A course in fire department operations is the basic building block of coursework for a firefighter. This class begins instruction into the handling of an emergency situation. You will learn how to identify different kinds of fire and how they affect various styles of building architecture. The class will cover the uses of firefighting tools and how the members of a firefighting team work together from an administrative standpoint.
Fire behavior and combustion builds off of the introductory lessons about fire behavior gained in the fire department operations course. Students learn about the science behind fire: what materials are involved, how different chemicals burn, and what fire suppression technique will work best in each situation.
In some areas, such as New York City, firefighters are required to take coursework to become certified as a first responder. Because firefighters are often the first emergency personnel on the scene of an accident, it’s imperative that they have training in first aid and injury stabilization.
Training as an emergency medical technician is essentially an expansion of skills gained through first responder training. In addition to basic first aid, emergency medical technician training will teach you how to assess trauma, perform CPR, manage blood loss, and place splints, tourniquets and bandages. More advanced classes continue instruction on placing an IV, reading an EKG, intubation and advanced defibrillation.
A course in maneuvering through confined spaces is recommended, particularly for California firefighters. Classwork includes hands-on training in difficult situations; students will be able to recognize confined spaces and permit-required confined spaces. The course guides students through their responsibilities during a rescue operation. The end goal is for students to be able to identify and properly handle hazards specific to confined spaces. Students also learn about the necessary state and federal regulations regarding these spaces.