Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) places a strong emphasis on training and safety for all of our members. This month's division spotlight focuses on PF&R's firefighter recruit program. 

Firefighter trainees do not need to have any prior firefighting experience upon hire.  Typically PF&R hires firefighter trainees in groups of six. Firefighter trainees have many requirements to meet in order to successfully complete the trainee program and spend the first eight weeks learning basic fire department functions and safety practices.  During this period they are given 13 written tests and have to maintain an average of 76%. Trainees are also required to perform physical activity and continue passing the physical agility exam.  

When a successful group of firefighter trainees transitions into the recruit program they are normally joined by six firefighter recruits (who have previous firefighting experience) to form a class with 12 new recruit firefighters. During this process a recruit works a 40 hour work week for 16 weeks. The recruit is required to maintain an acceptable level of physical fitness and pass 20 written tests. All recruits also have to complete standard fire department hands on skills with a passing time.

After completing the recruit program, probationary firefighters are then assigned to Fire Station 2 and begin working a 24 hour shift.  They work one shift followed by two shifts off (24 hours on/48 hours off).  During this period of evaluation, probationary firefighters respond to emergency calls and are evaluated on their ability to function on the emergency scene.  All probationary firefighters at Station 2 are assigned a black fire helmet so they are easily identified on the drill grounds and at emergency scenes. Read full story...