Ignite Your 2022 Training Plans with Our Top 10 Firefighter Training Courses

It's February, and if we're being honest with ourselves, that New Year's resolution we committed to is probably already forgotten. Whether it was to drink less caffeine, exercise more, or finally finish that project, following through on any well-intentioned plan can be challenging. Don't let the same thing happen to your 2022 training plans.

The Vector LMS training management system empowers fire departments to fully activate, monitor, and manage training for their members from hire to retire. With 450+ hours of fire department training and 250+ hours of CAPCE-accredited EMS continuing education, you can easily keep all your members on track to reach their training and compliance goals.

Our comprehensive catalog of online firefighting training is designed to meet the needs of today's fire service, covering a wide array of mission-critical topics, including emergency vehicle operations, wildland firefighting safety, and courses that align with NFPA codes and standards. A great place to start is right here with our top 10 firefighter training courses to ignite your 2022 training plans.

1. NFPA 1500 Bloodborne Pathogens Safety (1 hour)

Firefighter/EMTs, firefighter/paramedics, fire lieutenants, fire chiefs, and all other EMS providers and healthcare workers are at risk for exposure to bloodborne pathogens (BBPs). This course reviews the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard and requirements and some of the diseases associated with BBP occupational exposures.

2. NFPA 1500 Respiratory Protection (1 hour)

The objective of this training course is to provide basic information on the selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective devices so that they may be used in a safe and effective manner.

3. NFPA 1500 Hazard Communication (1 hour)
Exposure to hazardous chemicals can present numerous dangers to workers. More than 32 million workers are exposed to one or more chemical hazards across various industrial sectors. OSHA's hazard communication standard is designed to ensure the information about these dangers is shared with those who need to know. This course covers OSHA's hazard communication standard with an emphasis on what it is and how to comply. It also provides guidelines to help prevent chemical hazard incidents and the adverse health effects that may result.

4. NFPA 1500 Confined Space Entry (1 hour)

As a firefighter, you may be exposed to the hazards associated with confined space operations. This course will teach you how to recognize symptoms of hazard exposure in a confined space, how to respond to those hazards, what equipment needs to be available in confined spaces, and emergency response protocol.

5. NFPA 1500 Advanced HAZWOPER Awareness (MODS #1-4, 2 hours each)

Even with the best prevention methods in place, hazardous materials incidents are bound to happen. Understanding the nature of the hazardous materials you work with and how to respond to an incident or potential incident will help you quickly manage a dangerous situation and minimize damage done to persons, the environment, and facilities. Learn more about advanced Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) awareness in this four-part training program.

6. NFPA 1001 Ground Ladders (1 hour)

Ladders are a vital component on the fire ground and during rescue operations. Fire department personnel must be knowledgeable in the design, characteristics, and proper use of fire department ladders. This course highlights the types of ladders used in fire operations, how to maintain those ladders, and how to safely carry and place ladders. Fireground safety best practices are reviewed, as well as the rationale behind ladder failure due to metal fatigue and heat exposure.

7. NFPA 1851 - Cancer-Related Risks of Firefighting (2 hours)

This course, which is guided by NFPA® 1851, Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting (2014), aims to provide a thorough understanding of fire-service-related cancer risks for today's firefighters and fire personnel. The importance of turnout gear care, maintenance, and inspections will be stressed, along with your responsibilities for proper decontamination, isolation, and reporting of issues.

8. Defensive Driving for Emergency Vehicle Operators (1 hour)

This course is aimed at preparing emergency vehicle operators for encountering potential hazards on the roadway. It follows a three-fold approach by encouraging drivers to anticipate, recognize, and respond to driving hazards. Within this framework, topics covered include principles of defensive driving, the need for driving defensively, practical instruction on how to drive defensively, instruction on maintaining a safety zone perimeter around the driver's vehicle, and effective braking distance.

9. Safe Backing for Emergency Vehicle Drivers (1 hour)

Statistics confirm that backing an emergency vehicle is one of the most dangerous driving activities. While they are seldom serious in terms of injury or death, they do account for a significant portion of overall damage costs. This course focuses on the various safety precautions and techniques for backing safely in a number of situations. Topics such as safe backing procedures, using a spotter, blind spots, and adjusting mirrors are covered.

10. RT-130: Annual Wildland Fire Safety Refresher (MOD #1-4, 2 hours each)

Wildfire season is becoming longer and more difficult year after year. Situational awareness is a key survival strategy in wildland firefighting. Knowing what is around you and making quick decisions can make the difference between life and death. This wildland fire safety refresher training provides firefighters the opportunity to review both the fundamentals of wildland fire firefighting and critical hazards and safety strategies in wildland operations and is updated annually with new case studies and relevant information to help crews continually prevent wildfires and optimize safety.

Stay tuned for our top 10 EMS continuing education courses in an upcoming article. Peruse our entire catalog of over 250 accredited EMS courses here.

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