Emergency Response Training

The importance of emergency response training for those in the firefighting profession cannot be overstated. Fire departments around the world to put a large amount of time, money and effort into regularly conducting emergency preparedness exercises that practice preparedness for possible fires. For firefighters, these exercises are a vital part of the overall fire safety process. However, many departments make these exercises even more strenuous than necessary.

This can have disastrous consequences if the exercises are not conducted properly or if they take longer than expected. When an emergency occurs, the first priority of most departments is to get every person out of the building as safely as possible. Therefore, when planning an emergency response exercise, it is important to consider how long the exercise will take. A fire department's goal is to minimize the chance of loss of life or injuries so the emphasis in most exercises should be on preparedness rather than speed. Some departmental leaders believe that the emphasis placed on emergency preparedness is often taken for granted.

Too often, emergency response training is neglected because there is an expectation that everyone involved in a firefight will quickly return to work or to a residence. This is not the case and departments are taking steps to change this. Currently, there are no specific guidelines for how firefighters should behave during an emergency situation. There is also no official guideline on what type of clothing a firefighter should wear.

According to a survey conducted by the National Fire Protection Association, many fire departments did not utilize the most up-to-date methods in training their firefighters. There was a lack of training on mental health, basic first aid, fire hazards and other important procedures. In a majority of the fire fatalities, it was the failure of emergency personnel and emergency services to properly act that contributed to the death of the victim. Many fire departments are now training their employees according to new federal government standards on how to respond to emergencies.

The new NFFD (National Fire Protection Training Database) program is designed to improve the way emergency personnel and department staff react to critical incidents. NFFD training helps prepare emergency personnel to manage a wide range of situations, which requires not only physical skills but mental preparation as well. Those who take part in the new federal program are expected to have a high school diploma or its equivalent and to pass a battery of tests designed to measure the trainee's understanding, analytical, communication and oral skills. A high school diploma or its equivalent is the minimum requirement in most states in order to be eligible for certification.

Emergency response drills are one of the tools used in emergency preparedness. Many cities, counties and even states offer emergency drills that allow firefighters to practice acting in volatile situations and having a preparedness level for unexpected disasters. The drills simulate an actual emergency situation, so the trainees can learn how to act in stressful conditions. Many cities also offer additional classes and training to existing firefighters to enhance classroom instruction and make the classroom a more effective environment for preparing emergency personnel.

Another important tool for emergency services is the community's response to emergency services. Public service announcement systems are available in many areas to announce any important information about weather-related emergencies or serious emergencies. Public service announcements are usually issued by media partners such as television and radio stations. They may also be posted in stores and other locations around town and county. These announcements are intended to let residents and local businesses know about upcoming events, the location of fire stations and emergency medical services, and other information that residents can use to stay informed.

Emergency communications are becoming an increasingly important tool for emergency services agencies. There are now designated officials in each county that are responsible for assisting in communication with local residents and the rest of the emergency services community. They coordinate with other agencies and provide information to the public about their responsibilities. Some agencies have telephone answering services in case of an emergency and other provide live Internet answering. Both phone answering and Internet answering services are designed to ensure that emergency centers and fire stations respond quickly to all calls.