Fire

Fire suppression is the area of firefighting that most people think of when they discuss fire department operations. Fire suppression is only the basis of the job.

To be a certified firefighter, firefighters are required to obtain the 400-Hour Kentucky Certified Firefighter as required by the Kentucky State Fire Commission.

20-Hour Requirements
150-Hour Requirements
400-Hour Requirements

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

All full-time SFD firefighters are required to obtain and maintain EMT certification for employment. Emergency Medical Technicians are certified by completing medical training that is regulated by the Kentucky Board of EMS and the National Department of Transportation Emergency Medical Technician Program. Several firefighters maintain a higher National Registry Emergency Medical Technician.

SFD assists local Emergency Medical Service (EMS) in responding on all in-district:

• Car wrecks with injuries — providing vehicle stabilization, patient extrication, basic life support and scene security
• Unresponsive patients — providing basic life support (CPR, AED, Airway, C-spine stabilization, patient packaging)
• Limited or no-access — gaining access either by special entry or forcible entry

Responding to a need to have a Trench Rescue team closer to Somerset because of the number of construction projects in the area, SFD created its own Trench Rescue program.

Previously, should a below-grade rescue be needed the nearest trench team available to assist was several hours away.

Due to OSHA standards, a firefighter responding to such an incident cannot enter a below-grade situation without proper training, proper documentation, and proper equipment.

A responder certified in Trench Rescue must attend a 40-hour course to become certified and maintain an 8-hour update yearly.

All rescue and firefighting personnel are to be properly trained to perform duties as an airport firefighter as specified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

An airport firefighter must be trained prior to the initial performance of rescue and firefighting duties and receive recurrent instruction every 12 consecutive calendar months. An airport firefighter must be able to obtain and continue training in the following areas:

• Airport familiarization, including airport signs, marking, and lighting
• Aircraft familiarization
• Rescue and firefighting personnel safety
• Emergency communications systems on the airport, including fire alarms
• Use of the fire hoses, nozzles, turrets, and other appliances required for compliance with the FAA
• Application of the types of extinguishing agents required for compliance with this part
• Emergency aircraft evacuation assistance
• Firefighting operations. Adapting and using structural rescue and firefighting equipment for aircraft rescue and firefighting.
• Aircraft cargo hazards, including hazardous materials/dangerous goods incidents.
• Familiarization with firefighters’ duties under the airport emergency plan.

In addition to all of the above training, all rescue and firefighting personnel must participate in at least one live-fire drill prior to initial performance of rescue and firefighting duties and every 12 consecutive calendar months.