Fire Department Training
Firefighters train every day. The ISO requires all members to train a minimum of 20 hours a month, not including multi-company training. This training can be in subjects such as:
- Building construction
- Hose lays
- High Rise
- Nutrition
- Fitness
- Strategy and Tactics
- Ventilation
- Driver’s Training
- Aerial Operations
- SOP’s
- Forcible Entry
- Natural Gas hazards
- Firefighter safety
- etc
Most departments have multi-company drills each day that will cover the subjects listed above, and Emergency Medical Service training. As a new firefighter you will usually be required to complete an academy. These can range from 4 to 8 weeks at most departments, to as long as 1 year. During this time new firefighters are trained in the basics of firefighting, and may have to complete their firefighter 1 and 2 certifications. Many times a Haz-Mat awareness and operations certificates are also completed during this period.
