The Hanoi-based University of Fire Prevention and Fighting is the leading school for training firefighters and rescue workers. To become a firefighter, a student must go through tough and harsh exercises in the field during four years of study.
The exercises include swinging on upper floors, climbing the ladder with an oxygen tank, or rescuing people in special conditions (smoke, toxic gas or lack of oxygen…) that require firefighters to practice regularly.
To climb to a high floor, the students must prepare oxygen tanks, gas masks, ladders and hose reels. To approach the floor where the fire breaks out, each practitioner is required to carry a 12 kg oxygen tank and a fire hose reel on his shoulder.
In this exercise, the students must have good physical strength and breathing techniques to maximize the oxygen supply in combating the fire.
When climbing down the ladder, the students must keep their body close to the ladder with both legs leaning against the sides to prevent the ladder from shaking and to avoid slipping.
Colonel Pham Van Nam, vice president of the University, says the students are trained in different dangerous conditions, i.e. there is no light, or they work in a narrow space, on upper floors, or with lot of smoke and toxic gas.
Through training, firefighters must grasp basic skills to ensure their own safety to organize rescue work more safely and effectively, says Colonel Nam.
On the spot, the students must coordinate smoothly with their teammates, keep a distance and hold the fire hose reel firmly to approach the fire. Everything should be done in the shortest time to minimize human and property losses.
Student Vu Truong An, 20, says the profession requires firefighters to have willpower, bravery and courage to surmount difficulties to save people.
“The students in the school are mainly boys and I sometimes feel discouraged,” says Ngoc Ha, a female student. “However, with support and encouragement of friends and teachers, I gradually feel confident and become more mature.”
. In addition to honing firefighting skills, each situation is considered a battle of wits for trainees, requiring them to quickly grasp the situation, make decisions and handle it in time.
. Practicing regularly will help the students acquire professional skills as well as real-life experience to become real firefighters in future.
