Free Fire Fighter Training
Those interested in becoming a firefighter, or firefighters wanting to hone their skills will find many free training opportunities online from government agencies and industry publications. The trainings take the form of videos, skill sheets, briefings, tabletop and field exercises, and online courses. Some organizations offer continuing education credits for completing the classes.
Other People Are Reading
-
U.S. Fire Administration
-
The U.S. Fire Administration offers "coffee break" training materials--one-page illustrated briefs designed to provide the basics on various fire suppression topics--and online courses. Volunteer firefighters may apply for classroom training at the USFA campus in Maryland. Accepted students receive a travel stipend, lodging, materials, books, and ground transportation from/to airports in Washington, D.C.
Fire Engineering Magazine
-
The hard copy magazine dedicated to fire fighting suppression and investigation offers a Web site with drill exercise for fire departments, animated simulations, interactive Webcasts and educational videos. The FE University offers both free and paid courses for continuing education credit. (See References 2)
-
FEMA: Emergency Management Institute
-
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's Emergency Management Institute offers more than 70 online courses related to emergency response, including fires. Topics covered include hazardous materials, ethics, the Incident Command System and state disaster management. Available courses provide continuing education or college credits.
Rescue Exams
-
Rescue Exams, a member of the EMS1 network, provides educational videos, study aids and practice tests for state examinations. Topics include hazardous materials, firefighting basics, and building construction as it relates to fire fighting. The available practice tests include Firefighter I and EMT.
Firehouse Department Level Training
-
Firehouse Magazine provides field-training exercises designed for the department. Print the exercises or download them in pdf format to distribute to all members of the station house. Firehouse designs training drills for basic and advanced skill levels. The site adds new drills on a weekly and monthly basis for tabletop and field practice.
National Wildfire Coordinating Group
-
The National Wildfire Coordinating Group offers four free courses online designed for active firefighters. The courses require a course administrator, usually an individual at the government unit or NWCG member agency that employees the firefighter. The online courses available are Introduction to the Incident Command System, Basic Wildland Suppression Orientation, Firefighter Training, and Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit firefighter and flames 2 image by Tino Hemmann from Fotolia.com
