Becoming A Irish Fire-Fighter By John Byrne ff. Carnew Fire Brigade.

Becoming A Irish Fire-Fighter

By John Byrne ff.Carnew Fire Brigade

• Interview with County Council Fire Service Personnel.

• Garda Vetting.

• Full Medical Examination.

• Suitability Test.

• Recruitment Training Course.

• Breathing Apparatus Training Course.

• Manual Handling Course.

• Hot Fire Behaviour Training Course.

• Road Traffic Collision Course.

• Occupational First Aid Course.

• First Responder Course.

• Incident Command Course.

• Pump Operators Course.

Process in Becoming a Fire-Fighter

Interview with Fire Personal

Each candidate will go through a Interview Stage with fire brigade personnel to unsure that candidate is suitable to proceed in becoming a fire-fighter.

Candidate must , live, work, within a reasonable distance of the fire station, so that he/she can respond quickly to incidents.

The fire service is a equal opportunity employer. Candidate must be available 24/7 to respond to

all emergency calls. Successful candidate will then proceed to next

step.

The successful candidate will have to summit to a Garda vetting.

This will check to see if candidate has a criminal record or has been in trouble with An Garda Siochana

The Garda central vetting unit deals with requests to vet certain prospective employees. It only deals with requests from organisations that are registered with the unit

The law in Ireland makes it a criminal offence for some people who fail to notify their employers they are guilty of certain criminal offences before taking a job or performing a service.

Garda Vetting

The successful candidate will have to under go a rigorous full medical examination.

Checking fitness, flexibility, breathing, blood-pressure, etc..

This medical is performed by a specific doctor appointed by thefire service.

If candidate passes full medical he/she then progresses on to the next stage.

Medical Examination

• One of the first tests is to check if the candidate is not afraid of heights. (Vertigo) This test is done by candidate performing several different ladder climbs and performing the famous leg-lock which is done at several different heights on the ladder.

• When the candidate has the leg lock securely in place he/she must then let go the ladder and lean back with both arms fully extended.

• This test is carried out on what's known to fire-fighters as the 464 ladder, which is a three section 13.5 metre ladder.

• The second test is a fear of confined spaces test, this test is done in complete darkness, and involves the candidate to crawl through a series of narrow pipes , followed by a crawl through a maize type cage frame.

Suitability Test

The leg-lock performed by Fire-fighters at height

Suitability Test

Confined Spaces Test

Silos Drains

Suitability Test

• Recruitment training is a two week duration course, where the candidate will undergo varies aspects of fire-fighting.

• What's involved ?.

• It involves doing ladder drills, pump drills, and later on doing combined ladder and pump drills.

• The candidate will be thought varies fire-fighting skills and fire safety throughout this course.

• The candidate is introduced to most of the equipment that fire-fighters use in every day operations.

• There is both practical and theory involved in this course.

• The candidate will undergo assessment throughout the two weeks of the course, and will sit a theory test at the end of the two weeks. If the candidate successfully passes the recruitment course he/she will then go on active duty at his/her Fire Station.

Recruitment Training Course

464 Ladder Drill


Portable Pump Drills


• The breathing apparatus training course is a two week duration course.

• Course Objective:

• This course objective is to facilitate the delivery of breathing apparatus

training to produce safe and effective breathing apparatus wearers.

• The fire-fighter are assessed on their ability to present technical

information, perform risk assessments, their ability to work in a very

stressful environment.

• The fire-fighters can be sent into the buildings with varies tasks to perform,

(i.e.. Search & Rescue, Fire-Fighting, Hose Retrieval.) Each team will be

designated a team leader and the team leader is responsible for his/her

team whilst in the building.

• Team Leader is in frequent contact with the entry control officer over the

radio

giving constant updates on progress.

• Each candidate must successfully pass this course to progress in his / her

career in the fire service.

• The B.A. sets that is used by Wicklow fire service is Drager.

• This is most probably the toughest course in the Fire Service Training.

Breathing Apparatus Course

• Course Aim

• The aim of this course is to train Fire-fighters the correct procedures associated with Breathing Apparatus.

• At the end of this course each Fire-fighter should be able to:

• Properly Handle breathing apparatus (B/A)

• Properly fit B/A

• Properly fit face mask

• Test B/A Set

• Correctly fit Cylinder to Set

• Carry out High and Low Pressure Tests on Set Do Donning and Removal of Set

• Entry Control Procedures

• Safety Checks including check for Positive Pressure

• Warning Whistle Activation

• Gauge Readings


Full Fire Kit Full Fire Kit with B.A.


The Draeger Breathing Apparatus Set is the one used by Wicklow Fire Service.(may not be exact model)


• B.A. Entry control board.

• Tally's are placed into

board which show B.A

wearers -

• Name

• Cylinder pressure

• Time in

J BYRNE 200 5.35

Breathing Apparatus CourseB.A Entry Control

• Every BA control board has a whistle attached to it in case a evacuation has to take place.

• And china-graph pencils to write all information onto board.

• All information from tally's must be overwritten onto board.


• B.A. Entry control board is controlled by a

BA ENTRY CONTROL OFFICER, known as

B.A.E.C.O.

• Baeco has a very important job to do in B.A. as he/she is responsible for every person that enters the building.

• Baeco works out fire-fighters time of whistle, and gives a short debrief to fire-fighters on tasks that need to be done once entered the building.

For example:

Fire-fighting

or

Search & Rescue

• Baeco wears a tabard like so.


.


BA Entry Control Board B.A. Team entering a building

Fire fighting Team In Action Search & Rescue Team In Action


Gas Tight Suite Exercise BA Team Dealing with a Casualty

It’s Warm in here


• This is a one day course.• This course outlines the management of Manual Handling hazards to

assist in the prevention of sprain/strain injury.

• Manual handling is any activity requiring the use of force exerted by a person to lift, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain any person, animal or thing.

• Employees are responsible for :

• Not placing themselves or others at risk of injury.

• Reporting hazards associate withmanual handling and consultingwith crew members in relation toappropriate risk control measures.

Manual Handling Course

• R.T.C. As its known is a three day course. R.T.C. Training is designed for fire-fighters who will be required to use specialist equipment, techniques and procedures for dealing with road traffic collisions and casualty care.

• R.T.C. Is a favourite of nearly all fire-fighters as it is a very hands on course.

• In this course the fire-fighters get to use a wide range of the tools used at R.T.C. ( i.e. The cutting gear, spreaders, rams, etc..)

• In this course fire-fighters are thought safe handling of all the equipment used in R.T.C. Incidents and safe handling of casualties.

• Fire-fighters are trained in casualty care and save removal of casualty from the vehicle.

Road Traffic Collision Course

Tools of the Trade

Halmatro Cutters Halmatro Spreaders Glass Management Saw



Fire-fighters using Halmatro Cutters

Fire-fighters dealing with casualties


Fire Behavior Training Course

One of the significant hazards facing fire-fighters involved in tackling fires in buildings is the possibility of a sudden increase in the burning rate and severity of fires through phenomena such as

Flashover and Back draught. Fire-fighters will see all the stages in fire development and witness

what is known as Dancing Angels. This training helps the fire-fighter to understand how fire develops

and spreads within a compartment and how it can be extinguished. The fire-fighter will be taught how to enter a building in a safe

manner and what to expect when he/she enters the building . This is probably one of the most enjoyable courses the fire-fighter will

do in his/her training.

Fire Behaviour Training Course

Fire-Fighters Entering A Container


Fire-Fighters in a Container

FlashoverFire Behaviour Training Course

Back Draft


Occupational First Aid Course

First aid is a three day course. First aid is the immediate care given to a

injured person or suddenly ill person. In first aid course fire-fighters are giving

CPR and AED training. Fire-fighters are thought how to access

patients on first arrival at scene and how to deal with the injured or sick patients.

Fire-fighters are thought how to deal with several different scenarios such as, shock, heart attack, electrocution, stroke etc..

Fire-fighters learn how to bandage patients with fractures and wounds.

The course programme concedes of:

• Responsibilities of the first responder • Diagnosis & principles of treatment

The nervous system • Head injuries • Shock – fainting • Unconsciousness • Patient approach • Examination of the casualty • SAMPLE - history • Recovery position • Asphyxia and its causes • CPR – practical • Spinal emergencies • Corrosive injuries

The course programme concedes of:

• Treatment of foreign bodies • Poisoning • Chemical splashes • Burns & scalds • Blood & circulation • Wounds and bleeding • Control of bleeding• Dressings and bandages • Fractures – causes, types, signs. • Soft tissue injuries • Handling & transport – incl.

Improvisation • General rules for treatment • Crush injuries

First Responder Course

CHAIN OF SURVIVAL

Early AccessEarly CPR

Early DefibEarly Advanced Care

Incident command system is a one day course.

Incident command system teaches fire-fighters that no individual should be responsible for so many aspects of an incident that it is difficult or impossible to give sufficient attention to each.

Incident command system teaches how to Sectorise incidents and how to spread out Responsibilities to different personnel.

Incident Command Course

Types of Sectors you can have at an incident :

Numbered - sector 1, sector 2, etc..(May also be used in R.T.C. Incidents)

Named - front sector, fire sector, search sector.

Functional - water sector, decontamination sector, foam sector. Etc..

Geographical - north, south, east, west.


• Responsibilities at an incident are spread out as follows:

Incident commander.

Sector commanders.

Command support.

Operations commander. (If in use)


RCC

IncidentCommander

Sector 3

Commander

Sector 1

Commander

Command Support

Main Radio RCCCh.1/Verbal

Ch1

Ch1

2 Pump Incident Level 1

RCC

Incident Commander

Gardai and other services

Sector 3

Sector 1

Commander

Sector 3

Commander

Level 2Command Support

4 Pump IncidentLevel 2

Sector 1

• Photo of a Level One Incident Command Board.

Incident Command Board

Photo of a Level Two Incident Command Board.

Incident Command Board

Pump Operators Course

Godiva World Series Main Pump Godiva Portable Pump

• Course Aim:

• The aim of the course is to assist fire fighters in developing and updating their ability and skills operate Pumps in a safe manner.

• Course Objectives:

• At the end of the course participants will• Have improved their knowledge of the types of pumps in general use in the Fire

Service and the procedures for their efficient operation.• Be aware of the practical and theoretical elements of the construction of the

equipment.

• The content of the one week course is:

– Theory of Pump Operation and Water Pressure Delivery Appliance Based and PortableOperational Procedures for Pumps – incl. Standard Tests

– Use of Pumps and Related Equipment – Practical Exercise– Practical Examination – Trouble Shooting on Site



Water DamStarting a Portable Pump

Now that you are a Fire-Fighter• Retained fire-fighters.• Retained fire-fighters are an essential part of the fire &

rescue service. They serve rural communities, responding to pagers when an emergency call is received.

• A retained fire-fighter must live or work within five minutes of the fire station.

• Clearly, flexibility is key and you will need to be either self-employed or have an employer who is supportive and willing for you to leave work at a moments notice to attend an emergency.

• Retained fire-fighter are paid on a quarterly pay basis.• Each new fire-fighter will be issued with Full Fire Kit.

Retained fire-fighters. Retained fire-fighters are an essential part of the

fire & rescue service. They serve rural communities, responding to pagers when an emergency call is received.

A retained fire-fighter must live or work within five minutes of the fire station.

Clearly, flexibility is key and you will need to be either self-employed or have an employer who is supportive and willing for you to leave work at a moments notice to attend an emergency.

Retained fire-fighter are paid on a quarterly pay basis.

Each new fire-fighter will be issued with Full Fire Kit.

Now that you are a Fire-Fighter

Flash Hood

Gloves

Boots

Leggings

Tunic

Helmet

Full Fire Kit Course / Training Wear

Your New Kit

The End.

John Byrne ff. Carnew Fire Service

Becoming A Irish Fire-Fighter By John Byrne ff. Carnew Fire Brigade.

Documents

successful candidate

personaleach candidate

responder course

aid course

behaviour training course

recruitment course heshe

pump operators course

ladder drills