Essential Skills for becoming a Firefighter
Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a firefighter? To become a full time career firefighter, there are certain tests you need to pass when you join theFire Academy. One of which is a physical with your doctor. Another is a psychological evaluation to be sure you can handle the stress of the situation. Some make you do skills tests. They see how quickly you can put on your all your protective gear; run a flight of stairs or climb a ladder, rescue a victim or any other number of things during a certain amount of time. You also have to pass several written exams on different aspects of fire science. After becoming a firefighter, it is good to have a wide array of skills and abilities.
There are many skills that are important to being a firefighter. Some have more importance than others, but all of them are needed at some point or another.
Physical strength and stamina are two of the more important ones. The protective gear that firefighters wear weighs approximately 30 pounds, add an SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) and you have another 30 pounds. On top of that, is the weight of different hand tools and other equipment you might need at any given time. Axes and halogen bars are essential on most emergency calls. They are relatively light weight compared to the hydraulic tools such as the cutters, spreaders, rams and the Jaws of Life which weigh up to 80 pounds. Another reason to be in good physical shape is to help victims. If they passed out in a fire due to the smoke you have to get them out of the burning building. There is also the chance you would have to help carry out one of your crew members if something would happen to them and they get hurt.
Courage is another one that ranks at the top of the list. You need courage to run into a burning building when everyone else is running out. You’re called to life and death situations on a regular basis. There are hazardous material situations, bomb threats, gas explosions, and building collapses to name a few. You even have to worry when standing on the side of the road at a vehicle accident with traffic driving around the scene.
People skills are also a great asset. You deal with the public when they are going through possibly the most stressful event in their life. It’s a big help to have empathy toward their experience and what they are going through.
Leadership ability is required if you desire to become a Line Officer. A Line Officer is one in a ranking in order of those in charge of the incidents. You typically start at the bottom and work your way up based upon training and experience. The Chief is the highest ranking officer and usually has final say over anything on the fire grounds.
Problem solving and quick thinking are also essential. There are never any two calls that are alike. Every situation is different and receives a different approach; whether it is to stabilize a vehicle after an accident, how to rescue someone who fell down an embankment, or finding a gas leak, it’s always a challenge. When someone is injured, their best chance of survival is within the “Golden Hour.” You have less than 60 minutes to remove the patient for the situation; have them properly packaged (back board, c-collar, splint, traction, etc.) and put into an ambulance or helicopter for transport to the hospital.
A sense of camaraderie is also helpful at the fire house. It is best if you get along with your fellow firefighters. Most stations or units refer to themselves as brothers. You have to trust one another because you rely on each other to do your jobs. It doesn’t matter if it’s the person on the hose nozzle and the back up or a two person team doing search and rescue. If something happens to one of you, it’s up to the other one to help you to safety.
Defensive driving skills also come in handy if you become a truck operator or engineer. Many companies require you to take EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operations Course) to learn how to drive the oversized engines, ladder trucks, and ambulances safely to emergency incidents. There is a lot of traffic and many of the drivers are occupied with things other than driving. They could be talking or texting on their cell phones, have the radio too loud to hear the warning sirens, or just plain panic when they see you coming in their rear view mirror. You must be prepared for the unexpected and be ready to act accordingly.
If you feel that you possess most of these skills and attributes, please apply with your local fire department. They are always looking for new recruits, whether it is a volunteer or career organization. They will fill you in on their requirements and point you in the right direction to get started.
