{"id":502860,"date":"2020-07-15T18:47:24","date_gmt":"2020-07-15T18:47:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/firefighternow.com\/?p=502860"},"modified":"2024-03-08T00:01:12","modified_gmt":"2024-03-08T06:01:12","slug":"10-reasons-firefighters-are-important-to-the-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/firefighternow.com\/10-reasons-firefighters-are-important-to-the-community\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Reasons Firefighters Are Important to the Community"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As a firefighter, I have the privilege of serving my community and being someone that residents can depend upon. But, a firefighter\u2019s role means a lot more than just putting out fires. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, why are firefighters so important to the community?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firefighters are dependable members of the community who assist in a wider range of situations than you might expect. We are rescuers, community leaders, social support, and role models. We can be there to help in all kinds of emergency and non-emergency situations. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This often means providing guidance and community support when the public may consider us to be off-duty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are always ready to respond to major fires, incidents, and accidents when the call comes in, but will also work with schools, care homes, and all kinds of other places where we can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are firefighters so valuable to the community?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Firefighters are important members of the community because they are trained to deal with all kinds of needs and all kinds of people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1.  Firefighters will handle residential, commercial and wildfires<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    1. Firefighters can provide medical assistance as EMTs<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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      1. Firefighters can assist at the scene of road traffic accidents<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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        1.  Firefighters can deal with hazardous materials<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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          1. Firefighters are stationed in some niche departments for specialist services<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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            1. Firefighters can enforce fire codes and preventative measures in commercial buildings<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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              1. Firefighters can inspire the next generation at fun open days<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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                1. Firefighters can give safety talks at schools and nursing homes<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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                  1. Firefighters can help animals in need too (yes we get called for all sorts of animals problems)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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                    1. Firefighters can create a two-way relationship with the community<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                      Let\u2019s learn a little more about the 10 ways that firefighters are so important to the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      1) Firefighters will handle residential, commercial, and wild fires.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                      It might sound a little obvious to say that we help the community by putting out fires, but this is still one of our most important jobs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      We have the training and equipment ready to tackle all kinds of fires \u2013 from small scale kitchen fires to major blazes in office blocks or apartment buildings. Everyone must have confidence in us to show up at your address as soon as possible to protect lives and property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Residential fires are a common cause<\/a> of emergency calls. Fires can occur in homes through accidents with candles and flammable objects, faulty wiring, malfunctioning appliances, lightning strikes, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      This is why we must prove ourselves to be strong, friendly community leaders. The same is true for any commercial building fires, such as office blocks, restaurants, and stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Can firefighters tackle wildfires too?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                      Wildland fires are another problem that we have to deal with and will require special training. This is more common in rural areas and hotter regions where there is a greater risk of wildland fire in forests or grasslands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Wildfires are caused by dry weather but also by arson and accidents with campfires and cigarettes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      \"firefighter<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                      Experienced wildland firefighters trained for these situations can head out and manage the fire effectively. In areas like California, this training is more essential than ever as wildfires become more frequent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Our role as community leaders here is as much about creating a best plan for tackling a fire as it is about preventing them. We all know Smokey\u2019s statement \u201conly you can prevent wildfires\u201d. Well, it is up to fire services to ensure that this message gets across.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      2) Firefighters can provide medical assistance as EMTs and Paramedics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                      Firefighters may be known best as those that literally fight fires, but that isn\u2019t what the majority of calls are for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Instead, most calls are for medical emergencies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      We can act as first responders in times of crisis to reach vulnerable patients. This also means that we can provide patient treatment and transfer as needed so they can receive treatment in the hospital. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      So, it\u2019s not unusual to see a fire truck<\/a> at the scene of a medical emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Are all firemen EMTs or Paramedics?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                      Usually, but not always. There is a requirement for many departments that anyone who wants to work as a firefighter must undergo EMT training<\/a> (feel free to click the link to find EMT\/Medic training near you).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      We can either have this prior to our application or some departments will provide training on the job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      However, some very large or very small departments or volunteer departments may not require any sort of medical training as they don\u2019t provide any medical assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      \"EMT<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                      EMT training lets us handle medical emergencies that don\u2019t require invasive treatment. This could be as simple as tending to a wound or a burn \u2013 both of which are essential skills on the fire ground \u2013 or administer CPR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Most firemen are EMTs but not all firemen are paramedics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      There is a distinction based on our training and experience which determines the types of procedures we can handle. EMTs can act as first responders to assess a scene and deal with those non-invasive issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      But, we may need to call in a paramedic firefighter for assistance. Either way, you can be sure that you are in safe hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      3) Firefighters can assist at the scene of road traffic accidents.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                      Because we can provide both firefighting services and medical assistance, we often come and deal with road accidents in our district. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      The NFPA offers some interesting data on this. The stats may be from 2014, but they give a good idea of what we do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n