Wednesday 27 November 2013

Understanding The Fire Fighter Training Program

By Angela Briggs


Fire fighter training is a must for any person looking to become a career fire fighter. This type of coaching is meant to equip the applicant with skills that enable him or her to effectively fight blazes without succumbing to the flames or endangering anyone. Physical ability, attainment of minimum age and having a good vision are among the items that are tested.

Every year, there are thousands of applications sent out to various departments. Of these, only a handful is selected after every two years. Even though most departments only require an individual to have cleared high school, some will only go for those with extra credits from a university or college.

Education wise, a high school diploma is required of each applicant. From here, the next phase will be to sit for a minimum of three entrance level exams. The exams include aptitude tests, physical capability and endurance tests and the written examination.

Usually, the written exam is taken first. In this exam, candidates and trainees will be faced with the task of filling in answers to about a hundred multiple choice questions. Ability to recall events and information as well as the ability to read and understand the questions is also assessed here.

During the physical ability tests, coaching officers are usually on the lookout for agility and upper body strength. This will be required when using the axes and also when dragging the hose pipes around. Each and every task offered to an applicant will usually be timed.

Officers involved in the coaching will usually conduct live blaze drills. This is where they light a building is to determine whether the trainees can think critically and fast while on their feet. Through repeated exposure, students are instilled with good habits that come in handy when out in the field.

Every drill will be followed by a performance evaluation. Before the evaluation, trainees are inspected in order to make sure that they did not incur any injuries to their bodies. After this, the officer in charge will then proceed to provide a constructive feedback on the drill conducted earlier.

When it comes to burning buildings, there are usually three types of buildings present. There is the traditional, acquired structure, and the simulated blaze building. Each of this type will be used by the officers to train the trainees during their fourteen week guidance program.

After graduating from the coaching academy, the professionals are able to join the industry as entry level professionals. From here, they will be able to improve their skills over the years. An improvement in skills and expertise is usually followed by a rise in the rank.

For a person looking to become a fire fighter, it will be important to go to the local department and check their hiring guidelines. From these guidelines, one is now able to understand what will be expected of him or her during the fire fighter training program. He or she can therefore start preparing in advance.




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