Fire Fighting Course: The Top 5 Skills You'll Gain

Becoming a professional firefighter requires a great amount of skill, dedication and experience, which is why it is crucial that you complete a fire fighting course. While the training required to become a fire fighter may not be easy, there are many essential skills you will gain from completing fire fighting training.

In this quick read, we'll be unpacking five of the best skills you can acquire from completing a fire fighting course and why they are crucial for becoming a successful fire fighter.

Fire Fighting Course: 5 Important Fire Fighting Skills

As a first responder for emergency fires, fire fighters need to be expertly trained to effectively douse flames and conduct rescue operations. A fire can grow to become catastrophic in minutes, which is why fire fighters are so essential for preventing the spread of flames and saving lives.

Fire fighters are tasked with fulfilling various responsibilities during an emergency fire to ensure the safety of civilians, including fire prevention, maintenance and fire care. There are many skills required for fire fighters to do their job effectively, which can be gained from completing a fire fighting course. Below are five of the key skills necessary for becoming a professional fire fighter:

Time Management
Given the many tasks and duties that firefighters need to enact during an emergency, time management is crucial. Fire fighters need to be able to effectively multitask so that they can complete their duties properly and timeously. Without proper time management during an emergency, fire conditions could worsen and further endanger lives. As first responders, fire fighters need to work quickly and efficiently, especially if a fire is rapidly spreading and civilians are already injured.

This skill plays a significant role in the lives of fire fighters, making it an essential segment of any fire fighting course. At EMCARE, our fire fighting course provides students with the expertise they need to act as emergency responders.

Overall Fitness
While being trained in fire fighting techniques is crucial to becoming a fire fighter, having adequate fitness levels also plays a significant role in the success of a fire fighter. During a fire emergency, fire fighters require great strength and agility, especially when carrying people out of fires. The better your physical health and stamina are, the quicker you're able to act, allowing you to save more lives.

Additionally, fire fighters also need to operate large pieces of heavy machinery, which can be difficult to do without the right fitness levels. Our fire fighting course contains various modules on how to effectively direct official fire fighting machinery, giving you the training you need to rescue civilians and put out fires.

Communication
One of the most important qualities a fire fighter can have when handling an emergency fire is good communication skills. Knowing how to communicate effectively is a requirement across all industries but is especially crucial for emergency situations. Working as a fire fighter is not a solo effort - fire fighters need to work as a team to put out fires, which is why communication is key.

As fires can spread and change instantaneously, fire fighters need to obey strict instruction from their chain of command, especially if they have new objectives to fulfil. Similarly, fire fighters must be able to communicate with their teammates and fire victims to prevent the spread of the fire and ensure safety. This skill is especially important in a fire fighting course.

Spatial Awareness
When it comes to planning an entry plan into a burning building, spatial awareness is a crucial skill for fire fighters to have. Buildings and households that have caught aflame are incredibly dangerous to be inside of, especially if they are on the brink of collapsing. Fire fighters need to have a clear understanding of the dimensions of the space where the fire is occurring, as this will help them to navigate their way through a house or building.

Having spatial awareness allows fire fighters to make informed decisions based on their understanding of the environment. This allows them to predict how the fire may affect the rest of the building and take relevant action. A firefighting course covers several modules on spatial and situational awareness.

Mechanical Proficiency
Working as a fire fighter means more than just dousing flames and rescuing victims - it also involves the operation of specific fire fighting equipment and machinery. Understanding how to use these tools is fundamental to becoming a successful firefighter, especially when it comes to contributing to your team. Fire fighters use their mechanical proficiency to operate equipment safely and effectively, which includes cleaning and repairing their tools when needed.

Additionally, fire fighter candidates need to complete a mechanical reasoning test to ensure their understanding of various fire fighting devices. Passing this test is essential to becoming a fire fighter as it provides you with in-depth knowledge on how important equipment works and how to use them correctly. At EMCARE, our fire fighting course involves thorough training about the operation of official fire fighting tools and machinery.

About EMCARE's Fire Fighting Course

Founded in South Africa in 1997, EMCARE has been specialising in health and safety training for many years. Our team of experts and experienced professionals help to provide aspiring fire fighters with the skills and training they need to excel in their career. As a learning institute, we strive to offer only the highest quality of care and training to all our students, helping them to reach their goals and contribute to industry effectively.

If you're an aspiring fire fighter but lack professional training, visit our website to sign up for our fire fighting course or get in contact with one of our representatives directly.