Jonathan Paige of New London is on the Board of Directors for the New London Firefighters Burn Foundation and was a pervious member of the New London Firefighters Union Local 1522, IAFF, and the Uniformed Professional Firefighters of Connecticut. In the following article, Jonathan Paige discusses the importance of building skills and confidence in training sessions for emergency situations.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that, of the 1 million firefighters in the U.S. in 2020, only 35% were career firefightersthe rest were volunteers. Unfortunately, around 100 of these brave men and women die on duty each year.

Firefighters willingly run towards chaos before devastation can spread any further. Putting their lives in danger every day is a choice they've made to save the lives and property of others.

Jonathan Paige of New London takes a look at the hearts and minds of these experts in fire prevention and rescue, uncovering what makes them different in emergency situations.

Jonathan Paige Explains the Responsibilities of a Firefighter

While they are most known for responding to fire emergencies, firefighters can also specialize in different fields, like engineering, emergency medicine, or hazardous materials.

Jonathan Paige of New London states that in larger, metropolitan departments, they function similar to paramedics, responding to not just fires but to a wide range of situations like animal rescues to overdoses and active shooter events. They even have their own specialized vehicle for treating medical emergencies, called a Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU).

Firefighting

This is their primary duty, and firefighters regularly undergo fire training to practice their skills with hose, pump, and ladder operations. They also learn to evaluate a fire, choose the most effective method in fighting it, as well as strategies to control the flames from spreading any further.

Jonathan Paige of New London says that aside from the typical water and ladder trucks, they can also have access to specialty trucks like rescue trucks for building collapses or traffic collisions, engines that are designed to transport water over rough terrain.

Medical Care

Jonathan Paige of New London also notes that it's also common for firefighters to undergo training in emergency medical services, able to administer first aid on-site, critical in search and rescue operations.

Training in this area isn't limited to fire-related injuries like burns or smoke inhalation, some even specialize into paramedics, providing emergency care as the patient is brought to the hospital.

Fire Prevention

Jonathan Paige of New London explains that firefighters are also tasked to educate the community, teaching actionable steps to prevent fires. Some experienced firefighters also double as fire marshals, fulfilling not just a reactive role of fighting fires, but preventing them from occurring in the first place. Fire marshals inspect buildings to ensure it's obeying the guidelines on fire safety.

Training equips fire marshals with the needed knowledge about fire safety regulations and procedures, as well as the leadership needed to take control of emergencies when needed.

Maintenance

Cleaning and maintaining their equipment (and the fire station) is also part of their duty as a firefighter. Well-maintained equipment can mean the safety of the firefighter or the people they're rescuing, and it's vital that ladders, tools, trucks, and their air packs are all in working order.

Relevant Skills

While the Washington State Patrol has a detailed list of practical skills that a basic Firefighter I should have, there are also other skills (soft, technical, or otherwise) that are important in a firefighter's career.

Adaptability

Jonathan Paige of New London says that firefighters must quickly adapt to changing conditions, as emergency situations are unpredictable, and plans can quickly go awry. Being adaptable allows them to meet challenges as they come, adjusting their plan of action as the situation unfolds.

Organizational Skills

In a situation where every second counts, firefighters must set and prioritize tasks that maximize the efficiency of their response time. During an emergency, this can be the deciding factor between saving one life or two.

Social Skills

Jonathan Paige of New London explains that a key component of a firefighter's daily life is building rapport and camaraderie with others, especially their crew. Firefighters are subject to high-stress environments, and their lives rely on having complete faith in each other and working as a team.

Communication Skills

Closely related to social skills, this means being able to articulate thoughts effectively. It can range from giving clear instructions, concise reports, or coordinating with a group to create a plan of action during emergency situations.

Analytical Skills

Jonathan Paige of New London says that when decisions could mean life or death to the firefighter, their crew, or the people they're rescuing, the ability to analyze situations, assess risk, and quickly formulate a plan become an important skill to have.

Conclusion

These skills, supplemented by regular training, collectively arm firefighters with the capabilities needed to handle complex and high-pressure situations. When every second counts, their skills, confidence, and heart selflessly rise to the occasion, safeguarding lives and property of the community they serve.