Firefighter apprenticeship

Description of an apprenticeship as a Firefighter

Table of Contents

Firefighter apprenticeship

DOT code: 373.364-010 AIMS code: 0195

Description:

Controls and extinguishes fires, protects life and property, and maintains equipment as volunteer or employee of city, township, or industrial plant: Responds to fire alarms and other emergency calls. Selects hose nozzle, depending on type of fire, and directs stream of water or chemicals onto fire. Positions and climbs ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings or to assist individuals from burning structures. Creates openings in buildings for ventilation or entrance, using ax, chisel, crowbar, electric saw, core cutter, and other power equipment. Protects property from water and smoke by use of waterproof salvage covers, smoke ejectors, and deodorants. Administers first aid and artificial respiration to injured persons and those overcome by fire and smoke. Communicates with superior during fire, using portable two-way radio. Inspects buildings for fire hazards and compliance with fire prevention ordinances. Performs assigned duties in maintaining apparatus, quarters, buildings, equipment, grounds, and hydrants. Participates in drills, demonstrations, and courses in hydraulics, pump operation and maintenance, and firefighting techniques. May fill fire extinguishers in institutions or industrial plants. May issue forms to building owners, listing fire regulation violations to be corrected. May drive and operate firefighting vehicles and equipment.

On- The-Job Training:

A. General: Organization, structure, rules and regulations of the fire department; completion of reports and documentation of fire department records. 800 hours

B. Forcible entry: Use and maintenance of tools and equipment; methods and procedures through doors, windows, ceiling, roof, floor or vertical barrier. 100 hours

C. Protective breathing apparatus: Use of equipment in various hazardous environments; maintenance of equipment, recharging of breathing apparatus; correct use of emergency procedures to assist others. 200 hours

D. First aid: Demonstrate conducting first aid practices for life threatening injuries on a victim; demonstrate conducting first aid practices for other than life threatening injuries on a victim; standard operating procedures, search and rescue, extrication, pre-hospital emergency care, triage, disaster plans and procedures, drive and operate. 950 hours

E. Ropes: Identify and produce by tying a bowline knot, a clove hitch, becket or sheet bend, bight, loop, round turn, and half-hitch; hoist equipment, inspect, clean and maintain rope; select and use rope of appropriate size, strength and length for various tasks. 100 hours

F. Salvage: Proper use, inspection, cleaning and maintenance of salvage equipment. 200 hours

G. Fire hoses, nozzles, and appliances: Identify hose, hose adapters and hose appliances; advance dry hose lines or charged attack lines; clean and inspect hose, couplings and nozzles; hose rolls, hose carriers, loading of hose on fire apparatus; hydrant/pumper connections; testing of fire hose. 200 hours

H. Fire streams: Use nozzle to attack a Class A and Class B fire; properly open and close a nozzle; select proper hose size and nozzle; use foam making appliances; select proper adaptors or appliances. 200 hours

I. Ladders: Identify various ladders; carry ladders individually or as a member of a team; raise ladder; ascend and descend ladders with tools, with injured person; inspection, cleaning, maintenance and testing of ladders. 100 hours

J. Ventilation: Opening various types of windows and doors; ventilation of a roof or floor; use and care of power saws and other equipment; size openings for ventilation; remove skylights, scuttle covers, etc. 300 hours

K. Inspection: Procedures for inspections of buildings exit drill procedures; identify common fire hazards and make recommendations for their correction; inspect fire extinguishers, standpipe  systems, sprinkler systems, private water systems, detection alarm systems, electrical services and appliances, chimneys and flues, storage of flammable liquids and gases; storage of materials to ensure proper piling, aisles, clearances and access to fire equipment and exits. 800 hours

L. Rescue: Use of carriers, drags and stretchers; use of life belt and life net; search for victims in hostile environments; use of rescue tools; extrication of a victim from a vehicle. 450 hours

M. Sprinklers: Operation of main drain and main control valves; maintain sprinkler systems; test sprinkler systems; read and record pressures on all gauges. 200 hours

N. Fire alarms and communications: Receive alarm or report of emergency and initiate proper action; identify all fire alarm signals and action to be taken upon receipt of each signal; proper use of radio equipment; resetting of alarm devices. 200 hours

O. Safety: Use of all firefighting equipment and apparatus; safety equipment used in electrical emergencies; recognition of symbols used to designate hazardous material and areas; general safety precautions. 200 hours

P. Fire behavior: Chemistry of fire, flame spread flash over, phases of burning, classes of fires and heat transfer; fire suppression agents. 500 hours

Q. Water supplies: Operation, maintenance and use of water distribution systems including hydrants, water pressure, main valves, discharge capacities and piping. 200 hours

R. Portable Extinguishers: Identify and distinguish between different types of extinguishers; operation, inspection and testing. 200 hours

S. Overhaul: Methods and procedures to detect and extinguish hidden fires; procedures for overhaul of building and its contents. 100 hours

Total hours: 6000

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