“ We have so many different things that we are responsible for and so many types of calls for service that we have to take ,” said Josh Thompson , training coordinator for the Jeffersonville Fire Department .
“ We have to be honed-in with our skills . When somebody picks up the phone and dials 911 , they expect somebody competent to show up and help them or take care of their problem , and the best way to be proficient at this job is to do constant training .”
Thompson — who has been on the Jeffersonville department for almost 11 years with 23 years total service as a firefighter — said there are several different levels and types of training .
New recruits hired by the department go through a seven-week academy where they learn basic firefighting skills and policies . They complete the necessary classes to be certified as a firefighter through the state .
“ Beyond that , we do monthly company-level training where we bring the entire department , or each individual engine or ladder company , in to do a specific type of training ,” Thompson said .
“ That would include anything from ice rescue to road rescue to confined-space firefighting as well as water rescue , hazardous materials and emergency medical training .”
JEFFERSONVILLE FIREFIGHTERS CONDUCT SEVERAL HOURS OF TRAINING ANNUALLY FOCUSED ON MULTIPLE RESPONSE SITUATIONS .
Jeffersonville Fire Department / 150 years 17