All firefighters must pass the lOOl-I-II basic firefighter course at the State of Mississippi Fire Academy in Jackson, Mississippi within the first year of employment with the Meridian Fire Department. During the six week class the rookie firefighters will learn basic fire behavior and firefighting techniques. The course has a very strong academic background and all aspects of firefighting are taught and tested before being applied in a controlled live fire training atmosphere. The firefighters will stay in the dorm during the week and return home on the weekends.


Rookie firefighters training on barrel maze with face pieces blacked out.

All firefighters are trained to the first responder level in emergency medical treatment, and many are trained to the level of emergency medical technician. All firefighters are trained in CPR and the use of AED's (automatic external defibrillators). This is very important so we can provide advanced emergency care prior to the arrival of ambulance personnel.

Firefighters are trained in the use of rescue equipment employed in various rescue situations such as extricating victims of automobile accidents. Some of these tools are Jaws of Life, air bags, hydraulic rams, cutting tools, and rope rescue equipment. All of this equipment requires a special knowledge of how they work and what the result of their placement and usage in each unique situation will be.


Firefighter repelling in the tough "Smoke Diver" class at Mississippi State Fire Academy.

Firefighters are required to have passed different training courses to advance from being a firefighter up through the ranks in the fire service. These classes are given at the MS Fire Academy and delivered in-house by the department's full time Training Officer. In-house training is an ongoing daily task in the Meridian Fire Department.

After firefighters are trained in the above areas, they are encouraged to apply for other courses at the MS Fire Academy, National Fire Academy, and Meridian Community College. Some of the related areas of study include advanced firefighting and rescue techniques, Fire Officer and Leadership classes, Fire Prevention and Fire Code classes, and Administrative and Management courses. MCC offers a fire science degree.

 

 Firefighters training on pump operations to keep skills sharp.
Practicing pump operations with ladder truck. Firefighters must be able to set these trucks up very quickly.
Training Officer David Sharp goes over advanced pump operations with engine crew.
Senior Firefighters practice emergency driving techniques at training facilities.
Training Officer David Sharp teaching in house driver operator class.
Firefighters learning the dangers of energized power lines in cooperation with EMEPA.
Demonstration of power lines arcing when crossed, one of many dangers faced by firefighters.
Emergency responders from various agencies train with Meridian Firefighters.
Different scenarios are used to facilitate the various emergency situations often found by incident commanders. Dealing with these scenarios they learn how to best handle real life emergencies.
Hose is pressure tested yearly, and wet yearly, which means all of the hose is removed from the apparatus and inventoried 2 times a year. This does a number of things: lets us inspect the hose, wet the inside of the hose which helps to keep the hose from dry rotting and cracking, and reload the apparatus that helps to put fold in different places on the hose to help keep the hose from wearing or cracking in the bends.
Rookie Firefighters doing physical fitness training as part of their 1001-I-II basic firefighter training program.
Firefighters train for a passenger train derailment.