Training Requirements
Ridge Culver Firefighter
Training Requirements
Probably in more than just about any volunteer profession, the fire service requires an extremely large knowledge base on a wide variety of topics. Modern firefighters can be called upon to handle a large breath of activities and as such, need to be trained to efficiently and effectively handle these events.
While training can be demanding as it prepares the firefighter for service, the personal gains are immense. Proper training not only supports the firefighter’s ability to “do the job” but as an added benefit it greatly increases the individual’s skills and self confidence to be able to also handle situations outside of the service and in their personal lives.
The Ridge Culver Fire Department (RCFD) has a tradition of being one of the best trained departments in Monroe County and strives to maintain that status.
Training for the Ridge Culver Firefighter can be broken down in to three phases:
Phase I – New Recruit Training
The new RCFD recruit will undergo initial in-house training on nineteen different subjects taught by our own training staff. Many of these subjects are covered in a short period of time and often many are incorporated in to a single individual training session. Table 1 provides a list of those wide variety of topics you will learn.
Upon the successful completion of this training, the recruit is placed on Active Exterior status and is certified to respond to fire events and support fire ground activities outside of structures.
Dependent upon the firefighter’s availability and self drive this phase can generally be completed in an average of 3 to 4 weeks.
Phase II – Essentials of Firefighting
Essentials of Firefighting is a multi hour training course provided by the Monroe County Fire Bureau. This training course is required for all firefighters serving anywhere in Monroe County. It is provided during the evenings at the Monroe County Pubic Safety Training Facility (MCPSTF), 1190 Scottsville Rd.
Upon a formal graduation the firefighter is certified to the final status of Active Interior and is certified to support all fire ground activities including interior fire events.
This phase of training is of structured 16 weeks duration and requires the highest commitment of the recruit.
Phase III – On-Going Training
To remain on Active status, the RCFD firefighter must participate in at least two in-house training events (drills) each of two hours duration a month. Of these drills at least five must be on federal mandated subjects.
While some may find the training requirements demanding, the astute firefighter finds the skills, confidence, and experience gained is second to none and well worth the efforts!
TABLE 1 – RCFD Recruit Training Topics
|
TOPIC |
TOPIC |
|
RCFD Organization & Communications |
Fire Streams |
|
Fire Behavior |
Salvage & Overhaul |
|
Portable Fire Extinguishers |
Water Supply |
|
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) & Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA 1) |
Firefighter Safety A |
|
Ventilation |
Hazardous Materials |
|
Forcible Entry |
Blood Bourne Pathogens |
|
Ropes & Knots |
Mask Confidence (SCBA 2) |
|
Tools & Equipment |
Sprinklers |
|
Ladders |
RC District Rules & Regulations |
|
Fire Hose |
|
