Progress Report: Fire Service Recruits
Recruits of the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service’s Recruit Course 01/11 will begin week number seven of 26 of their foundational training.
All 14 of the Recruit Firefighter/EMT-I’s are on schedule for completion of phase one of their training programme, the first phase being the Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate Course.
In 1996, the Fire Service Act was amended, requiring the Chief Fire Officer to equip and train firefighters to become co- responders with the Emergency Room Staff of the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.
As a result of the Fire & Rescue’s service expanded role, its call volume rose exponentially from 1,200 emergency calls per year in 1999 to 4,167 in 2010. Because of strategically located Fire Stations staffed with EMT responders, residents are now able to begin receiving life saving medical interventions within 10 minutes of their call for assistance.
Currently, the Fire & Rescue service employs 82 EMTs. Fifty nine are certified Emergency Medical Technician Basic (EMT-B) and twenty-two are certified Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate (EMT-I).
Several of the Senior Firefighters with EMT-I certification are now eligible for retirement. Qualifying the new recruits for EMT-I certification early in their careers ensures the vacancies created by retirement will be filled with qualified individuals as soon as practicable.
Additionally, it is a legitimate expectation of the community that fire-fighters certified as EMTs are capable of providing a level of care equal to that of the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital EMTs.
The Minister of National Security Lt. Col. David Burch said, “This kind of efficient succession planning is exactly what is needed to ensure Bermudians continue in employment and remain marketable in the working world. The community can take comfort in knowing that skilled, highly trained, first-responders are at their service.”
With the additional 14 EMT-I certified firefighters on schedule, the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service capacity will increase allowing for a more flexible work schedule as well as the continued sustainability of the service.
Upon successful completion of the Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate Course, the recruits will begin phase two of the training programme; Fire Suppression.
The Minister added, ”When I visited the recruits last month, I encouraged them to take advantage of every training opportunity so that they are well positioned to progress up the ranks of the Service.”
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