Volunteer firefighter training includes basic firefighting methods, first aid, CPR, equipment operation, and communication skills. Self-contained breathing apparatus use is critical, with limits on oxygen consumption. Effective radio communication is also emphasized.
There are many aspects of volunteer firefighter training, from basic firefighting methods to first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). A portion of volunteer firefighter training also focuses on operating firefighting equipment, including fire trucks. One of the most important components of volunteer firefighter training involves the use and operation of self-contained breathing apparatus, commonly referred to as an air tank. It allows the firefighter to breathe after entering a burning building to search for survivors and fight the fire.
Many members of the world’s firefighting forces are volunteers. Basic firefighting methods and techniques should be taught to all volunteer firefighters to ensure that all responders at a fire scene are operating in exactly the same manner. Attaching fire hoses to hydrants, ventilating buildings, and implementing search patterns in an attempt to locate casualties are all procedures typically covered in volunteer firefighter training. Other basic techniques such as the correct way to hold the fire hose and proper settings for use on the fire hose nozzle are also covered in the training.
Firefighters are also trained in first aid and CPR, so that assistance can be provided not only to victims of a fire, but also to firefighters who may be injured while working at a fire site. Part of volunteer firefighter training is devoted to vehicle operation and procedures. The modern fire truck is loaded with valves, pumps and various components that can overwhelm an untrained member of the fire department. This lack of knowledge can lead to increased damage to a structure, as well as injury or death to other firefighters, relying on the designated individual’s knowledge to operate the truck safely and efficiently.
Understanding not only the operating methods of the self-contained breathing apparatus, but the limits of its use is a critical component of all volunteer firefighter training. Due to health concerns, we have suggested limits on how many tanks of oxygen a firefighter can consume within a certain period of time while on the scene of a fire. Failure to comply with this limit can be dangerous to a firefighter’s well-being.
It is also imperative that all firefighters be able to communicate effectively using the department’s radio equipment. Radio communication is a valuable resource for all firefighters, but especially for those entering a burning structure. As a component of volunteer firefighter training, this type of training can be the difference between walking out of a burning building alive and becoming a statistic.
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