Careers in Fire Departments
Joining a fire department can be a great career choice for many reasons. There are many benefits of careers in the fire department, including a sense of community and belonging. It is also an opportunity to give back to the community. The fire department has several opportunities for underrepresented groups to pursue a career in firefighting.
Careers
There are a variety of careers within fire departments. Some positions are in specialized areas, such as wildland fire suppression, which involves working on an engine, a hand crew, or a helitack. Engine crews, for example, drive to a fire site on unimproved roads and place the engine in the best location for the fire. Firefighters also educate the public about wildfire prevention.
Fire departments are often slow and have fewer emergencies than larger departments, which may be a better choice for those who want to work in a smaller department. However, smaller departments may not offer as many opportunities for advancement. If you’re looking for a fast-paced career, a small department may not be right for you.
Firefighters have a variety of responsibilities, and they work under the command of a fire chief. The fire chief is the chief spokesperson, so they are usually the first to contact the media after an incident. Firefighters must also be EMT certified, so they’re trained to stabilize victims when brought out of a burning structure.
Equipment-Fire Departments
Fire departments need the right equipment to save lives and fight fires. Properly maintained equipment can save firefighters time and money while helping them stay in shape. Fire departments are always ready for calls, so providing them with the right gear can help them be more effective. However, if your fire department isn’t equipped to clean the equipment, you can consider hiring a commercial laundry service.
Many fire departments also invest in specialized equipment for their firefighters. Firefighting equipment can be used in various situations and requires proper training. In a smaller community, firefighters often take on the role of EMTs, so you should ensure that your rig has emergency medical supplies. These supplies should include sanitizing wipes, bandages, seat belt cutters, shears, and airway management tools. Additionally, some departments may want to invest in traffic signals and disaster control kits. Lastly, trauma kits help treat gunshot wounds.
In addition to firefighting equipment, fire departments may also want to invest in other equipment, such as a physio ball or exercise ball. These tools help firefighters develop their core strength, balance, and stability, which are essential for a successful mission.
Training-Fire Departments
Firefighters can practice dealing with different situations, including toxic exposure, during fire training. They learn about chemicals, including hydrogen cyanide, which blocks body cells from accepting oxygen. Other useful fire training scenarios include burn wounds and chemical inhalation. Some firefighters may even try to assist someone in an unsafe situation, which is why training is so important.
You may want to learn more about firefighter training if you are a fire department. Training is crucial in fire departments and should begin at the station level. Firefighters and station leaders should participate in training and make suggestions for improvement. This will allow them to improve training and gain valuable insight from other fire service members.
Small fire departments often lack the support they need to develop and sustain a training program. Without the support of the department’s chief, training programs will fail. Recruit training is essential to a training program, but chiefs should also attend training regularly.