Firefighting has evolved into a complex field that requires a person to be both intelligent and educated in order to do the job. In all probability, this trend will continue in the future. Perhaps it will grow to the extent that a high school diploma will not be satisfactory for competing at the entrance level; some fire departments may require some level of college coursework as a pre-requisite to employment.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS BOARD
One of the best indications of this trend is reflected by the National Professional Qualifications Board. This organization sets minimum standards for training and education for various fire service positions. The Professional Qualifications Board was first suggested in the early 1960s by Dr. Leonard Marks, a deputy chief in the San Jose Fire Dept. The board was established and authorized under the Joint Council of National Fire Service Organizations in the early 1970s.
The concept of a set of professional standards was soon introduced to the National Fire Protection Association. Currently the NFPA produces five different documents that spell out minimum standards. They are: NFPA 1001 (Firefighter), NFPA 1021 (Fire Officer), NFPA 1031 (Inspector/Investigator) and NFPA 1041 (Instructor). These standards are used by many fire departments across the country. Several states use the standards as a basis for their certification systems. A complete explanation of the Professional Qualifications system is available from the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (20 Main Street, Ashland, MA 01721).
HIGH SCHOOL
A well-rounded education at the high school level is just as important to your potential employment as is the desire to become a firefighter. Good intentions are not enough, for one to make good scores on the competitive examinations. There is no special recommended curriculum for individuals interested in this field. The best advice is to make sure that you develop basic skills in reading, writing, mathematics, and the core subjects. Then, if opportunity presents itself, you should take classes in manual skills, like auto mechanics or building construction. Lastly, if you are so inclined and have the skills, some time should be devoted to competitive sports.
You may now be saying to yourself, "If I could do all of that go on to college." Well, most entry level firefighters do just that. At the outset of employment, they are required to complete a recruit academy that is most unforgiving. Most of the material in a recruit academy is about freshman level college work. But a 'D' in recruit work means termination of employment.
EMPLOYMENT TO GAIN SKILLS
Another way of getting training that will help you towards fire service employment is through summer or part time employment. You would be well advised to seek employment that allows you to use your hands and tools-perhaps in a construction, mechanics, landscaping, or masonry job. All of these types of jobs build manual dexterity and strength. Additionally, they help you learn teamwork and how to work under supervision.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT TRAINING
There are a few opportunities to get some pre-employment training while still in high school. Some fire apartments participate in the Fire Explorer program, a career orientation program affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America.
Fire Exploring programs provide a unique set of circumstances for young people between the ages of 15 and 21 to learn about the duties and responsibilities of the firefighter. Explorers receive training in almost every aspect of the service. This often includes such things as fire control, fire prevention, heavy rescue, and emergency medical procedures. In some areas, the Fire Explorers actually respond on fire apparatus as observers of real emergencies.
In Orange County, California, several Explorer Posts annually sponsor a Fire Explorer Academy. In 1982, it was attended by over one hundred people from several different states. During that academy, these people had the opportunity to meet and work with the same departments that will be selecting new employees in the future. While the Exploring experience does not guarantee employment, it certainly points out the path to the door.
Another possible source of involvement available in some parts of the country is the Regional Occupational Programs. ROP sometimes provides career training in fire protection.
COLLEGE EDUCATION
It is highly unlikely that a student will enter a fire service career directly from high school. The average age of the entry level firefighter is 23. Most departments prefer candidates to be a bit more mature and to have developed a work ethic and some background in the real world.
Community Colleges
Many community colleges offer fire science courses, in subjects as Fire Prevention Practices, Tactics and Strategy, Hazardous Materials, and Hydraulics. There is a temptation to jump right into those types of classes if they are available. My advice is don't!
The best thing to do after graduation is to enter a community college and take all of the core classes. Take a few of the courses that will be required for graduation-English, social sciences, and physical sciences. Make an appointment with a counselor and talk about your goals and courses at the beginning of your upper level educational experience.
If you do take fire science courses, make sure that they are introductory classes. Spend some time talking to the fire science instructors, too. It's not uncommon to find the classes filled with a lot of in-service firefighters and a few students. This can create a problem because one group will affect the learning rate of the other.
The problem is not insurmountable, but it has to be recognized. It pays to spend the time to assess the fire science program before getting into it. A lot of potentially good candidates have been devastated by getting into classes that were over their heads. In some areas this problem does not exist. The larger fire science programs offer two different courses - pre-employment and post-employment.
The typical curriculum of a four semester fire science degree program might have core classes that look like this:
COURSE Units
Introduction to Fire Science 3
Physical Science for Fire Science 3
Fundamentals of Fire Prevention 3
Building Construction 3
Fire Protection Systems 3
Hazardous Materials 3
Public Fire Safety Education 3
In addition, the student would be given the option of completing electives:
COURSE Units
Fire Management 3
Fire Command 6
Fire Investigation 3
Instructor Training 6
Of course, a student would be expected to complete all of the other academic courses required for a two-year degree. In colleges with extensive fire science curriculums, there are also a variety of options ranging from Fire Administration to Fire Education degrees. Because of the differences in the electives one must evaluate each program separately.
Another aspect of pre-employment training that seems to be gaining in recognition is the idea of recruit training being conducted prior to being hired. This is often done in cooperation with a community college. Santa Ana College in California has been conducting such an academy for almost ten years now. These pre-employment academies have prerequisites and very stringent graduation requirements. They are an advantage to the local fire departments because the new firefighter does not have to be trained except in specific departmental practices. They are an advantage to the candidates because it gives them a saleable skill.
Other College Opportunities
There are several colleges in the United States that specialize in fire protection education. Probably the most well known of these is the Fire Protection Technology program at Oklahoma State University. The curriculum at this school is aimed at a fire protection technician level, rather than the firefighter. Graduates of this program are actively recruited by both public and private fire protection agencies.
Additionally, the Oklahoma program offers one of the few four-year degree programs in fire protection. A graduate of this program is not only versed in the science of fire, but also in basic management techniques. The curriculum for this program can be obtained by contacting Oklahoma State University (Fire Technology Department, Stillwater, Oklahoma 70478).
Fire Protection Engineering
There are also schools that provide programs for fire protection engineers. The best of these is the University of Maryland. This program is not designed for entry level firefighters; it is the best school to look into if you have the mathematical and engineering skills to enter the engineering aspects of fire protection. For more detailed information contact University of Maryland (Department of Fire Technology, College Park, Maryland 20742).
MILITARY FIRE SCHOOLS
Another option for pre-employment candidates is the United States Air Force fire service training program. Many young firefighter candidates have gotten their basic training by entering the Air Force and being sent through their school which is located in Chanute, Illinois. The obvious advantage to this program is that this schooling is free. It also offers the candidate the opportunity to explore many different facets of fire protection, to travel, and to learn on the job. The disadvantage is the fact that the military obligation is for several years. Sometimes duty assignments are a long way from where you desire to be.
The Air Force Fire Protection Specialists school is nine weeks in length and covers five different blocks of instruction-Fire Protection Objectives and Responsibilities, Structural Fire Fighting, Operating Structural Fire Fighting Vehicles, Aerospace Vehicle Fire Fighting, and Breathing Apparatus, Rescue Carries, and First Aid. Successful graduates from this course receive five units of college credit from the Air Force Community College.
RECRUIT TRAINING
Regardless of a candidate's training and education prior to employment, most fire departments conduct a recruit academy for new personnel. It is a boot camp for new firefighters. Its purpose is to acquaint the new member to the specific information and techniques used by the local fire department on a day-by-day basis. It is the most crucial training period for a firefighter.
Recruit academies vary in length according to the needs of the local agency; they range from about four to six weeks.
Recruit academies involve a lot of intensive mental and physical testing. During that six-week period, the recruit attends classes in such topics as fire behavior, hose handling, raising ladders, tactics and strategy, and rescue and emergency medical skills. Failure to complete the class is usually grounds for dismissal from the department. During this period the candidate will be evaluated on a variety of things other than grades on tests. The instructors observe candidates to determine their ability to work as a part of a team. They will be looking at a person's attitude about discipline and response to orders under stress. Candidates are assessed for their ability to work as a part of a fire company.
Most of a recruit's basic training is done under the supervision of a department training officer. He or she is usually an experienced command officer who can not only teach basic skills, but relate the information to real emergencies.
Recruit academies are intensive for a very good reason. A fire does not care how long you have been on the job. It is not uncommon for brand new tailboard firefighters to go on a working fire their very first shift. The recruit academy is used to preparing the novice for that eventuality. Knowledge and training is the only defense that a new firefighter has. Experience is an unforgiving teacher. That is why the drill instructors in a recruit school press for competency in hose lays, rescue practices, and the wearing of protective devices like breathing apparatus.
Most departments require that new firefighters swear an oath of office at the same time that they receive their badges. The combination of pride in graduating from the school accompanied by the thrill of getting a badge pinned to the new uniform is something very few recruits ever forget.
IN-SERVICE TRAINING
Training and education never stops for the firefighter. If you enter the ranks of the service, you will receive some form of training almost every day you are on duty. Most departments spend a minimum of six to ten hours per month on this task.
Much of the training is repetition of basic skills. This is called drilling. It serves much the same purpose of drilling on a professional sports team. It keeps basic skills finely tuned for use in high stress circumstances. Training and drilling is often done under the supervision of the firefighter's direct supervisor, the fire captain.
The second type of training that a firefighter receives is new information. Most modern fire departments have one or more officers designated as training officers. Their job is to bring new information to the department on a frequent basis. Additionally, the training staff and the company officer provide training in improved skills, in order to get individuals ready for promotion. Classes are often held on very specialized subjects like hazardous materials, hydraulics, or leadership and supervision.
At the bare minimum however, the in-service firefighter will be going through some form of training all through their career. There are almost no exceptions to this rule.
SPECIALIZED TRAINING
Almost all fire service agencies offer a variety of specialized courses once a person completes probation. These courses range from very short courses on fire hydraulics and pump operations to extensive ones like officer training or paramedic school. Specialized training is also provided in fields such as fire prevention and fire investigation. As a person is promoted in the fire service, these specialized classes often play an important part in her or his career development.
STATE FIRE TRAINING PROGRAMS
Most states have a program to help deliver special training classes to local fire departments. In-service personnel often attend state-sponsored schools, seminars, and workshops. Some attend them on-duty and others have to take time to attend them off-duty. Typical of state fire academies are special courses in flammable liquids fire control, high rise firefighting tactics, fire prevention practices, and leadership courses.
If an individual wants to get promoted in the fire service, he or she must attend a combination of internal and external training and education opportunities. Many firefighters start their community college education before they are hired and complete their degrees after employment. Others start going to college after employment and complete requirements in order to prepare themselves for promotional competition. In either case, the combination of resources available from the various states provides an ample opportunity for a person to become competitive for promotion all the way from the tailboard to fire chief.
FEDERAL FIRE ACADEMY
The latest resource that has become available for the fire service is the National Fire Academy. This facility, created by the Presidential Commission on Fire Prevention and Fire Control, is located at Emmetsburg, Maryland. Fire officers from all fifty states are selected to attend courses of instruction at the academy on a year-round basis.
Typical of the courses offered at the National Fire Academy are such things as Instructor Training, Computers in the Fire Service, Management of Emergency Medical Programs, and Executive Development. As you can see, the majority of these courses are aimed at the upper levels of the fire service. There are also courses offered on Pesticide Fire Control, Maintenance of Fire Apparatus, and Fire Ground Management. These are excellent training opportunities for the entry level firefighter.
SUMMARY
Training and education is an essential part of the fire service. If you are a serious candidate, the best preparation you can engage in is to obtain as much training as possible prior to selection. The more education and training you have already, the more valuable you are to the department. That may not be possible in all areas of the country. You won't know until you check out all of the possibilities. But you can be sure that you will be expected to continue your education far into your career.
There is a trend toward certifying different levels of competency in the fire service. This means that before a person can achieve different levels he or she must receive a certain level of training and then be tested to see if they have learned the information. Almost all of the training resources identified in this chapter lead to that process. Another trend that can be pointed to at this time is a tendency toward higher levels of education for promotion. Many fire officers today have advanced degrees in such diverse subjects as political science, business administration, and public administration. There is no doubt that an education will be an important part of the future firefighter's career development.
