What to Expect when you start at the Portage Fire Department.

Fire Academy

After 11 weeks of intense training, the District 1 Career Academy has successfully completed its firefighter training program. During this program, participants were taught a variety of skills related to firefighting and rescue operations. They learned how to use bunker gear and safety equipment, how to identify hazardous materials, how to use ladders correctly, and how to operate self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Furthermore, they were also taught about building construction techniques and strategies for responding to various emergency situations. With the completion of this training program, participants are now fully prepared for their future roles as firefighters.

A Week of Days

Firefighters are an essential part of any city’s emergency response system. As such, they must be well-trained and familiar with the standard operating procedures and policies that govern their job. To ensure that they are prepared for any situation, a week-long orientation is necessary to review all of the relevant procedures and policies. Additionally, firefighters must also become familiar with the city map and areas in order to quickly respond to emergencies. This orientation will also go over the local hospitals and emergency response.

Station Rotation

Fire stations are a vital part of the firefighting profession, and it is important for new employees to become familiar with them as soon as possible. To ensure that new employees have the best chance at success, our fire department has implemented a rotation system for new hires. This rotation system allows new employees to get to know their crewmates, living quarters, and station life while also increasing their familiarity with the apparatus. By rotating through different stations and gaining hands-on experience with each one of them, the new employee will be able to gain a better understanding of how each station works and how they can best serve the Portage community.

Our Mentorship Program

At Portage Fire mentorship is an essential part of the training process for probationary firefighters. It helps them gain knowledge and experience in all areas related to firefighting, such as emergency response, dispatch communications, patient care and assessment, and fireground operations. Although all of the crews work together to training the new hire, each probationary firefighter is assigned a mentor.

Mentors provide guidance and support to their mentees during the orientation period and throughout their continued training. This ensures that the probationary firefighter is well-prepared for any situation they may encounter on the job. With a mentor’s help, new firefighters can learn how to effectively respond to emergencies, assess patient care needs, properly use equipment on the fireground, and communicate with dispatch centers. Firefighter mentorship is an invaluable tool that helps ensure that probationary firefighters are prepared for any situation they may face while out on duty.

Paramedic Class

Paramedics are an essential part of the Portage Fire Department. All new firefighters must be cross trained as paramedics in order to provide the best possible care during emergency situations. A few factors fall into play when sending our firefighters to paramedic class including availability of class enrollment as well as employee experience and performance.

Paramedic classes cover topics such as EKG, medications, IV and advanced airway management. The knowledge and skills gained through paramedic training can save lives and ensure that patients receive the best possible care. Paramedics also play an important role in disaster response and search and rescue operations. With their specialized skillset, paramedics can help restore order during chaotic situations and provide life-saving treatments to those who need it most.

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