Enhancing Firefighter Safety and Performance: Mandating Fitness in Fire Departments. David Bissell. Columbia Southern University. ENG 1302. English Composition II Carina Lewis-Spencer March 10, 2024. Enhancing Firefighter Safety and Performance: Mandating Fitness in Fire Departments. Firefighting requires both bravery and physical strength. The demands of this profession mean that firefighters need to be in top physical condition to face dangerous situations effectively. Despite the importance of physical fitness in firefighting, not all fire departments have made fitness programs mandatory for their incumbent staff. However, these programs offer numerous benefits, including better firefighter health, improved job performance, cost savings, and increased public …show more content…
Firefighters bear the responsibility of safeguarding these communities, and maintaining optimal fitness levels is a necessity to accomplish that mission. The public relies on firefighters to execute their tasks effectively, even in physically and mentally demanding situations, and should be able to rely on their local firefighters to perform in every setting. While it is undeniable that a firefighter fitness program is necessary, there are valid arguments against its implementation. These concerns include the cost involved, the physical limitations of firefighters, and the fear of potential injuries. Implementing and sustaining a comprehensive firefighter fitness program, although proven to have a long-term monetary benefit, can pose heavy initial financial challenges for fire departments, particularly those with limited budgets. The expenses associated with equipment and personnel overseeing fitness programs can strain operational budgets (Pegram, 2021). Additionally, there is a concern about discrimination, as strict fitness standards may inadvertently exclude individuals with various physical limitations that range from gender to physical
As an employee of The New York City Fire Department, it is our duty to know its mission state and what its internal core analysis consists off. “As first responders to fires, public safety and medical emergencies, disasters and terrorist acts, the FDNY protects the lives and property of New York City residents and visitors. The Department advances public safety through its fire prevention, investigation and education programs. The timely delivery of these services enables the FDNY to make significant contributions to the safety of New York City and homeland security efforts. The New York City Fire Department’s internal core analysis consists of: Service: the department continues its unwavering call to protect and serve. Bravery: courage is the foundation of each character. Bravery is the ability to overcome fear through fortitude, instinct, compassion for others and training. Safety: our citizens must be reasonably free from danger, especially deliberate, harmful acts. With the best equipment and training, the department can reduce the risk to the public and its members at fires, emergencies and medical incidents. Honor: the enormous commitment necessary to perform the department’s tasks requires excellence of character. They inspire each other through pride in the unit, which is a belief that every action reflects on all the members of the unit, both past and present. Dedication: a commitment to the objectives to their mission is an essential part of their code of conduct. The faithful observance of duty, calls for the FDNY to fulfill their obligations professionally and honestly. Preparedness: by combining all of the components of their core values, the FDNY will maintain its constant state of readiness to meet all threats and c...
Introduction Those interested in pursuing a career in firefighting are faced with many options when it comes to selecting a department to apply to. Attaining a career with Columbus Fire is often a goal of students in Central Ohio, and for good reason. Problem The Columbus Division of Fire is a large organization that hires candidates using a standard civil service hiring process every two years (unless there is not a need). This means that if the city has enough employees at the end of the two-year cycle to continue operations, they can opt to forgo a testing process until it is needed.
So you are a new recruit/rookie/probies. Well then congrats on your achievement of completing the fire academy training. Remember everyone was once in your shoes. When you are hired on to a department. The people of that department, you could be serving with for maybe 10 or more years. To help prepare you for your career in the fire service here is ten thing you must know.
# Coleman, Ronny J., et al.Fighter's Handbook: Essentials of Firefighting and Emergency Response. Delmar/Thompson Learning, Stamford, CT, 2000.
Dropping everything he’s doing Joe quickly runs to the fire poll and proceeds to exits the building, sirens soaring over head, and fire truck engines starting up, he rushes to slip on his gear, he feels good about himself knowing he’s a hero, he holds his helmet under his right arm, and jumps on the bright shiny red fire truck, he taps the sparkling smooth metal twice, and they pull out of the fire station, as they arrive at the house, he spots the bright red and orange fire, instantly everything slows down, and his heart speeds up, other than the thrill and overall well-being of this career. Job duties, Salaries, Requirements, Hours, and other information about this career are also something to think about.
An effective mission statement at a fire department can be incredibly influential on the morale of the personnel—which as a result, can dramatically improve the performance of personnel when put into practice. Furthermore, because of the importance of a fire department’s mission statement, there should be a considerable amount of thought put into the drafting of one; and one of the most vital parts of an effective mission statement is to make sure that it can be put into practice. With that being said, the mission statement at my fire department is “One Team, One Group, One Fight”.
Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a firefighter? Firefighting can be a very rewarding job if you make it one. Not only do you get to ride around in a cool fire truck, you get to help people every day. Even though the job is very physically demanding, if you keep yourself in good shape and train, you will do just fine. The job also gives you a since of pride knowing that you are making a difference in someone’s life.
The conclusion the author made was that the study showed that undulated training was the way to go for firefighters who need the multidimensional muscular and performance training in order to succeed at their job. Undulated training, in this sense, had greater potential. In 2000, the NFPA created a new firefighting ordinance that created health and physical fitness requirements that firefighters had to pass in order to be cleared to perform their jobs. This was to motivate firefighters to perform the best they could in order to succeed, including improving firefighter health by helping them avoid serious injury or disease and improve their performance in order to succeed at their job.
Mental health in the fire service is an upcoming problem, but has been occurring for years without firefighters even knowing it. Specifically post-traumatic stress disorder known as PTSD and firefighter suicides are the main issues that have a large impact in the fire service. This outline will lay out the main points that are a result, impact, or other subjects in relation to the two main issues above. Firefighter deaths are rising rapidly, members of the fire service need to be educated on PTSD and suicide to provide treatment before another devastating event occurs in result of the issues effects.
Firefighters are more than friends. You can't fight fires with friends. To fight fires you need a brotherhood. The men and women of the fire service across the globe consider each other family, this is one of the grand traditions of the fire department. Firefighters are constantly looking out for one another, thinking about the things they do and how it may affect the other’s lives and safety. Life safety is of the highest priority in the business of fire rescue. To achieve a safety standard there are many tasks that fire personnel are expected to carry out, for both a personal and a team related purpose. One of these tasks is the daily inspection of the fire apparatus upon arrival to the fire station. This task is with most certainty the most essential process that fire personnel are responsible for in order to get through the shift safely and efficiently.
Sargent, C. (2006). From buddy to boss: effective fire service leadership (p. 153). Tulsa, OK: Penwell Corp.
Every year communities struggle each year around the nation with issues of life safety. In 2012, the nation’s fire departments responded to 31,854,000 responses that resulted in the deaths 0f 2,855 civilians and injuring 16,500 causing an estimated $12,427 million dollars in damage. (United States Fire Administration, 2014) These incidents put at risk 345,950 career and 783,300 volunteer firefighters that resulted in the deaths of 81 individuals (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2013) and nearly 70,000 reported injuries. ( Karter & Molis, 2013) These numbers represent incidents that are determined to be in the line of duty but do not take into consideration the long-term health risk issues that may develop. Evidence shows that he hazards associated with Fire and Emergency Services are consistent across the board whether paid or volunteer and jeopardize the lives and health of each individual, placing administrative and physical control measures reduces this risk to firefighter within an organization. While it is impossible to eliminate the hazards firefighters face, it is important to identify these hazards as the first step in reducing the potential for loss of life and wellbeing both physically and mentally.
The fire service has many years of traditions. Many of those traditions are good. However, some of those traditions are hurting and in some cases lead to the death of fire fighters. After finishing my research paper, I hope brings to attention that changes are needed in the fire service. The audience I am reaching out to are my fell fire fighters and fire administration. After reading, will look at current policies and procedures, and fire tactics on the fire ground. Fire administration will take the appropriate action to make the fire service more discipline. I will be taking an investigation look into different incidents that have accorded on fire ground scenes. Could have the injury and or death be avoided?
Okray, Randy, and Thomas Lubnau. Crew Resource Management for the Fire Service. Tulsa, OK: PennWell, 2004. Print.
firefighters in action with a few conflicts that they would resolve, someone may die or get hurt