subject: A Crash Course on Fire Safety Training [print this page] A Crash Course on Fire Safety Training A Crash Course on Fire Safety Training
You can do all sorts of things to make your home or workplace safe from fires as much as possible. Identifying and reducing your risk to fire are all good. However, undergoing fire safety training is still the best way to go.
Fire training should be taken seriously and some may find it too much to handle. This involves both academic study and practical learning. Fire safety training is also a commitment on the part of the student. You will be dealing with a lot of stress while on duty.
Several community colleges offer fire training. Some of the larger fire stations also conduct their own classes. Universities also have fire science degrees in their list of programs. Students are often required to attend classes for up to eight hours a day. Training in the field is also necessary. Upon completion, the student must pass a written and physical exam.
Keep in mind though that not all applicants are accepted. Fire prevention is a serious business after all. Due to the inherent danger of firefighting, applicants must pass a rigorous physical exam. They must also pass an extensive background check before moving on. Any questionable history might be enough ground for disqualification. Also, requirements may vary for different states.
Once you pass, expect a lot of things to learn. Firefighting is not all about fire prevention. To be truly effective, a firefighter must also know search and rescue, equipment handling, forced entries and many more. As you can imagine, all this requires substantial physical strength and a keen mind.
People often get hurt during fires. For this reason, some firefighters also receive basic medical training such as first aid. Some may even be certified as emergency medical technicians.
You may find that fire safety training varies from each locality. A fire department in an industrial area respond to different emergencies than one located in the inner city. Different equipment and methods are required for each possible scenario. For example, chemical fires need special foam to be extinguished. Hazardous materials may also come into play and that requires additional training.
A fire may start anytime so firefighters have to respond as quickly and efficiently as they can. Fire training strives to replicate this scenario so expect a lot of exhaustion from this demanding profession.
Simple fire training courses are also available for the general public. This is an excellent way to teach fire safety to your family or office staff. Expect to learn the proper operation of basic firefighting equipment such as fire extinguishers and built-in fire hoses in the building. Of course these are all aimed at tackling small fires.
Fire training affords you a first line of defense in fire prevention. The knowledge you acquire can prove invaluable and may someday save lives. Basic classes are available to the public for added safety. However, you can choose to be a dedicated firefighter. You can expect a rewarding career with excellent benefits and job security and respect and admiration from other people.
