In every sense of the word, firefighters and fire police are truly first responders to all sorts of emergencies across our region. There’s no telling what they might be called on to do—from fighting fires and responding to vehicle and other accidents, to managing natural disasters and other emergencies that are as unpredictable as the wind. That’s why basic Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) style training – training in First Aid and CPR/AED – is one of the requirements included in Alpha Volunteer Fire Company Training.

Basic EMT-Style Training Includes Coursework & Hands-On Training

If you qualify as an Alpha trainee, you also qualify for EMT-style training. You must be least 18 years old, be a high school graduate or have a GED or equivalent. Plus you must possess a valid driver’s license and complete a background check and physical. Generally speaking, an EMT-Basic Certificate program combines coursework you study like lectures and written materials with hands-on experiences that provide practical training. Students learn life-saving procedures, basic first aid, emergency situation assessment, and proper patient transport. Alpha requires certification in First Aid and CPR/AED – cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the proper use of an automated external defibrillator device. And while it might sound like a lot to learn—it’s something that every volunteer firefighter has gone through to earn his or her place in the Company. And the benefits are yours for life.

EMT-Style Training And CPR Training Are Skills For Life.

We’ve had Alpha Volunteers move on to become professional Emergency Medical Technicians as a career. But best of all, and what is often under-appreciated “until you do it”, is the fact that the skills you learn here are skills for life; whether you stay in the fire service or not. Imagine, for example, you’re an employer looking at two candidates with similar resumes and work histories. Oftentimes, the difference between getting a coveted new job lies in the fact that one candidate has demonstrated initiative that goes “above and beyond” what is expected of everyday people. Basic and applied first aid and CPR training – and the remarkable variety of hands-on skills and responsibilities of being an Alpha Fire Company volunteer – will be a difference maker in service of the community, and in life in general.

Take a moment to…

review all the links and FAQ’s in our training section to learn more about what it takes – and what you get – as an Alpha Trainee! For more on moving beyond the basics of EMT training, check out this neat article.