New staff learning the trade of being a firefighter

This past Sunday afternoon, newer firefighters gathered to take their experience to the next level. New hires Alex and Alec were taught basic first aid and CPR. These are skills they can use immediately on scenes as the assist other EMTs. They will receive more advanced medical training (EMT) after the Allegan County Fire Academy graduation in June of 2025.

FF Zoey Hallam is one of the department’s newly certified BLS/CPR Instructors. Pics above and below show some of the basic skills that the students were shown.

At the conclusion of medical training, things ramped up out it the apparatus bay. Probationary FF Jacob Infante, who just finished his year of fire school and EMT, asked the training officer, “What’s next?” His eagerness is what we want to see in all our newer firefighters. After he ran through pump operations several times, he took the two newer guys through the basics of pump operations. Even though they are over a year from learning pump operations, they can be useful assisting at scenes around the engine. Do one, teach one is a great way to reinforce a person’s knowledge and understanding of a task.

The orange shield on the helmet signifies probationary firefighter. All new members wear this shield until they come off probationary status, which usually lasts 1 year. The orange color makes it easier to identify them on scene to ensure they are not assigned advanced tasks.

For more information on becoming a part-time paid-on-call firefighter, see the information and link on our “Our Team” page, under the About tab on the home page.