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SFFD FIRE RESERVE TRAINING
Eligibility
New members of the
San
Francisco Fire Reserve (FR) must attend the
FR training
academy. The six month FR academy consists of two-hour long training classes held every Thursday evening. The academy meets at the Division of Training, and 100%
attendance is required. For admission to the academy, applicants must meet the
following criteria:
1) Possession of a valid California Driver's license.
2) Proof of San Francisco residency.
3) Achieve a passing score on the Fire Reserve oral interview.
4) Pass a SFFD background investigation.
5) Must not have any disability which might interfere with the performance of duty as a member of the Fire Reserve.
1) Possession of a valid California Driver's license.
2) Proof of San Francisco residency.
3) Achieve a passing score on the Fire Reserve oral interview.
4) Pass a SFFD background investigation.
5) Must not have any disability which might interfere with the performance of duty as a member of the Fire Reserve.
6) Must have current
EMT-1
certification as well as a current CPR card (American Red Cross BLS
Healthcare Provider Course or the Red Cross CPR
for the Professional Rescuer course).
Though not requited, coursework in Fire
Science/Technology programs is also encouraged.
Please check the contact page of this website for announcements of membership openings.
Please check the contact page of this website for announcements of membership openings.
Fire Reserve Academy Training Curriculum
Because of the
breadth of
responsibility as well the uniqueness of SFFD equipment and protocols, all
San Francisco Fire Reservists must complete a six month FR training
academy before being allowed to work at an emergency incident. The FR
academy offers training in the basic equipment, skills, and protocols used
by the SFFD. The FR academy follows an highly abridged curriculum of the regular SFFD basic fire academy. Topics covered in the academy include:
SFFD Fundamentals
1) SFFD and SFFD Fire Reserve organization and operations
2) Basic fire science including fire behavior and building construction
3) SFFD apparatus including engines and trucks
4) City of San Francisco water supply systems
A) Low and high pressure hydrants
B) Emergency water supply systems
5) Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) operation,
use, and maintenance
6) SFFD fire extinguisher operation and maintenance,
including water, CO2, and dry chemical
SFFD Engine Company Equipment and Skills
1) Hose
A) Small (1.75-in) and large (3-in) line engine hose loads
B) Small and large line leads into buildings,
including the use of wyes and Gorters
C) Standpipe leads
D) Hose rolls including doughnut rolls and high-rise hose packs
2) Fittings and nozzles
3) Hydrant connections
A) Low pressure hydrant connections including hydrant jumpers
B) High pressure hydrant connections
including Gleason valve use and operation
4) Live fire training
SFFD Truck Company Equipment and Skills
1) Raising, lowering, and use of SFFD wood ladders
including the 22'-fire escape, 24'-straight, and 35'-extension ladder
2) Forcible entry tools
3) Ropes and knots
4) Search and rescue
SFFD Fundamentals1) SFFD and SFFD Fire Reserve organization and operations
2) Basic fire science including fire behavior and building construction
3) SFFD apparatus including engines and trucks
4) City of San Francisco water supply systems
A) Low and high pressure hydrants
B) Emergency water supply systems
5) Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) operation,
use, and maintenance
6) SFFD fire extinguisher operation and maintenance,
including water, CO2, and dry chemical
SFFD Engine Company Equipment and Skills
1) Hose
A) Small (1.75-in) and large (3-in) line engine hose loads
B) Small and large line leads into buildings,
including the use of wyes and Gorters
C) Standpipe leads
D) Hose rolls including doughnut rolls and high-rise hose packs
2) Fittings and nozzles
3) Hydrant connections
A) Low pressure hydrant connections including hydrant jumpers
B) High pressure hydrant connections
including Gleason valve use and operation
4) Live fire training
SFFD Truck Company Equipment and Skills
1) Raising, lowering, and use of SFFD wood ladders
including the 22'-fire escape, 24'-straight, and 35'-extension ladder
2) Forcible entry tools
3) Ropes and knots
4) Search and rescue
Additional Training
Upon the successful
completion
of the academy, Reserve Trainees join FR Companies as probationary
Reserve Firefighters. Weekly drills strengthen and build
upon topics covered in the academy. As part of a regular
company,
Fire Reservists learn more advanced fire tactics, practice search and
rescue, participate in regular EMS refresher
training, and visit specialized SFFD facilities and apparatus such as
the fireboats and airport division.
Fire Reservists have access to additional training including: pump operations, 5"-portable hydrant drills and deployment, aerial truck operations, and occasional specialized classes such as surf rescue. Fire Reservists are provided with an invaluable opportunity to participate in regular ride-alongs with SFFD medic, engine, and truck companies.
Fire Reservists have access to additional training including: pump operations, 5"-portable hydrant drills and deployment, aerial truck operations, and occasional specialized classes such as surf rescue. Fire Reservists are provided with an invaluable opportunity to participate in regular ride-alongs with SFFD medic, engine, and truck companies.
Equipment
All
Fire Reservists are issued complete personal protective equipment (PPE)
including turnout coats and pants, boots, helmets, gloves, and Nomex
hoods. Fire Reservists are readily distinguished on the fireground by their
yellow turnout coats.
The
Fire Reserve is assigned use of a Relief Apparatus (RA) triple
combination
pumper. Currently the FR operates and
drills with Station 35's Relief Engine, a 1988 1500gpm 3-D pumper on a Mack CF chassis with a 1500gpm Hale pump and a 500 gallon booster tank powered by a 350hp Mack-Scania Diesel engine.
Fireground Duties
A
major responsibility of the
Fire Reserve is to report to an incident and assist the SFFD when a
third-alarm or greater is struck by the SFFD Incident Commander (IC).
The Fire Reserve is alerted by SFFD computer-assisted dispatch (CAD)
via pagers.
At the fireground, arriving Fire Reservists muster at the
Mobile
Air Unit/ Service Squad. The ranking Fire Reservist then reports to the
IC, informing the IC of the number of Reservists present and receiving
any commands or orders for the Fire Reserve to execute. In the event of
a large-scale Citywide event such as an earthquake, Fire Reservists
report to the Division of Training at 2310 Folsom Street to receive
duty assignments from the SFFD.
Duties on the
fireground can
vary widely depending on the size of the incident and the needs of the
IC. However, common FR tasks include refilling and running SCBA bottles
for the Mobile
Air Unit, running equipment and supplies, assisting with ladders, salvage and overhaul, and rolling and loading hose.
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