PPP Firefighting Training

One of the major hazards associated with firefighting operations is the toxic environment created by combustible materials. The four major risks are smoke, oxygen deficiency, elevated temperatures, and poisonous atmospheres. Additional hazards include falls and structural collapse that can exacerbate the problems encountered in a toxic environment. To combat some of these risks, firefighters carry self-contained breathing equipment. The first step in a firefighting operation is reconnaissance to search for the origin of the fire and to identify the specific risks. Fires can be extinguished by water, fuel or oxidant removal, or chemical flame inhibition. Firefighters Skills: Firefighting requires skills in fire suppression, rescue, and hazardous materials mitigation. Firefighters must also have, or be able to acquire, knowledge of department organizations, operations, and procedures, and the district or city street system they will have to negotiate in order to perform their duties. They must meet minimum physical fitness standards and learn various firefighting duties within a reasonable period. Examples are:

• Building construction
• Fire dynamics
• Firefighting PPE
• Fire extinguishers
• Ropes and knots
• Ground ladders
• Forcible entry
• Structural search and rescue
• Tactical ventilation
• Fire hose operations and streams
• Fire suppression
• Overhaul, property conservation, and scene preservation
• Building materials, structural collapse, and effects of fire suppression
• Technical rescue support and vehicle extrication operations
• Foam fire fighting, liquid fires, and gas fires
• Hazardous materials response

Specialized Skills: Specialized areas of operations may require subject-specific training. A hose team training to fight an aircraft fire aboard a US aircraft carrier, 2006 Examples are:

• Fire apparatus driver/operator - trained to drive fire apparatus to and from fires and other emergencies, operate fire-apparatus pumps and aerial devices, and maintain apparatus.
• Hazardous materials technician - certified to mitigate hazardous materials and CBRNE emergencies.
• Rescue technician - certified to perform rescues such as high-angle rope, trench, structural collapse, confined space, vehicle and machinery, water, ice, and cave or mine rescues.
• Airport firefighter - trained in ARFF.
• Wildland firefighter - trained to extinguish fires in outdoor vegetation, including the wildland/urban interface.