Fire Fighting Training: Protecting Nature, Communities And Livelihoods From Wildfires

Good fire fighting training is a key part of protecting not only nature, but whole communities and livelihoods from destruction. Brought to you by EMCARE, this article will be looking specifically at how firefighters and their work help to safeguard the natural environment and communities, and by extent local economies and livelihoods.

Each section, protecting nature, safeguarding communities, and protecting livelihoods, will be broken down into three distinct ways in which firefighters offer proactive solutions to wildfires.

Fire Fighting Training: Protecting Nature

Prevention and Mitigation
Trained firefighters who specialize in wildfire management do indeed work hard to actively combat ongoing wildfires, but the truth is that it is far preferable to start this fight before the fire does. Preventative measures are by far the safest way to combat wildfires, but they take know-how and fastidiousness to be done thoroughly and safely.

One of the best preventative measures against wildfires is the creation of firebreaks, which are strips of land free of fuel loads like dry vegetation. These are made by trained firefighters who either cut away at existing brush or use carefully controlled fires to achieve the same results.

Fire Suppression
Should a wildfire arise, those equipped with fire fighting training will have the necessary skills and knowledge to actively combat it. In teams, they'll be able to close in on a fire and use whatever equipment is available to them to help suppress the fire. If the wildfire is near a road, they'll be able to utilize the water and hoses from a fire truck to help quench the flames, but should there be no road access, they'll use fireproof beaters to actively smother the flames. Using their knowledge of fire behaviour and the local environment, firefighters will prioritize fires that are actively threatening sensitive ecosystems, wildlife habitats and important water sources.

Rapid Response
Those who have undergone proper fire fighting training will be able to respond quickly to any reports of new fires. Although a constant state of preparedness can be a challenge to remain in, trained firefighters are keenly aware of the importance thereof, especially in vulnerable times like dry or thunderstorm seasons. A well-prepared team will be able to then leap into action without hesitation or skipping over any important preparation, potentially stopping any fires before they inflict serious damage or become unmanageable - potentially saving huge swathes of nature and biodiversity.

Fire Fighting Training: Safeguarding Communities

Defensive Tactics
Similarly to how fire breaks and land management can be used to protect areas of vulnerable nature, so too can they be used to safeguard communities. Fire fighting training will include reliable methods for establishing defensive areas around communities, taking into consideration new variables such as flammable structures and access to water points. This way, should a wildfire threaten a community, fighting back should be far easier.

Evacuation Coordination
Firefighters and emergency services often work together to formulate and implement an evacuation plan, should a fire ever seriously threaten a community. Their training will allow them to anticipate fire behaviour and make informed decisions on the safest escape routes. Firefighters may be actively involved in the evacuation process, going as far as escorting fleeing residents.

Community Engagement
Those who have undergone training will be able to further protect communities by engaging with them via informative talks or town meetings, which help to raise awareness about fire threats, teach them the best ways to help prevent fires, and instil in them a sense of confidence as they understand they're well protected.

Fire Fighting Training: Protecting Livelihoods

Economic Safeguards:
By preventing or suppressing wildfires, firefighters are helping protect economically valuable areas like farms, pastures or touristic areas from fiery destruction. Should these areas succumb to wildfires, this would represent a massive loss of resources, jobs and as a result, entire local communities. Thus, trained firefighters represent one of the greatest economic safeguards that a municipality or community could invest in. Private organizations or businesses should consider contributing to local firefighting services, as they stand as some of the entities most to benefit from well trained and equipped firefighters.

Infrastructure Protection:
Fire fighting training will teach firefighters to prioritize the protection of critical infrastructure and power lines that support communities, such as roads, water sources, telecommunications towers or power stations. By safeguarding these pieces of key infrastructure, firefighters prevent a community from being cut off from essential support required to not only fight a fire effectively but resume their livelihoods in the aftermath of the blaze.

Aiding Recovery:
Firefighters are trained to not only prevent and combat fires, but to help communities recover in the wake of a wildfire. They will direct and aid in the rebuilding process of a community that has been affected by wildfires, helping expedite recovery and allow a community to return to normal activity as soon as possible. Fire fighters will also work to assess risks and learn from a past fire to help build stronger safeguards around a community, ensuring that its recovery builds in greater wildfire resilience for any future events.

Protection Through Fire Fighting Training With EMCARE

In conclusion, fire fighting training ensures that nature, communities and local economies are protected from the worst effects of wildfires in both the short and long term. Well trained firefighters not only know how to actively suppress fires but also establish strong preventative measures to reduce the likelihood of burns, and to mitigate the worst effects thereof should they happen.

They know how to specifically target sensitive ecosystems, economically important sites and key infrastructure, granting them additional layers of protection. Fire fighters also understand how to engage with communities, helping them prepare for fires and recover in the aftermath of burns, helping make communities more resistant and resilient to the effects of wildfires.

To learn more about how you can get involved or start your own training, you can visit our website today to find a full breakdown of all our courses.