Training

As a volunteer firefighter, you know how important it is to stay up-to-date on everything from the latest training courses to resources available to understand safety and health standards. But it can be challenging to access all of this information, especially if you are serving as a volunteer. That’s where the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) comes in. Read this article to learn more about the NVFC.

This online program provides free training on the care and maintenance of protective clothing and footwear in accordance with the 2020 edition of NFPA 1851.

There are many cancer-causing agents firefighters will face on the fire ground, but there are also some hazards to be found at the fire station. In this course, we will examine the most common hazards found on the fire ground and at home, all of which can be the catalyst for the many cancers for which firefighters are at risk of developing.

You may have heard the term “tactical athlete” a lot recently. The term itself is not confined to the fire service and firefighters but other high-risk professions such as the military. The United States Marine Corp (U.S.M.C.) defines a “tactical athlete” as an individual who trains for combat readiness using a comprehensive athletic approach. Tactical athletes use all facets of strength, power, speed, and agility to improve their combat fitness level to their highest potential.

Proper cleaning, maintenance, and storage of protective clothing are essential to improving firefighter health and safety. The requirements set forth are per NFPA 1851, Standard on Selection, Care and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, 2014 Edition. It should be noted that this standard is a comprehensive user document, and all fire personnel should read it to get a fuller picture of PPE cleaning, maintenance, and storage.

Significant advances have been made in our understanding of the hazards associated with structural firefighting. A research team recently conducted a large-scale, comprehensive study to better understand how operating in an environment typical of today’s fireground impacts cardiovascular events and chemical exposures related to carcinogenic risk. The team consisted of the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI), the UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute (FSRI), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), with support from Globe and academic researchers from Skidmore College and University of Illinois Chicago.

Since 2012, we’ve partnered with DuPont Protection Solutions and the National Volunteer Fire Council to provide 351 sets of new, state-of-the-art turnout gear to volunteer fire departments in need – a value of over $800,000. Through our Globe Gear Giveaway Program, an additional 13 departments will receive four sets of gear each in 2017.

Tactics in the fire service have changed. It used to be that firefighters stopped the fire at the building. But now they’re going in deeper to stop the fire at the room of origin. Firefighters need training not only on the performance of their gear and proper donning and doffing but also on the limitations of their gear.

We’re sponsoring a National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) webinar on Thursday, November 17: Cardiovascular & Chemical Exposure Risk Studies at IFSI Research. Conducted by Gavin Horn, PhD, Director of Research, this webinar will provide a high level overview of recent studies conducted at IFSI Research along with partners from UL FSRI and NIOSH to characterize some of the leading health risks on today’s fireground and training ground. Studies will be described and initial results shared as well as a description of where to find more information as it is released.