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Should CPR be a Mandatory Part of Firefighter I?
To begin with i'd like to say i believe CPR should be mandatory training for firefighters. before anyone responds to this, I am trying to find out, if anything and what is being done to accomplish this or prevent it.
U.S. Fire Administration report on Firefighter Fatalities published July 2010, shows that in 2009 there were 90 Line of Duty Deaths (the lowest number since 1994). Of the LODDs of those 50 (55%) were classified as "Stress or Overexertion", of with 39 were determined to be cardiac arrest. 13 or those heart attacks were on scene fire duties, 6 on scene non-fire, 3 were in training, 3 were in route, 2 were returning, 5 were on other duty and 6 were after duty (under home town heroes act).
In contrast 7 LLODs were lost, trapped or in a collapse.
1. Why are the majority of Firefighters not trained to BCLS (Professional Rescue) level CPR & AED?
2. Why are DOH agencies not providing Firefighter Down Specific Protocols?
3. Why is there a lacking in EMT/CFR training directly for handling firefighter injuries?
In reading these questions you might think my department does this or be asking why we should.
The fact is that NY Firefighter 1 class is not teaching even basic CPR. In New York OFPC is not providing SFIs as CPR certified instructors for outreach classes, and there does not appear to be any contracted service to provide Red Cross or American Heart CPR for them. This leaves individual agencies to fend for themselves, and leaves a major gap in the safety movement.
Mayday, survival, FAST/RIT (rapid intervention teams), SCBA (mask) confidence, and even firefighter fitness and health all address the issues surrounding firefighter injury and fatalities. Yet, CPR is the first line of action in the largest area of firefighter deaths, cardiac events.
So the big question here really is shouldn't CPR be officially made part of Firefighter 1?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sparky3317 on
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In MA first responder which is one level under EMT-Basic is required by the state for all firefighters. In first responder you recieve your CPR AED certification.
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Permalink Reply by Matthew on
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In Alabama it is mandatory in a manner of speaking. Career Firefighter I, as well as the 160hr Volunteer Firefighter both have "First Responder" (FF1 must have either FR, or EMT-B prior to starting FF1) as a pre-requisite before a candidate can start any fire training, both of which have nights devoted to professional rescuer CPR. I believe that if a person is wanting to get into the fire service, there is some sort of desire to want to save lives, I don't know how CPR could not be included in this. CPR ain't rocket science, it is a relatively simple skill but it can have a profound impact on a patients situation..
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Permalink Reply by Karr Quintero on
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here in Cache OK, all FF'S are first responders and bls/aed certified, i thought all in the profession were?
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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
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In Oregon it is. NFPA Firefighter 1 in Oregon requires CPR & First Aid as part of the FF1 certification.
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Permalink Reply by Timothy D. Stone Jr on
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In Ga you must have CPR/AED before you start a Firefighter 1 class. To protect LIVES and you all know the rest
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Permalink Reply by Ron McRae on
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CPR is not addressed in MN FF1 or FF2. This is addressed either through First Responder training (required in most depts) or through in house training for the smaller Volunteer Depts. It is required I believe. With so much information in FF1 classes I think it would be a bit impractical to add it. When I went through it was hard enough trying to fit in all of the FF requirements in the short amount of time. I do agree that more attention needs to be brought to this issue.
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We dont go over it in FF1 in Ga. But you have to have it before you even can start the class.
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Permalink Reply by Anita King on
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In Virginia, CPR and basic first aide are a required part of Firefighter 1.
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Permalink Reply by John Karl Ambrusch, III on
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Yes, it should. Period.
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Permalink Reply by Forrest Post on
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I'm pretty sure in Ohio it's covered as well as Abe. Heck, here it's a required course to take in high school...all kids who take health (Which is MANDATORY to graduate) get certified since the teacher has the red cross come in for all classes that week.
I strongly agree ALL firefighters should AT LEAST be Cpr/Aed certified though.
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