after an earthquake or other disaster, enter cars or even to enter raging floodwaters. Other specific types of training are geared towards the city the station is located in. Cities with high rise buildings, rural areas, mountain areas and seaside areas are only a few that require specialized rescue training. 

In addition to firefighting, a paramedic certification may also be offered or required. This provides a larger workforce for an EMS system. It also allows personnel rotation to prevent burnout due to on-the-job stress. Some may find paramedicine more rewarding than firefighting. On a rescue or fire scene, care of an injured person can begin sooner if members of the crew have advanced training. 

Being both a firefighter and a paramedic has served me well over the years. I can respond from the station in an ambulance or on one of the fire trucks. I have the ability to instantly adapt from one task to another should the situation demand it. As such, I am a valuable asset to my community. If the ambulance in out on a call, I can respond on a fire truck to an accident or medical call. 

During Fire Prevention Month, going to schools and answering children’s questions is something that makes the job worthwhile. Many children ask how anyone can be both a firefighter and a paramedic. I am often asked if I fight a fire first or treat patients. I explain that I do whatever is needed at the time. Teaching children about fire safety is one of the more pleasant duties of the job. 

Community education is equally important. My local system offers fire extinguisher training, first aid and CPR classes to members of the community. This helps to empower the public to provide aid in an emergency. First aid providers often provide the care that makes the difference between life and death. 
Some of the most fun at the station is the physical training. Free weights, basketball, volleyball and other sports are played for physical fitness. Members of the crew cook dinner for the entire station. On special occasions, the barbeque grill is fired up and everyone celebrates something. One person may be celebrating a birthday, paying a bill, washing the car or other momentous occasion. It is not unusual for one person to bring a DVD from home or to rent one for the station to watch. This builds camaraderie in the station. We are a tight knit team. 

No matter what the day or night brings, we are always there for each other. There are times in which tempers flare and squabbles break out. These are quickly addressed and everyone gets back to work. We eat, sleep and play at the station; it becomes a second home. Firefighting is not just a career; it is joining a family.