First Responders

What advice would you give to a student about to start a fire science program?

Key Advice for Fire Science Students: Ask Questions!

Hi, I've got another question here. What advice would you give a student about to start a fire science program? My advice is that when you get into class, you ask questions. That's what I tell my class the first day of the semester when I introduce myself and I talk to them. I tell them, make sure you ask questions. If you're not sure of what's going on, what's happening, ask questions. There are so many students that I get that go through the program that at the end of it when we're talking and sending them on their way, they say, I wish I would have asked more questions. Don't feel that a question is a bad question, is a stupid question. Any question that you ask the instructor is something that you need to know. As an instructor, I love when the students ask me questions. It challenges me. It lets me let them know what is going on. And if I don't know the answer, I will find it. I don't know all the answers. I will look it up and we will learn together.

My advice to students starting a fire science program is to ask questions. Don't be afraid that your questions are stupid or bad, as asking questions allows you to learn more and challenges the instructor.

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To a student about to start a fire science program, my advice is simple: ask questions. On the first day of class, I always emphasize the importance of seeking clarification whenever you're unsure about something. Many students who complete the program express regret about not asking more questions. Remember that no question is considered bad or stupid. Every inquiry you make is an opportunity to gain the knowledge you need. As an instructor, I appreciate when students ask me questions because it challenges me and allows me to provide them with the information they seek. Even if I don't have all the answers, I will gladly find them and we can learn together. So, don't hesitate to ask questions throughout your fire science journey.

What specific training did you have to pass before becoming a firefighter?

Firefighters now benefit from specialized training and certifications

Hi, today's question I have is what specific training did you have to pass before becoming a firefighter? Well, in my time I really didn't have any specific training that I needed in order to pass to get on as a firefighter. All I had to do is pass a written test, a physical agility test, and then I had an oral board in which I had to go in and speak to the fire chief on why I wanted to be a firefighter. And so that was, for me, that was it. My formal training came all hands on on my first department. Today's firefighter, you're better off if you go to and get your EMT, paramedic, or if you go to a junior college and get a fire science technology degree. You walk into a fire department with certifications that you've already been taken. That shows the department that you're seeking that you are interested, that you really want the job. Compared to a fellow that just takes the test and goes on in, they'll look at you and say, you've already started your training. That's the person we want.

Training for firefighters today includes getting an EMT, paramedic, or fire science technology degree and passing a written test, physical agility test, and oral board. This shows the department that you are interested in the job and have already started your training.

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To become a firefighter during my time, I didn't require any specific training to pass. I had to complete a written test, a physical agility test, and undergo an oral board interview with the fire chief to express my desire to join the firefighter profession. My formal training began when I joined my first department and gained hands-on experience. However, in today's context, it is advantageous for aspiring firefighters to obtain additional certifications such as EMT or paramedic training, or pursue a fire science technology degree from a junior college. Having these certifications demonstrates a strong commitment and interest in the field, making candidates more desirable to fire departments compared to those who solely pass the required tests without any prior training.

Have you sustained any injuries while on the job?

Incredible Comeback: Surviving a 30-Foot Fall on the Job

Hi, I've got a question here that says, have you sustained any injuries while on the job? I have some minor cuts, bruises, some minor burns. The most significant one that I ever had was a fall that I took when I was on the technical rescue team. We were doing a training in a mountainous area where they lowered myself down with a stoke stretcher. As we were being brought up, things went south and we went over the edge of the cliff. And I went, myself and the guy that was in the stoke stretcher, we fell about 25 to 30 feet. I hit my head, I was out. I did a compound fracture of my right tib-fib that was broken in five different spots. They ended up having to airlift me to the hospital where I was in surgery for about six hours where they took my leg all apart, put a rod in my leg, put it back in. And the surgeon at the time told me, don't even think about getting back online for 10 months. But being that I was in such good condition because of my working out, I was back on the job in less than five.

I had a fall from 25-30 feet while on the technical rescue team that caused me to break my right tib-fib in five different spots. I had surgery for 6 hours and was told not to work for 10 months, but was back in less than 5 because of my physical condition.

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Regarding injuries sustained while on the job, I have experienced minor cuts, bruises, and burns. However, the most significant injury occurred during a training exercise with the technical rescue team. While being lowered down a cliff on a stoke stretcher, an unfortunate incident caused us to fall about 25 to 30 feet. I hit my head and lost consciousness. The fall resulted in a compound fracture of my right tib-fib, with five different breaks. I had to be airlifted to the hospital and underwent a six-hour surgery where a rod was inserted to mend my leg. The surgeon advised against returning to work for at least 10 months. Despite this, due to my good physical condition from regular workouts, I defied expectations and returned to work in less than five months.

What tips do you have for someone who is just starting out in their firefighting career?

Top Tips for Starting a Successful Firefighting Career

Hi. The question here I have is what, what tips do you have for someone who is just starting out in their firefighting career? The tips that I would have and I tell a lot of the students is that you need to be very motivated. You have to have the passion for the fire service and you have to be willing to dig deep and go above and beyond meaning, getting yourself prepared mentally as well as physically. It goes in together as far as it works together, your mental status as well as your health. You have to be mentally prepared to take on the challenges of firefighting, all the studying, all the training and with that, you have to be physically fit as well. So it goes hand in hand and if you're not prepared mentally, you're not going to do it physically. If you're not prepared physically, you're not going to be doing it mentally. So it goes hand in hand and I really try and emphasize to the students and to people that are getting into it that you really have to get yourself prepared in both ways.

The tips that I would give to someone who is starting out in their firefighting career is to be motivated, have a passion for the fire service and be prepared both mentally and physically.

For someone just starting out in their firefighting career, I would emphasize the importance of motivation and passion for the fire service. It's crucial to be willing to go above and beyond, both mentally and physically. Being mentally prepared means being ready to tackle the challenges of firefighting, including studying and training. Physical fitness is equally important, as it complements your mental preparedness. Being physically fit allows you to perform the duties required of a firefighter. Mental and physical preparation go hand in hand; if you're not prepared mentally, it will affect your physical performance, and vice versa. So my tip is to focus on getting yourself prepared in both aspects - mentally and physically - as you embark on your firefighting career journey.

What are some things you have done to maintain your health and ability to function within your fire service career? 

Firefighter shares secrets to staying healthy and fit

Hi, I've got a question here today. What are some things you have done to maintain your health and the ability to function within your fire service career? Well, some of the things that I've done is, uh, I work out, I work out every day. Uh, just about, I work out at least six times a week. Um, I feel that that gives me a stress reducer. Working out has helped me tremendously with stress. Um, I have also seen a chiropractor to help my mobility as far as my shoulders. Uh, I had some real problems towards the end of my career, my online service career, uh, with my shoulders, just like your knees, they get worn out. My shoulders, they were getting worn out. Um, but some things that this chiropractor had given me some, uh, stretches and functioning mobility maneuvers had helped tremendously. Uh, I was at one point, I couldn't even lift my arm high enough to get equipment out of the fire truck. And at that time I thought I was pretty much my career is going to end. But after seeing this, the chiropractor, this doctor helped me so much and just giving me different things and stretches and, uh, also, uh, some dry needling helped me tremendously. Working out is a great stress reducer. And for firefighters, you really need to find that. So that was my thing that I did to help maintain my health. Thank you.

To maintain health and function in my fire service career, I have worked out 6 times a week, seen a chiropractor for shoulder pain, and done dry needling for mobility. Working out has been a great stress reducer.

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To maintain my health and ability to function within my fire service career, I prioritize regular workouts. Working out at least six times a week has been instrumental in reducing stress and keeping me physically fit. Additionally, I sought the assistance of a chiropractor to address mobility issues in my shoulders, which were causing problems towards the end of my career. The chiropractor provided stretches and maneuvers that significantly improved my shoulder mobility. Thanks to their guidance, I regained the ability to lift my arm high enough to retrieve equipment from the fire truck. Dry needling also proved beneficial in my recovery. Overall, working out serves as a great stress reducer for firefighters, and finding an effective stress reduction method is crucial in maintaining health in this profession.

Have you ever worked with a grief counselor or therapist to process the emotional impact of your job? If so, how did that help?

Firefighter reveals the impact of therapy on emotional well-being

Hi, I've got a question here today that says, have you ever worked with a grief counselor or therapist to process the emotion impact of your job? If so, how did that help? Well, I tell you, we never had any type of counselors or therapists when I was going through fire service. Towards the end of my career, they started bringing in therapists that as soon as you would get back from a situation that they felt would wear on your mind, death, an injury to another firefighter, they'd bring in these people to talk to you. And this was just towards the end of my online service. I have dealt with some students from Denver University as I teach at the junior college. And these students are coming in and helping out future firefighters with the process of how to deal with emotional impact. And just seeing what they have been doing has pretty much helped me deal with some stuff that I have seen in my career. So I would have to say that if you have any problems, seek a counselor or therapist. It would help immensely.

I never had access to a grief counselor or therapist during my time in the fire service, but towards the end of my career, they started bringing them in to talk to us after traumatic events. I've also seen the work of students from Denver University helping future firefighters process the emotional impact of their job, which has helped me deal with some of what I have seen in my career. If you have any problems, seek a counselor or therapist- it would help immensely.

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Have I ever worked with a grief counselor or therapist to process the emotional impact of my job? Towards the end of my career in the fire service, therapists were brought in to talk to us after challenging situations that could weigh on the mind, such as death or injuries to fellow firefighters. However, during most of my career, we didn't have access to counselors or therapists. As a firefighter, I have seen some difficult situations, but I have found solace in working with students from Denver University who assist future firefighters in dealing with emotional impact. Observing their work has helped me personally process some of the things I've experienced throughout my career. I firmly believe that seeking the support of a counselor or therapist can immensely benefit anyone facing these challenges.

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