Firefighter Down – CPR Training
The Cherry Hill Fire Department saw a need and has adopted
the Firefighter Down Training Program originally created by FD – CPR and has
developed it based on our needs, equipment and resources.
Exercise, proper nutrition and proper sleep are paramount to
decreasing preventable disease and ensure that we are prepared to help the
community at any time no matter what we are called out for. Over the past
2 years, there have been multiple deaths of Firefighters and EMT’s in
surrounding towns, even affecting our own department. This training
program is structured so in the event of sudden cardiac arrest in a
firefighter, with full turnout gear on and breathing air from a SCBA bottle, we
are prepared. We cover recognition of cardiac arrest,
initiating compressions, efficient removal of gear, evaluation the etiology of
the arrest, continued CPR and re-evaluation until transport to the emergency
department is initiated. Each firefighter in the CHFD was trained in the
resuscitation techniques and training will be a continued practice amongst each
company.
In 2012, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
published a study showing the leading causes of death among on duty
firefighters 45 years old and younger. There were 81 fatalities reported,
39 of them caused by a heart attack.
The Cherry Hill Fire Department saw a need and has adopted
the Firefighter Down Training Program originally created by FD – CPR and has
developed it based on our needs, equipment and resources.
Cardiac disease has many risk factors associated with it
including but not limited to lack of exercise, poor nutritional habits,
irregular sleep patterns, obesity and medical conditions such as high blood
pressure. Through the training program, firefighters are made aware
that emergency service providers work schedules that revolve around these poor
habits and that it is time we think about ourselves, our brotherhood and our
families.
