Training
Fire Training
Training is an integral part of fire safety. SSFD is committed to providing the best and most comprehensive training available to all members of its personnel thereby assuring the citizens of Saratoga Springs that they will receive the very best customer service available in their time of need.
Very few professions can be considered as dynamic as the fire service; in the past twenty years we have seen such a remarkable change in the overall approach to firefighting that our predecessors would hardly recognize it. While our profession has seen a decline in building fires during this time period, we have also seen a dramatic rise in responses to incidents such hazardous materials releases, motor vehicle accidents, technical rescues, industrial accidents as well as a dramatic rise in emergency medical calls. While most sectors of our society have worked to make their products safer and more user friendly, this has not always translated to safety in the fire service. Building practices best speak to that point in that houses and commercial buildings today are not built to withstand the rigors of fire and this has contributed too many firefighter deaths and injuries annually. Our post September 11th world has forced the fire service as a whole to reexamine how it responds to routine incidents, and to be wary of possible terrorist attacks at any place or any time. Never before has the danger of walking into a situation that may involve explosives or biological agents been as prevalent as it is in today’s society.
All these possible scenarios have led to an unprecedented commitment to training by the Saratoga Springs Fire Department's talented and dedicated members. Maintaining proficiency in our most common types of calls requires members to train in up to date techniques for emergency medical response as well as those involving building fires of all types. Saratoga Springs Fire Department's firefighters and EMS personnel need to have better than 124 hours of continuing education including a recertification class every two years, in addition, they also need to keep current and certified in the latest cardiopulmonary resuscitation and cardiac defibrillation techniques.
As we move forward, our focus is on maintaining those skills necessary for our every day incidents, as well as preparing for those high risk low frequency events. While our training must focus on giving our firefighters the tools necessary for the here and now, we are also trying to stay ahead of the curve and train for the future as well, cultivating the future leaders of the fire service will become and remain a priority ensure quality service well into the future. While we understand the future is uncertain, our commitment to training and maintaining an excellent fire and rescue team is certain.
Training is an integral part of fire safety. SSFD is committed to providing the best and most comprehensive training available to all members of its personnel thereby assuring the citizens of Saratoga Springs that they will receive the very best customer service available in their time of need.
Very few professions can be considered as dynamic as the fire service; in the past twenty years we have seen such a remarkable change in the overall approach to firefighting that our predecessors would hardly recognize it. While our profession has seen a decline in building fires during this time period, we have also seen a dramatic rise in responses to incidents such hazardous materials releases, motor vehicle accidents, technical rescues, industrial accidents as well as a dramatic rise in emergency medical calls. While most sectors of our society have worked to make their products safer and more user friendly, this has not always translated to safety in the fire service. Building practices best speak to that point in that houses and commercial buildings today are not built to withstand the rigors of fire and this has contributed too many firefighter deaths and injuries annually. Our post September 11th world has forced the fire service as a whole to reexamine how it responds to routine incidents, and to be wary of possible terrorist attacks at any place or any time. Never before has the danger of walking into a situation that may involve explosives or biological agents been as prevalent as it is in today’s society.
All these possible scenarios have led to an unprecedented commitment to training by the Saratoga Springs Fire Department's talented and dedicated members. Maintaining proficiency in our most common types of calls requires members to train in up to date techniques for emergency medical response as well as those involving building fires of all types. Saratoga Springs Fire Department's firefighters and EMS personnel need to have better than 124 hours of continuing education including a recertification class every two years, in addition, they also need to keep current and certified in the latest cardiopulmonary resuscitation and cardiac defibrillation techniques.
As we move forward, our focus is on maintaining those skills necessary for our every day incidents, as well as preparing for those high risk low frequency events. While our training must focus on giving our firefighters the tools necessary for the here and now, we are also trying to stay ahead of the curve and train for the future as well, cultivating the future leaders of the fire service will become and remain a priority ensure quality service well into the future. While we understand the future is uncertain, our commitment to training and maintaining an excellent fire and rescue team is certain.