Firefighters Taught Leadership and Emergency Response Skills

There has been an increase in fires, many of them cases of arson, occurring across the country.  It is causing the need for more firefighters to join the department. Today, twelve firemen completed a six-week course that taught them leadership skills and emergency response. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Training for firefighters has always been a critical component in the emergency services sector.  Preparing for what can take place during an inferno is among the many considerations being made by the National Fire Service.  As such, a total of twelve firemen have completed what is known as a leading firefighter course and today they were recognized by their peers, as well as the head of the National Emergency Management Organization.

Ted Smith

Ted Smith, Fire Chief

“The promotion course is a leading firefighter promotional course, that is the first stage to becoming an officer.  In truth our officers start from a substation officer, but they’re making the first stage to becoming an officer, they become a leading firefighter which is a rank higher than a firefighter and has much more responsibility than a firefighter.”

Reporter

“Do you have a need for firefighters at this point in time?”

Ted Smith

“Of course we have need.  Just last year also we ran a cadet officer course.  The fire service has need for leading firefighters, there are vacancies and we have the need for it.  They are for substation officers and we have the need for it, hence the reason why we are running these courses and trying to qualify these people to take on the additional responsibility because the need is there.”

Fireman Anthony Burgos has been with the department for the past nine years and the course he has taken over the last six weeks has prepared him for the added responsibility that comes with a new rank.

Anthony Burgos

Anthony Burgos, Certificating Candidate

“During that six week period many challenges were placed before us, giving us knowledge of how to be an exceptional leader in the department.  A few days into the course I realized that there was something special about this group, we were willing to push ourselves beyond our limits.  We stood together throughout the six weeks by helping each other during challenging times, times when we felt like giving up.  We consistently reminded each other that giving up is not an option, no matter how hard the task was.  The twelve of us had the utmost respect for each other and for the instructors as well, creating a healthy environment for learning.”

Minister Edmond Castro, whose portfolio includes oversight of the National Fire Service, reassured the department that despite a lack of resources, efforts are still being made to produce the best firefighters within the service.

Edmond Castro

Edmond Castro, NEMO Minister

“We may not have the best equipment, but you know we have soul, we have heart, we have determination and I am sure that the best firefighting team is what we are cultivating right here.  We’re training our people to be the best they could be and you guys could bet that I as the minister responsible for fire, national emergency, got unu back.  I will continue and I’d like to continue to see that we do more training because, as I said, the best team da right ya.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.