Few careers depend on speed and efficiency more than firefighting. Whether you’re the fire chief or merely in a leadership position, you need to encourage your team to operate quickly when responding to emergencies. Unsurprisingly, time usually isn’t on your side when responding to calls, so you need to do everything in your power to reduce your response time. If you’re looking for some tips for reducing firefighter response time,we’ve got you covered in the following guide; read on to learn more.
Require Frequent Training
Training is crucial in all professions, and firefighting is no different. Regardless of your crew members’ level of experience, they all should go through training on a regular basis. Training is your only opportunity to replicate an emergency and practice your response times along with the necessary procedures. If your crew consists of a lot of new firefighters, you probably won’t have a problem implementing more training. If your crew involves a lot of experienced firefighters, asking them to attend training may be more difficult, as they’re less likely to believe they need training. You know your team better than anyone else, so you can decide what the appropriate plan of action is.
Always Have Gear Ready
Every firefighter should have their personal protective equipment clean and ready to go within a moment’s notice. Each firefighter sets their equipment up differently, but they should be able to essentially step into their uniform. One way to do that is by inserting their boots inside their turnout pants, that way you can step directly into your boots and pull the pants up. Finding any way to reduce the number of steps can make a critical difference in your response time.
Ensure Technology Is Working for You
Although most fire stations have updated technology that signals an emergency, some older fire stations or smaller towns still have old technology. If you serve a small town or simply have an older firehouse, you should inspect the state of technology that’s in your station. Some older technology can’t keep pace with the modern equipment used at many dispatch centers. In other words, you want to make sure the technology in your station is providing prompt information as opposed to working against you.
By implementing these tips for reducing firefighter response time, you’re more likely to respond sooner and help someone in need faster. You can take away any possibility of interference or distraction when receiving calls. Moreover, ensure your team knows what to do with their gear before and after responding to an emergency to keep your crew healthy and safe.