I went wildland firefighting last season, which was the summer of 2009. To become a wildland firefighter I had to take a week long class related to fire science and had to pass what they call the pack test. This pack test consists of putting on a fifty pound vest that is filled with sand and walk three miles in forty five minutes. I know you’re thinking three miles in forty five minutes “no problem”. Let me be the first to tell you not everyone makes it in 45 minutes. Believe me that fifty pounds gets heavier as you sweat. Half way through the test my legs were like jelly, I felt like I couldn’t take another step, that fifty pound vest turned into 150 pounds. When I made it to the finish line my legs were on fire, I felt like throwing up, I was completely exhausted, but at the same time I had a renewed sense of accomplishment. It takes a very mentally strong and motivated individual to be a wildland firefighter. Wildland firefighters keep wild fires from spreading to residential areas, commercial areas, wildlife reserves, and try to keep fire from harming more of the forest through fire suppression. Wildland firefighters are significant to United States’ governed forests, Oregon’s forests, and our economy.…
“EMS workers are subject to frequent exposure to stressful situations, such as abuse cases, assaults, motor vehicle crashes, deaths, etc. All of this places providers, who otherwise have no training on how to personally deal with emotional…
During my time at Engine 2 I became more familiar with my job by working under and being mentored by my officer. I was taught how to be a good firefighter as well as being a good Acting Lieutenant. I also learned what it takes to be part of a team. As a result of being a new recruit and not getting adequate training, Additionally, I learned to be a good leader you must be a good teacher.…
As a little girl, I have always wanted to walk in my father’s footsteps. He is a volunteer firefighter. I knew one day I would get the chance to be just like him. I am now a volunteer firefighter, and have been for about 2 years now.…
Publicorganisation | Fire brigades | Firefighters are rescuers extensively trained in firefighting, primarily to extinguish hazardous fires that threaten property and civilian or natural populations and to rescue people from dangerous situations, such as collapsed or burning buildings. |…
Firefighter PPE has come a long way since the first days of the volunteer firefighter stations. Most firefighters back then responded to fires in whatever they happened to be wearing at the time whether it be regular clothes or old uniforms from their time in the military. Due to the lack of protection most structures often burned to the ground because firefighters fought the fire from outside and interior operations were simply not possible. With the formation of the NFPA, National Fire Codes provided standards to protect firefighters such as “NFPA 1971 Protective Ensemble for Structural Fire Fighting.” As firefighting technology improved, strategies and tactics became more aggressive. With full head to toe PPE, firefighters can now safely respond to numerous types of emergencies and efficiently do their job.…
When the average person thinks of being a firefighter, they usually imagine cute Dalmatian dogs, loud sirens, heavy clothes, huge water hoses, poles to slide down, and giant ladders. Firefighting is a more complex job than people think because it has many characteristics that we do not think of. Aspects such as the various types of technology used, the different tactics you see on a day to day basis, the physical abilities one must be capable of, and the types of equipment used. It takes both physical and mental strength to get through a day of saving lives and fighting fires. This paper discusses the topics that examine why there is more to being a fireman than just loud sirens and huge…
Training I feel is very lacking in the fire service today. I had more of what I call fire suppression training in my rookie school than I have had in the last seven years that I have been a firefighter. Now I’m not saying its wrong and that we should do away with it but we do a lot of life safety education today and not any fire suppression training. We do a lot of “table top” exercises and not a lot of actual “live burn” training. Our area is currently on water restrictions. So when citizens can’t water their lawns or wash their cars we can’t flow water and have “live burn” exercises. We don’t want to hear the citizens complain about us “wasting” water while they have a dirty car and their shrubs are dying.…
Fire training is also provided so that I know what to do in the event of a fire, as well as regular alarm testing and evacuation procedures being practiced. I know where the fire assembly point is and who the fire warden is, therefore I know how to follow correct procedures, and report anything I feel is a danger and a fire risk.…
“There are four primary responsibilities and duties - putting out fires, rescuing and caring for the sick and injured, working to prevent future fires, and investigating the sources of fires, especially in the case of potential arson” (Sokanu-What does a firefighter…
03 Mar. 2017), also the job is “expected to grow five point three percent between two thousand- four and two thousand-fourteen” ("Firefighter." The World's Best Career Test - Sokanu. 03 Mar. 2017). Also, the “United States will need one hundred twelve thousand- three hundred firefighters over the next ten years” ("Firefighter." The World's Best Career Test - Sokanu. 03 Mar. 2017). According to another site in South Carolina there are only “five thousand- four hundred forty-four employed firefighters in this state”(“Firefighters”, SCOIS (S.C. Occupational Information System).…
My RCS Capstone Experience challenged me by forcing me to speak infront of a large group of people, who have had more years of experience than I have. Also a physical challenge for I had to develope my upper body strength for the training I had to endure. Both of these things pushed me out of my confort zone, but in the long run I know they will be valuable skills for the future. I have been a volunteer at Jacobs Creek Fire Department for three years, but even with these years there is still always room for improvement. This topic is important to me because the people in my station are like family to me. I know even on my worst of days that they will always have your back. In addition being in the fire department brought me and my dad closer,…
. A clear communication keeps firefighters feeling as though they are important to the organization and the service's mission…
“The end of law is not to abolish or restrain,but to preserve and enlarge freedom. For in all the states of created beings capable of law, where there is no law, there is no freedom.” -John Locke. What does it mean to serve? To provide a service for others, fully expecting nothing in return. This is what I have been shown in my life. For some I have known, this means even laying down their lives for something they fully believed was greater than themselves. This is the highest example of servanthood.…
In addition to the physical dangers officers must deal with they also must always be ready for the worse. This can place a significant amount of physical and mental stress on the officer. They must be aware of their environment at all times. Officers need to remain vigilant and prepared for any situation that develops. Rarely does an officer have time to fully prepare for the emergency call for service. They have to rely on their training and make split second decisions based on an ever changing set of circumstances.…