GAINESVILLE - Chad Black, Hall County Deputy Fire Chief, says the current batch of recruits for the Hall County Fire Department is on the larger side, with 31 trainees in the program.
But they don't always train alone.
The future fire fighters also train alongside the future employees of the Hall County Sheriff's Department, learning the skills it takes to be a first responder in a week-long class that encompasses 48 total hours of training.
"(They learn) basic first-aid, recognizing injuries, how to treat (injuries), things that they can do to make a difference if they arrive on scene," said Black.
Firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) use these skills frequently, but sheriff's deputies utilize them in case they arrive at an accident scene before the fire trucks or ambulances get there, something could be the difference between life or death.
"Just last week there was a wreck in North Hall that had a small child trapped in a vehicle. Two of Hall County's deputies arrived before (the fire department) arrived, and were able to get in the car with her, console her ... but if that child had needed her airway opened, it would have been a whole different scene," said Black.
Those deputies will now be trained to help in such a situation, should an accident scene be more urgent in terms of medical needs.
They will also learn how to help psychologically in times of crisis--consoling if need be.
"Probably a better word than console is 'bedside manner' that we used to use for doctors years ago. That can make all the difference in the world, showing that you care, you have compassion. Those officers crawling up under a car, they're not required to do that," said Black.
The Deputy Chief said more of this cross-training will happen in the future, making sure all departments are as ready as possible for any sort of crisis that comes their way.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/10/344986/bvideob-hall-co-fire-sheriffs-departments-cross-train-recruits-to-help-both-physically-mentally