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Why is Fire fighter1 & 2 Important (Volunteer department)
If you have been in FF1 or 2 and pass do you think it is Important for others on your department to do the same?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jerry Lease on
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When I first started as a FF in a VERY small rural dist, training was completly non existent. I still loved it and did it. Looking back at all the firefighting training I have had now.... well I am just glad I am still here. This site has firefighters from both paid and non-paid, "Professional" and "Volunteer." This very issue (training) is something the "Professional" Paid guys use against "Vollies." Training is not really an option. If I were in a department that had a mutual aid agreement with a Vollie dept., and I knew they did not train or did not REQUIRE at least FF1, I have serious doubts about thier ability to be of any real help to me. I would request the next closest TRAINED Dept. When I was a vollie it was all about a warm body to fill a position, training was optional (who was going to teach us?). Now this is my job ( I still can't believe they pay me for this), training is a requirement. ALL firefighters who repond to incidents need basic training on what is required of them. FF1 is the Basics. To me this is the difference between "Professional" and non. If you are a Volunteer FF and have FF1 you are a brother or sister, if not get the training and then you can join the club. I fully realize as indicated above not all departments offer training or the training recieved is from folks who don't know themselves. We can help by lifting each other up, and becoming proficient ourselves. Don't give the "Professionals" a reason to scorn you.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin C.T.V.F.C on
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Joe I think you are right on the money! I agree that "we are starting to get command officers that are based in the 21st century" I have required all my officer to get FF1 (Min) this year. Not only is it good for the FF but for the company as well Some of the money we receive is based on our training. Not only that but the saying lead by example.... if the officers can do it it may push some of the FF to get to the same level.
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Permalink Reply by Firegal77 on
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Not all departments can afford the training..this is the harsh reality. On my last department i was offered a deal and took it..I had to pay for half of my class. Not everyone is willing to do that. I did, and am glad for it(except I moved states and they are trying to make me take it again-another story) After taking the course, there was such a new perspective, and a lot of information that simply isnt available from others who have not learned or are not proficient. I think it needs to be made more available through grants or partnership with larger FDs. I would say a must do for all at the minimum. Now the only issue is making it available for all the departments. And yes, I would agree that it would be really handy if the "united States" would be just that.."united", in other words..state to state would hold the same standards, the same tests, and the same instructional materials.
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Permalink Reply by Bernard Hendrick on
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Firefighter lvl 1 and 2 are the basic fundamental. A must have if u want to understand what ur doing and how to do it safely. Our dept. and state code states that a basic fireman in order to get on the truck must have firefighter 1, CPR, Auto Ex, that just for state code though. My dept also requires Haz-Mat awareness lvl. Everyone entering the fire service should have the Basics and even the older guys and gals should retrain in the lvls. Firefighter 1 and 2 has constantly changes and upgrades to the changing world.
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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on
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Remember that you train for YOU.
It would definitely be better for your department if all firefighters were to pass FF I and II, but if not, then at least you will have a much better understanding of fire behavior, building construction, hydraulics, ladders, ropes and knots, ventilation, proper donning/doffing and maintenance of SCBAs, water application, scene hazards, etc.
Your desire to train might very well be the catalyst for others to do likewise.
You could very well be the only not bugging out if things get a little hairy.
Absent of a FFI or FF II requirement, at the very least, there should be minimum training requirements, regardless.
TCSS.
Art
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Permalink Reply by turk182 on
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I agree that everyone should at the least be FFI I have twenty years in the service and had some new people come in and they got their essentials and the chief told then thats all they have to do he also would not sign off on the paper work so i did not get mine either so i pushed for bylaws changes and got them in place.and i pushed them and encouraged them to take the next step. but they said if no one else has it then why should they so i told them that i would put my money where my mouth was and would go threw it with them. I talks at least five to take it but the chief worked on them until it was just me and one of the female fire fighters that decided to take it anyway. I tried to tell them that complacency is what gets firefighters hurt or killed the more training we get the safer we can be if we all know the same tatics and procedures we work more efficent and safer to get the job done and get home to our families.
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Permalink Reply by Tiger Schmittendorf on
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This is a "non-question" as far as I'm concerned.
Consider the alternative: Death due to a lack of training.
The volunteer service has proven itself in its inability to police itself, especially when it comes to training. That's why OSHA gets involved - to save lives.
Standardized training, supplemented by in-house, remedial and refresher training is critical.
There are no training requirements - only training needs. The training we need to do our jobs and keep ourselves and our customers alive.
We run a large training operation in our county, delivering (15) Firefighter 1 courses a year.
We're bringing in 500-600 new volunteers each year, so I guess the argument that training "requirements" are killing the volunteer fire service don't work here.
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To see how I really feel on the subject, visit my blog at:
http://www.firefighternation.com/profiles/blog/show?id=889755:BlogP...
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When you consider all of the wasted time in a day, month and year, I find it hard to believe that people can't "find" time to train.
What happens is that, for some strange and quirky reason, a "wannabee" gets on a department, wants to hang with the other firefighters, wants to wear the cool shirts, wants to stand by the truck so his bud can take his picture for his myspace and then, when he finds out that it actually takes a commitment of time and effort, then all of a sudden, he's "too busy". He's got too much going on. Plate's full.
Fast reverse to the "veterans". They are to the point where they will finish their cup of coffee, pee, look for their keys and then respond to the station for a call. They never hit the rig anymore, new guys don't know them because they never see them at meetings, training or department functions and when they do show up, they stand around and tell stories of the good ole days. And that's not all bad, because we need to stay in touch with the golden, olden days, but we also have to run a volunteer fire department with a sense of duty that will deliver a superior product to the customer and keep everyone safe. And that takes commitment and training.
I saw the term "part time firefighter" used at another website. When I asked the poster to define it, he wouldn't, but I knew what he was insinuating. And that ticks me off.
Anyone in the business of firefighting that thinks you somehow miraculously turn into GI Joe-Firefighter when you put on the gear is going to find Murphy or Murphy is gonna find you. If you don't dedicate yourself to learning life saving skills, then the outcome could be a deadly one.
I'll get off my soapbox now and return you to your regularly, scheduled broadcast.
TCSS.
Art
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Permalink Reply by Springwater#7 on
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I think that it depends on your state (or county) & their regs. It also depends on your fire departments regulations. The FF1 program that is offered here is fire knowledge along with air pack/interior training. FF2 is an advanced level of FF1.
In my area you have to have take a "Scene Support" class in order to be active. It happens to be that in our department you need to take the class within a year of being a member. It includes fire knowledge, pack changes, and exterior work.
This is the minimum amount of training required for our agency. (Obviously along with OSHA & other state requirements)
Do I think that FF1 & FF2 should be required? Well it depends. In our organization it is purely volunteer; therefore we take anyone we can get! If someone is willing to do exterior work but not interior then I think it is okay! We have a small population & our call volume is pretty slim.
So to answer your question...it depends on the type of agency you are involved in, your population, & type of services you provide to the community!
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Permalink Reply by Havok on
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I think so, it allows everyone to be on the same page when it comes to procedures...
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Permalink Reply by Steve Davis on
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Absolutely a must for training. What I would like to see though is, or at least in my neck of the woods is to have both classes molded in to one class. Right now, Firefighter 1 and 2 are two seperate classes. New people don't have to jump right in to firefighter 2 after finishing firefighter 1. Some don't take 2 for several years after finishing 1, which I feel is a mistake.
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