Fire Safety - The Commitment

Training Programs

The goal of constant training is preparedness. From ice rescue training in the winter to high angle rescue in the spring, all firefighters are in training three nights a month. EMS personnel train an additional night each month. Refresher courses in HAZMAT OPERATIONS and Blood Borne Pathogens are required yearly. Each firefighter who is SCBA certified must pass a yearly FEAT (Firefighter Encounter Agility Test). The test consists of an obstacle course that each firefighter must complete in full gear in seven minutes and fifty seconds or less.

In addition to our own department training sessions, most of our personnel have taken formal training at the Fire Academy in Firefighter Levels I and/or II. Many of our members are professionally trained firefighters with EMT certification as well.

Firefighter Level I training requires two nights per week of classroom training for five months and many full weekends of practical training totaling 200 hours. Firefighter Level II training requires an additional three months of classroom and practical training for another 140 hours. To become a fulltime career firefighter you must pass all the previous as well the states mandated CPAT test (Candidate Physical Ability Test), written examination, aerial climb and C2F2 (certified career Firefighter) two week course at the NH Fire Academy in Concord, New Hampshire.

EMT Basic training requires a commitment to 140 hours which includes classes two nights a week for five months. In addition eight hours of clinical time is expected. Intermediates must complete an additional five months of training and 32 more hours of clinical time. Paramedics attend classes one full day per week (part time ) for 18 months and must participate in 600 hours of clinical training.

Each member makes these commitments in order to serve the community of Kingston. We like the challenge, the teamwork and the closely knit family atmosphere that exists at Kingston Fire. It is the backbone of what makes Kingston Fire a great community service department.