What It Takes to Becoming a Fire Fighter?
Posted by Jason White on Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Under: College Education
Firefighting is one of the most respected professions in Canada. This is
because of the important role of firefighters in saving lives, property
and environment, by carrying out emergency rescue operations.
Firefighting is a rigorous job and is certainly not for faint-hearted.
Therefore, if you're considering a career in this field, make sure that
you're physically fit, capable of handling immense pressure and
dedicated to serve the community.
As said earlier, the job of a firefighter is not easy and neither is the
process of becoming one. Hiring process is really tough. So, you must
know beforehand what you're getting into. The job of a firefighter is to
work effectively with other members of the fire service team and
pre-hospital emergency care providers, in order to save lives, suppress
fire and protect environment from further destruction. Most often, they
are the first emergency personnel to arrive at the scene of fire and
perform emergency rescue operations.
The job may include working at odd hours. The professionals are required
to work in myriad of settings, including metropolitan areas, rural
areas, forest, gas stations, airports, chemical plants and other
industrial sites. During their regular work hours, they work at fire
stations and make preparations to respond immediately to fires and other
emergencies.
Becoming a Firefighter
If you're interested in becoming a fire fighter, you will have to meet
the knowledge and skill outcomes required by the Ontario Office of Fire
Marshal (OFM) curriculum in the areas of community education, fire
prevention, fire suppression, emergency patient care, environmental
protection and special rescue operations.
In order to gain the knowledge and skills required to build career in
this field, you will need to have undergone at least a post-secondary
pre-service firefighter program in Toronto.
The one-year program provides you with theoretical and practical
understanding in all aspects of fire fighting. The program runs for
three semesters and covers a wide range of subjects, including
Communications, Introduction to Fire Service, Fire Ground Operations,
Emergency Patient Care, Fire Equipment, Fire Suppression, Fitness,
Rescue Operations, Environmental Protection, Fire Safety Inspection, and
Global Citizenship: From Social Analysis to Social Action.
The course also includes professional preparation through firefighter
pre-graduate experience. They receive practical training under the
guidance of experienced instructors.
Studying Firefighting in Toronto
Numerous colleges in Toronto offer pre-service firefighter courses. But
it's important to choose a college that is recognized and offers strong
employment prospects. Centennial College's program in pre-service
firefighting is delivered in partnership with Toronto Fire Services.
Moreover, the program is in accordance with the approved curriculum
developed by the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) and the
Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal.
It combines theory and practical, preparing you to work effectively in a
team to save lives and suppress fire. Simulation training is also
provided to you under the guidance of qualified instructors. In addition
to this, you also gain practical experience in ‘live fire burns' at the
City of Toronto's Fire Training Academy and the Emergency Patient Care
at college's Healthcare Simulation Centre.
In : College Education
Tags: firefighter courses firefighter program