Firefighter training is highly intensive and involves drills, simulations and classroom instruction. The courses teach prospective firefighters put out a fire, protect civilians in emergency situations and to work under extremely stressful conditions. Training typically takes place in a fire academy run by the local fire department.
Features
Most training takes place in a classroom and begins early in the morning. Prospective firefighters may spend a portion of the day learning from lectures and presentations, and the rest of the day completing physical challenges that test endurance and build stamina. These physical tests vary by training location, but typically involve rescue drills, operating high ladders, dragging heavy water hoses, jogging and racing across various types of terrain and completing obstacle courses.
Courses
Some of the critical modules that make up the firefighter training program include: safety, fundamentals, live fire training, operations-level hazardous materials training, wild-land firefighting, basic command, skill maintenance, training awareness and fire department protocols and procedures.
Effects
Prospective firefighters learn to tie safety knots, respond to emergencies, understand radio codes and procedures, as well as routine traffic and evacuation signal knowledge, emergency operations and communications procedures. They also learn to evaluate hazardous areas, as well as search-and-rescue protocol and rescue people with or without respiratory protection. They are also taught to attack a fire scene, connect a fire department pumper to a water supply, clean and check fire equipment and review fire truck protocol and procedures.
Requirements
Before a firefighter can serve on active duty, he must complete at least 600 hours in training in under 14 weeks. Admission requirements vary, but most programs require the person to be at least 18 years of age, have a clean criminal record, corrected 20/20 vision and a high school diploma or equivalent. These will be required to take the three examinations to enter the training program: a written test to assess basic verbal and communication skills, a Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) to assess physical fitness and an aptitude test to assess general math, logic and reasoning skills.
Considerations
Firefighters must be prepared to work in a high-stress environment and within a moment's notice. Those who are in training and in active duty must stay in peak physical condition to handle the stresses of the job and undertake several physically challenging activities. Firefighters must learn think clearly and solve problems. Firefighters must learn exercise sound judgment under pressure and be resourceful, and must acquire nonverbal communication skills.
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