VIDEO: The new training course, โDefenses for Firefighters,โ covers the balance between personal safety and effective emergency response. The online course uses real-world incidents to provide guidance on how to assess and control risk by identifying hazards, defending against injury and making risk-informed decisions.
The core principles of the course include:
- Always buckle up.
- Stay visible and aware around traffic scenes.
- Never enter a structure fire without a radio that has been tested.
- Operate as a team. Enter together, stay together, exit together.
- Recognize structural risks and expect buildings to collapse.
- Know your equipment and use your equipment.
- Speak up if something doesnโt seem right.
โThe entire course takes only fifteen minutes. I would encourage all fire departments in Illinois to put their staff through it and then continually reinforce the principles,โ said IL OSHA Chief Erik Kambarian. โThe goal is clear: ensure every firefighter can walk away from a bad day.โ Firefighters of any skill level are recommended to take the course. The course is available now through the Illinois Fire Service Institute website.
