The IAFF Center of Excellence (COE) recently hosted a Fire Ops 101 training at its Maryland facility, allowing 36 clinicians and staff members to participate in hands-on exercises that replicate the real-life challenges faced by firefighters and rescue personnel.
The training aimed to help clinicians gain a practical understanding of the physical and emotional demands of fire and rescue work, which COE’s behavioral health clinical coordinator, Lauren Kosc, says is essential for supporting IAFF members effectively.
Kosc emphasized the importance of cultural awareness and appreciation for the fire service: “They have a lot of choices in where they can work, but they come here to serve those who serve others,” she said, noting that the exercises provide COE clinicians with valuable insights into typical fireground and rescue activities.
Participants were divided into groups for morning and afternoon training sessions, each led by Local 1619 members and IAFF Behavioral Health staff.
The training included three scenarios designed to mirror real-life firefighting challenges, as explained by Mike Wells, vice president of Local 1619 and a 4th District Behavioral Health Committee member.
Wells outlined the scenarios: “Today, we ran three scenarios. First, participants followed a hose line through a structure while wearing SCBA masks, experiencing the force of the water at the nozzle.
“The second scenario focused on search and rescue where teams of two in SCBA navigated a smoky environment with fireground sounds to find a victim,” he said.
The final simulation involved medical emergencies, where teams responded to trauma, diabetes, and cardiac cases.
The Fire Ops 101 simulations were modified to avoid live fire exposure, reducing health risks for participants.
To prevent contact with PFAS chemicals, firefighting bunker gear was excluded from the exercises.
Clinicians instead used standard equipment to simulate field conditions without the added hazards.
David Thomas, the site CEO for the COE, participated in the training and spoke about the experience: “I just took the direction of the lead instructors (Local 1619 members), and they really were just incredible,” he said, expressing appreciation for the gear preparation and the importance of learning rescue techniques.
Thomas highlighted the parallels between the teamwork required on the fireground and in healthcare, describing the complexities of effective communication under stressful conditions.
The training also gave clinicians a window into the emotional demands firefighters face, especially during high-stress scenarios.
IAFF COE Family Clinician Darlene Waldt shared her experience, discussing the difficulty of navigating intense situations and communicating under pressure.
“It was frustrating because I didn’t get to accomplish the goals that I felt like I wanted to,” Waldt said, expressing the challenge of working within structured roles during the simulations.
She added that it was eye-opening to recognize the importance of “resetting” after such experiences and the difficulty firefighters may face in returning to normal family life after a demanding shift.
The IAFF Center of Excellence recently conducted Fire Ops 101 training for 36 clinicians at its Maryland facility, designed to help staff gain a practical understanding of the firefighting experience.
Participants, guided by Local 1619 and IAFF Behavioral Health staff, engaged in various realistic scenarios to simulate the physical and emotional demands faced by firefighters.
The exercises included tasks such as navigating smoke-filled environments, operating hose lines, and responding to simulated medical emergencies, all without live fire or firefighting bunker gear to ensure safety.
The training was intended to improve the clinicians’ cultural awareness of fire service members and enhance their empathy and practical skills in serving IAFF members.
