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Fire Department Training: Balancing EMS and Fire Response

Fire Department Training: Balancing EMS and Fire Response

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The crew debates a firehouse classic: If most of our calls are EMS, should most of our training be EMS? With departments running 80%+ medical calls in many areas, is it time to shift focus—or double down on fire because it’s high-risk and low-frequency?

  • EMS isn’t going anywhere.
    Call volume continues trending heavily medical. Fires are decreasing due to prevention, codes, and education.

  • Train for high-acuity on both sides.
    Even if you run EMS daily, you still need reps on cardiac arrests, strokes, trauma, airway management, and rare presentations. Same logic as training for low-frequency, high-risk fire incidents.

  • Service is service.
    Whether it’s a working structure fire or grandma on the floor, we’re there to solve problems. The public expects professionalism no matter the call type.

  • Jack of all trades? Good.
    The fire service is an all-hazards profession. Being competent across fire, EMS, rescue, and prevention is the job.

  • For new firefighters:
    You’re signing up for both. You’ll pull hose and you’ll run 12-leads. Train hard at both.

  • New Engineer Tier Patreon members: Simon Gray & Ty Rowan

  • Turnout Drill Wheel Winner: Simon Gray

  • Merch shoutout + FDIC Burn Box teaser

  • Road to 1,000 Spotify followers

Bottom line:
EMS vs. fire isn’t either/or. It’s both. Train accordingly.


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