So You Want to be a Firefighter?
Firefighters today do much more than fight
fires. They provide rescue services, handle hazardous chemical
emergencies, and conduct fire prevention, investigation, and
inspection activities. Firefighters also do most of the cleaning
and maintenance work required to keep their tools, equipment,
buildings, and apparatus ready for immediate response. Many
Illinois communities depend on their fire departments to provide
emergency medical services, sometimes including ambulances. If you
become a firefighter, you will be assigned to a team, called a
company, that provides some or all of these services.
In most communities, you must be
21 years of age. A few will hire 18 year olds. You will need to be
a high school graduate, or equivalent, and not have been convicted
of a felony crime. A few municipalities may have higher education
requirements. Some communities require you to be a resident, or
become one after joining the department.
What It Is All
About
Firefighting is one of the world’s most
honored but hazardous occupations. Firefighters join a profession
that is rich in heritage of dedication and unselfish
sacrifice.
Firefighting requires a high
sense of personal dedication, genuine desire to help people and a
high level of skill.
Firefighters must be sincerely
interested in and dedicated to the job and aggressive in the
pursuit of all education and training opportunities.
Teamwork - learn to work as a
team. A good team has confidence that comes from belief in each
team member.
Firefighter II has twenty-three
(23) units of instruction broken down into three (3)
modules:
♦ Module A
♦ Module B
♦ Module C
The manual contains the
objectives as set forth by the National Fire Protection Association
and the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal as the minimum
standards required for Firefighter II and Hazardous Materials
Awareness training. Test questions for certification will be
developed from the objectives contained in this manual.
Module A has the following
subject areas:
♦ Fire Department
Orientation
♦ Fire Behavior
♦ Safety
♦ Self-Contained Breathing
Apparatus
♦ Portable Fire Extinguishers
♦ Ladders
♦ Fire Hose and Appliances
Module B has the following
subject areas:
♦ Building Construction
♦ Forcible Entry
♦ Ventilation
♦ Water Supply
♦ Nozzles and Fire Streams
♦ Fire Control
Module C has the following
subject areas:
♦ Ropes and Knots
♦ Loss Control
♦ Overhaul
♦ Fire Detection, Alarm Suppression
Systems
♦ Fire Prevention and Public
Education
♦ Protecting Evidence for Cause and
Determination
♦ Communications
♦ Terrorism Awareness
♦ Firefighter Survival
♦ Hazardous Materials Awareness
If you have any questions and
want to be a firefighter, check with your local fire
department.
Fire Science
