Volunteering and multifunctionality: how American firefighters differ from Russian ones

Ambulance doctors, firefighters and rescuers in the United States are not divided into different departments and de facto belong to the same service, called 911. Moreover, most of the rescuers working in the United States do not receive salaries and go to calls in their free work time. This is stated in the video. "Voices of America".

Photo: Shutterstock

“Nationwide, there are more than 1,1 million firefighters, of which 750-800 thousand are volunteers, and the remaining 300-350 thousand are professional rescuers,” says Sean Stokes, chief of the Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire Dep.

Almost everyone can become a volunteer lifeguard in the United States, there is no age limit. True, for this it is necessary to pass a physical training exam, as well as a course of study. After about six months, students receive a paramedic diploma.

“At this stage, you decide whether you want to be just a paramedic and focus on first aid and work in an ambulance, or also be a firefighter. If you want to be a firefighter, then you enter the fire academy for 6 months, ”said Adam Searle, volunteer firefighter.

According to rescuers, calls for fires or accidents account for less than a third of incoming calls, says Gus Sawacki, a normal US Marine Corps officer and rescuer on weekends.

“About 70% of incoming calls concern ambulance calls. I have been trained as a paramedic and perform complex resuscitation procedures: intubation, install droppers, dispense a wide range of medications, do an electrocardiogram, ”Savatsky shares his experience.

Among the volunteers there are many immigrants, for example Adam Searle, who by the way works for five days at a bank, is from the UK, and Nigin Asadi is from Iran. There is only one requirement.

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“Having US citizenship or a green card is required due to the required background checks. We are especially trusted by the community because we visit other people's homes, ”says Sean Stokes.

Knowledge of a foreign language is an advantage, as rescuers regularly receive calls from people who do not speak English.

“I am Iranian, the patient spoke only Farsi, and I was able to understand him and speak to him,” Nigin Asadi tells the story.

Volunteer rescuers often work on weekends, in their free time, or provide insurance for colleagues in the evenings on weekdays.

“Due to COVID-19, the shifts were significantly reduced, but whenever possible I tried to take at least 8-10 hours a week, each shift can last 6-12 hours, depending on where we are. I try to borrow as many hours as possible, ”says Nigin.

To supplement the fire department's budget, volunteer rescuers often send out letters asking for donations or organize a lotto for local residents. With the funds received, rescuers are updating equipment and maintaining equipment in order to fulfill their main mission - to come to the aid of those in need.

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