How Firefighter Training Works

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Emergency services work together to protect the communities they serve. Becoming a firefighter takes more than agile speed and physical strength. Firefighters realize their job is dangerous and must develop several survival skills, some of which improve cognitive resilience and adaptability. Under a controlled setting, fire training takes place in two stages.

Live Fire Training

During an emergency, firefighters must think critically and assess their environment. They cannot afford to waste time and must act quickly, since many lives are at stake. To create a realistic simulation, burn buildings are constructed and later acquired by the fire department for the basic purpose of preparing students. Sometimes firefighters have to access high-rise apartment buildings to save trapped occupants, so training may also include rope rescue classes. Trainees wear specific protective gear that minimize the risk of fatal injury, including a standard coat and lumbar pants. During training and after, they also wear a self-contained breathing apparatus over the face, which protects them from toxic pollutants. They are also taught to use truck equipment properly.

Classroom Education

Firefighters typically train in an academy. Several fire departments offer apprenticeships that cover tuition for students who elect to get a fire science degree. Applicants who pursue a degree are much more likely to develop their passion into a career, elevating their chances over thousands of others who apply each year. Some departments may also offer weekly physical training sessions for firefighters, helping them strengthen their core and increasing cardiovascular health. It’s important for firefighters to improve their stamina before losing the ability to improve quickly, which could increase stress levels.

Firefighter training is an arduous but worthwhile process for students. Both classroom and hands-on experience make up training for firefighters, but their ability to improve physical fitness and willingness to remain calm during an emergency are indispensable whenever an emergency arises.