As firefighters we spend a large part of our careers learning our craft. Some learn from the start and keep it going throughout their careers. Others think that from the academy they learned what was necessary and only continue their learning when they have to, i.e., mandatory department training. Across the country, there are often local, regional and national conferences with excellent speakers, instructors and often, “Hot Classes,” too! Yet, how many of us have attended a class to learn how to interface with the people we protect? 

My guest today is Chris Kessinger the founder of Citizens First Fire Training in Ohio. From their website, we see part of their mission statement:

            “Our training and tactics are designed to put the citizens in which we serve as number one and to be the difference in saving their lives when they call us.”

One of our best fire service leaders, the late Chief Alan V. Brunacini of the Phoenix Fire Dept., taught, “Our job is to care for Mrs. Smith on her worst day – even if that day, the problem is her cat is in a tree!”

Chris shares with us the concept behind the nearly nineteen years of success for his company and how they custom tailor each and every class to serve the specific needs of the department hiring them. It is a unique and successful process that many of us can and should learn to do the same!

You can reach Chris and his team at: https://www.citizensfirstfiretraining.com/ 

For the Firefighter Behavioral Health Initiative: If you need mental health assistance, you can reach out to the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance at their website: www.ffbha.org at 847-209-8208 or [email protected] or you can text the word, “BADGE” to 741741, or speak with your officer or clergy. THERE ARE ALWAYS PEOPLE WHO WANT TO HELP YOU!

Take a listen – you just might learn something. 

As always, you can catch the video version on our YouTube® channel, 5-Alarm Task Force Corp., and listen to the audio version on our Podomatic page at https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/dalmatprod206  or tune in to the audio version on our website, www.5-AlarmTaskForceCoorp.org or on your favorite podcast platform!

This work, Photo Essay: Fort McCoy firefighters train to save people clinging to ice with surface ice rescue training, by Scott Sturkol, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.