The Advantages of Fire Brigade Standard Operating Procedures

Written by Hank Clemmensen, Fire Chief, Ret.

Executive Summary

Fire Brigade Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are procedures that provide a structured framework to govern operational, administrative, and safety-related activities. In high-risk, high-consequence environments such as emergency response, SOPs are essential for ensuring consistency, accountability, and effectiveness. Fire Brigades of all types and sizes often find themselves reacting to incidents without a consistent response plan. Firefighters may use different terminology. Apparatus may arrive in a disorganized fashion. Tasks may be duplicated or not get done at all. This isn’t a personnel problem; it’s a planning problem. Highly capable crews can struggle to perform without integrated SOPs that reflect local risks, resources and expectations. Effective planning aligns daily operations, staffing models, training, dispatch protocols, and fireground execution. This white paper examines the strategic, operational and organizational advantages of implementing and maintaining well-designed SOPs within fire brigades.

From Burn Survivor to Prevention Advocate: Together We Can Prevent Burns

by José Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri, Fire Safety Officer

Burn prevention is not the responsibility of one profession or organization. It requires the combined efforts of survivors, firefighters, medical professionals, schools, government agencies and communities.

Prevention Is Better Than Treatment

Burn care professionals see the extraordinary work required to help someone recover after a serious injury. Treatment may involve prolonged hospitalization, painful procedures, surgery, rehabilitation and lasting physical and emotional scars.

Burn injuries can also result in missed school, lost income and significant financial strain for individuals and families. Their effects can continue long after the physical wounds have healed.

Prevention offers another path.

When people understand common fire and burn hazards, they can make their homes and kitchens safer. When children learn how to respond during a fire, schools become better prepared. When communities organize around fire safety, lives can be protected before an emergency occurs.

Treating burn injuries is essential, but preventing burns whenever possible must be a shared priority.

Together We Prevent Burns

No single organization can create a burn-free world alone. Different contributions are needed from across the community:

• Burn survivors bring essential lived experience and a powerful voice for change.

• Plastic surgeons and other medical professionals treat injuries, restore lives and provide hope.

• Firefighters respond to emergencies while also helping communities understand and reduce risks.

• Schools equip children with knowledge that can protect them and their families.

• Youth champions can influence behaviors and become leaders in their communities.

• Community groups identify local risks and help ensure that prevention efforts reflect local realities.

• Government agencies establish policies, provide leadership and invest in prevention.

• The media expands the reach of lifesaving safety messages.

• NGOs connect partners, support communities and help turn ideas into sustained action.

• Regulatory agencies promote the safe use of LPG and other household energy sources.

Each partner brings a different form of knowledge, influence or experience. Together, we can build safer homes, stronger communities and a culture in which fire and burn prevention becomes everyone’s responsibility.

Turning Prevention into Community Action

There are many practical ways that collaboration can become action.

Gas cylinder safety education can help families learn to check for leaks, use cylinders in well-ventilated spaces, keep them upright and store them away from heat. Home safety visits can identify electrical hazards, unsafe cooking practices, improperly stored flammable materials and homes without a clear escape plan.

School fire prevention programs can teach children how to recognize hazards, respond to an alarm and evacuate safely. Youth training can equip young people with practical skills while preparing them to become fire safety leaders.

Community resilience groups can organize residents, identify neighborhood risks and strengthen local emergency preparedness. Public awareness campaigns can then carry these lessons to a much wider audience.

These approaches reflect Africa Fire Mission’s broader model: equip local people with knowledge and skills, support them as they teach others and build lasting prevention capacity within the community.

Survivor Voices Must Be Part of the Solution

Survivors understand the consequences of fire in ways that statistics alone cannot communicate. Their experiences can identify gaps in existing prevention efforts, shape more relevant solutions and inspire others to take safety seriously.

Supporting survivors means helping them heal and rebuild their lives. It also means recognizing them as leaders, educators and advocates whose voices can help prevent future injuries.

What Can We Do Together?

A challenge to everyone involved in burn care and fire safety:

Strengthen prevention education. Support burn survivors. Promote safer homes and kitchens. Improve gas safety awareness. Build partnerships. Listen to survivor voices.

Every organization and every community has a role.

Learn More:

To learn more about Africa Fire Mission’s fire prevention programs and opportunities to partner with us, visit www.AfricaFireMission.org.

To learn more about José’s personal story, watch this video.

Africa Fire Mission’s José Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri brought a deeply personal message to the annual conference of the Kenya Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons in Mombasa, Kenya in August 2026. This article is a summary of the presentation.

About the Author

José Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri serves as a fire safety officer and prevention advocate, but his commitment to this work began with his own experience as a burn survivor. During his presentation, “From Burn Survivor to Prevention Advocate,” he shared how that experience shaped his life and inspired him to turn pain into purpose, scars into action and personal experience into prevention.

Image note: Images in this article were created with the assistance of artificial intelligence to illustrate fire and burn-prevention concepts. They are illustrative and do not depict actual people, incidents or locations.

Fueling the Frontline: Why Nutrition Is a Strategic Priority for Africa’s Firefighters

Firefighting is among the most physically and mentally demanding professions. Across Africa, firefighters routinely operate in extreme heat, resource constrained settings, and prolonged emergency conditions. In this context, nutrition should not be viewed as a personal lifestyle choice, but as a strategic component of operational readiness, safety, and workforce resilience.

Nutrition as a Performance Enabler

Firefighters depend on sustained strength, endurance, and mental clarity to perform critical tasks, including equipment handling, rescue operations, and rapid decision‑making under pressure. Diets that provide adequate energy, protein, and micronutrients are essential to maintaining physical capacity and reducing fatigue during long or repeated deployments.

Poor nutrition, by contrast, contributes to reduced stamina, slower reaction times, and impaired judgment factors that directly increase operational risk. Ensuring access to balanced meals is therefore a matter of performance management, not convenience.

Cognitive Readiness and Decision‑Making.

Emergency response environments demand precision, focus, and sound judgment. Nutritional deficiencies are known to affect concentration, mood stability, and stress tolerance. For firefighters working in high‑risk scenarios, even minor lapses in attention can have dire consequences.

Consistent access to nutrient‑dense foods supports cognitive function, helping firefighters remain alert, decisive, and emotionally regulated throughout extended operations.

Health Protection in High‑Exposure Environments

Firefighters are routinely exposed to smoke, toxins, extreme heat, and infectious agents. Nutrition plays a critical role in supporting immune function, reducing susceptibility to illness, and accelerating recovery after exposure.

Hydration and electrolyte balance are particularly vital in hot climates, where dehydration and heat stress pose ongoing threats to health and performance. Integrating hydration strategies into daily routines is a practical and cost‑effective risk‑reduction measure.

Long‑Term Workforce Sustainability

Beyond immediate operational demands, nutrition contributes to long‑term health outcomes. Balanced diets help manage body weight, support bone strength, and reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes ailments that disproportionately affect emergency responders over time.

By prioritizing nutrition, fire services can reduce injury rates, improve career longevity, and limit the long‑term health costs associated with the profession.

Team Cohesion and Operational Safety

Well-nourished teams are safer and more effective. Fatigue‑related errors decline, coordination improves, and morale is strengthened. In many fire stations, shared meals also serve as a mechanism for reinforcing teamwork, communication, and mutual accountability critical elements during high‑pressure emergency responses.

Conclusion

Nutrition is one of the most underutilized yet impactful tools available to fire services. For African firefighters operating under demanding conditions, investing in balanced meals, hydration, and nutritional education is not a luxury, it is an operational necessity.

Fueling the frontline begins with recognizing that firefighter performance, safety, and resilience are inseparable from what fuels the body.

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James Nyadwe is a Water Survival/Safety Expert and Trainer, Open Water Scuba Diver, and a Fire Advocate. James is passionate about sharing knowledge on safety issues on land and water that impact first responders. Additionally, James has served as an instructor for AFM’s virtual firefighter training.

Safe Schools Save Lives: Africa Fire Mission Calls for Stronger School Fire Safety and Preparedness Across Kenya

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, June 8, 2026

Nairobi, Kenya – June 2026

Africa Fire Mission (AFM) is calling on schools, communities, government leaders, and fire brigades across Kenya to strengthen fire safety education and emergency preparedness following recent school fire incidents that have resulted in the loss of young lives and impacted communities across the country.

Recent tragedies serve as a reminder that fire prevention, preparedness, and effective emergency response must remain priorities for every educational institution. While firefighters play a critical role in responding to emergencies, the greatest opportunity to save lives comes before a fire ever starts.

“Every child deserves to learn in a safe environment,” said Nancy Moore, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Africa Fire Mission. “Schools, fire brigades, government agencies, parents, and community leaders each contribute to creating safer environments for children. By combining strong building safety practices, fire prevention education, and regular preparedness exercises, we can reduce risk and help prevent future tragedies.”

For more than a decade, Africa Fire Mission has partnered with firefighters, educators, community organizations, and emergency responders throughout Kenya to promote fire prevention education and improve community safety. Through school outreach initiatives, firefighter training programs, and community fire safety education, AFM has helped thousands of students, teachers, and community members gain practical skills to prevent fires and respond safely during emergencies.

The Role of Fire Brigades in School Preparedness

Local fire brigades offer valuable expertise that extends far beyond emergency response. Firefighters can assist schools by:

• Conducting fire safety inspections and identifying hazards

• Reviewing evacuation plans and emergency procedures

• Participating in fire drills and evacuation exercises

• Training teachers, staff, and student leaders

• Providing fire prevention education and demonstrations

• Recommending improvements to building safety and emergency access

Strong partnerships between schools and local fire brigades help create a culture of preparedness and ensure that schools are better equipped to respond effectively during emergencies.

Safe Buildings Save Lives

Fire safety begins long before an emergency occurs. AFM encourages school administrators, education officials, and facility managers to regularly evaluate school buildings to ensure critical life safety features are functioning properly and accessible when needed.

Key considerations include:

• Dormitory and classroom doors that can be easily opened during an emergency and swing outward in the direction of evacuation

• Emergency exits that remain unlocked and unobstructed whenever buildings are occupied

• Windows that can be opened or used as emergency escape points where appropriate

• Clearly marked exit routes and assembly areas

• Functional fire extinguishers and fire detection systems

• Safe electrical installations and routine inspections to identify potential hazards

• Adequate supervision and emergency procedures for boarding facilities, especially during nighttime hours

Many school fire tragedies around the world have demonstrated that blocked exits, locked doors, overcrowding, and delayed evacuation can significantly increase the risk of injury and loss of life. Creating safe buildings and regularly practicing evacuation procedures helps ensure that students and staff can respond quickly and safely when emergencies occur.

Fire Prevention Education Matters

“When a fire occurs in a school, seconds matter,” said Jose Ngunjiri, Fire Safety Officer for Africa Fire Mission. “Every student should know at least two ways out of a building, every teacher should know the evacuation plan, and every school should regularly practice emergency drills. Firefighters can respond quickly, but preparation before an emergency is what saves the most lives.”

Ngunjiri added, “Simple measures such as regular fire drills, clear evacuation routes, accessible emergency exits, and strong partnerships with local fire brigades can make a significant difference when an emergency occurs.”

AFM encourages schools throughout Kenya to establish or strengthen fire safety programs that include regular fire drills, staff training, student education, emergency planning, and ongoing collaboration with local emergency responders.

As Kenya continues to grow and develop, investments in fire prevention education and preparedness represent one of the most effective ways to protect students, educators, and communities. Through collaboration between schools, fire brigades, government agencies, and community organizations, meaningful progress can be made toward preventing future tragedies.

About Africa Fire Mission

Africa Fire Mission is committed to building and increasing the sustainable capacity of the fire services across Africa through training, empowerment, support, and encouragement. Since 2012, AFM has partnered with firefighters, emergency responders, educators, and community organizations to strengthen fire prevention, preparedness, and emergency response capacity across Africa.

Through its Fire Safety Officer program, school fire prevention initiatives, firefighter training programs, and community outreach activities, Africa Fire Mission works alongside local partners to create safer communities and reduce the impact of fire-related emergencies.

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Media Contact: Africa Fire Mission

José Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri

Fire Safety Officer

Jose@africafiremission.org

+1 513 620 4236

Nancy L. Moore

Co-Founder and Executive Director

Africa Fire Mission

nancy@africafiremission.org

www.africafiremission.org

Building a Mental Health System of Care: Supporting the Resilience and Sustainability of Fire Brigades and Emergency Services

Written by Nancy L. Moore, MSW, LISW-S, CPCC

Executive Summary

First responders routinely respond to situations involving trauma, loss, and extreme stress. These experiences accumulate over time and can have profound impacts on physical health, emotional wellbeing, decision-making, and the long-term sustainability of fire brigades. Despite the critical role first responders play in protecting communities, first responder mental health is often overlooked, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Across Africa, many fire brigades operate with limited resources and minimal access to formal mental health support systems. First responders frequently experience repeated exposure to traumatic incidents such as fatal fires, road traffic accidents, disasters, and community violence. Without appropriate support structures, these experiences can lead to burnout, substance misuse, depression, family strain, and early departure from the profession.

This white paper outlines the importance of implementing a First Responder System of Care, a structured approach that supports first responder wellbeing before, during, and after traumatic incidents. The system includes prevention strategies, Stress First Aid (also referred to as Psychological First Aid), peer support programs, Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), access to professional mental health services, and departmental policies that promote resilience.

By implementing a systematic approach to first responder mental health, fire brigades can protect their most valuable resource—their people—while strengthening operational readiness and long-term sustainability.

Africa Fire Mission Welcomes Third Active Bleeding Control Training Cohort

This April, Africa Fire Mission trained the third cohort of Active Bleeding Control (ABC) instructors in Kenya. This training opportunity equipped dozens of instructors with the skills necessary to stop life-threatening bleeding. In addition, after the training concluded, AFM staff and members of the third cohort engaged local community members for Active Bleeding Control outreach, providing members of the community with the same life-saving skills. These training events and outreach work towards the goal of equipping everyone with the knowledge, skills, and experience to save lives from life-threatening bleeding.

Another exciting his training event was attended by bodaboda and bouncer officials. One of the focuses of the Active Bleeding Control project is to address the rise in casualties from bleeding caused by motor vehicle accidents. These officials oversee local transportation and event security, putting them close to areas and professional spaces where motor vehicles are frequently used. We’re grateful for their attendance and are excited to see the continued growth of this program!

Introductory Ladder Skills and Knowledge for Firefighters

by retired Deputy Chief Howard Cohen

Ground ladders are one of the most basic and essential tools we use in the fire service. This is why it is important to master ladder skills early in your fire training and to continue practicing them throughout. Ladders are essential for many firefighting situations, including rescues, access to elevated areas, ventilation of structures, and establishing secondary means of egress. They are also often used in non-emergency situations. This is why every firefighter needs to develop a strong foundation in ladder knowledge, safety, and basic operations early in their training.

There are numerous ladder types. There are straight, extension, roof, and folding ladders (see Appendix 2 below for a detailed look at different types). There are ladders made out of aluminum, fiberglass, and wood. It is important that you are very familiar with the ladders your department uses. All ladders have some or all of the following components: beams, rungs, halyard, dogs, or pawls. For definitions of these terms, see Appendix 1. These parts might have different names in your fire district. In addition, it is important to know your ladder lengths. When you need to rescue someone from a second floor or higher, time is critical; you don’t want to pull a ladder that's too short.

It is not enough to know how to use a ladder; you need to know how to use it safely. Ladders are cumbersome, heavy objects to lift, carry, and raise into position. Therefore, to reduce the risk of injury when deploying a ladder, you need to know proper lifting techniques. Make sure you are familiar with basic shoulder carries, suitcase carries, and flat carries. Just as important, you need to be proficient at different types of ladder raises, such as the beam raise, flat raise, and basic extension ladder raise. Follow your department’s SOPs for the preferred ladder carrying and raising methods.

Effective ladder placement will keep you safe while allowing you access to difficult areas.

Another important ladder skill is placement: knowing how and where to place a ladder. Your department should establish SOPs for ladder placement based on the task at hand. For example, ladder placement for rescue purposes might differ from that for accessing the interior of a building. Other concerns with ladder placement include ground conditions, overhead obstructions, electrical hazards, and building stability. Make sure the ground is level and firm enough to support a loaded ladder. A general rule for the proper climbing angle for extension ladders is about 75 degrees. Alternatively, you can use the 4-to-1 rule. Leaning ladders should be placed 1 unit out for every 4 units up. However, ladder positioning may differ for other tasks, such as patient rescue, firefighter quick escape, ventilation, or roof access.

Finally, everyone needs to know how to clean ladders after use, inspect them, and report any damage. Review your department’s SOPs on ladder maintenance. Ladder skills and knowledge are vital to firefighter safety and operational effectiveness. A strong foundation in ladder types, safety, carries, raises, placement, and maintenance prepares you to perform essential tasks confidently and efficiently on the fireground.

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Appendix 1: Ladder Parts

1: Beams (Rails)

The long side pieces that run the length of the ladder. They support the load and give the ladder its overall strength. On some ladders, the beams taper toward the tip to reduce weight.

2: Rungs (Steps)
The horizontal steps firefighters climb. They’re spaced evenly and designed with slip-resistant surfaces for boots and wet conditions.

3: Tip (Top)
The very top end of the ladder. It’s shaped to rest against a building or window sill and often includes ladder shoes or caps for grip.

4: Butt (Base)
The bottom end of the ladder that rests on the ground. Proper footing here is critical for ladder stability.

5: Butt Spurs / Ladder Shoes
Metal spikes or rubber pads at the butt that prevent the ladder from slipping. Spurs are used on soft ground; shoes are used on hard surfaces.

6: Halyard (Extension ladders only)
The rope used to raise and lower the fly section of an extension ladder.

7: Fly Section (Extension ladders only)
The movable upper section that extends to reach higher elevations.

8: Locks / Dogs / Pawls (Extension ladders only)
Mechanical hooks that engage the rungs to hold the fly section in place once raised. 

9: Guides / Slides
Tracks that allow the fly section to move smoothly along the bed section.

Appendix 2: Types of Ladders

1: Straight Ladder

Single section, fixed length; Used for quick access to windows, roofs, and rescues. Often placed for secondary egress.

2: Extension Ladder

Two or more sections that extend using halyards and pawls. Provides greater reach than straight ladders. Common for upper floors, roofs, and ventilation.

3: Roof Ladder

Straight ladder with folding hooks at the top. Hooks secure over the roof peak. Designed for working on pitched roofs during ventilation.

4: Attic (Folding) Ladder

Short, collapsible ladder. Used in tight spaces like attics, closets, or scuttle holes. Easy to store and deploy indoors.

5: Aerial Ladders

These are permanently mounted on ladder trucks or quints. The ladder that extends hydraulically or mechanically. Provides high-angle access, rescue, and ventilation. Can support firefighters and victims.

6: Aerial Platform (Tower Ladder)

Features a bucket or platform at the tip. Allows safer rescue, master stream operations, and elevated work. Excellent for commercial or high-rise incidents.

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Want to learn more about safe and effective ladder usage? Check out a Weekly Virtual Training by instructor and volunteer fire safety advocate Richard Gichina.

The Need for Quality Peer-Based Mental Health and Spiritual Wellness Program for First Responders

by Retired Deputy Chief Howard Cohen

Firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and other first responders routinely confront some of the most devastating scenes imaginable. Overtime, the accumulative impact of providing care and support to victims of these traumatic events takes a huge toll on the first responders emotional, psychological and spiritual well being. Repeated exposure to gruesome accident scenes and wrecked lives has been documented through numerous studies throughout the world to contribute to the deterioration of first responders mental health, as well as inflicting a moral injury on them. Moreover, trauma induced stress not only harms first responders, but it also negatively impacts job performance, undermines team cohesiveness and damages family relationships.  

While it is impossible for first responders to avoid encountering horrendous accident scenes, there are proven peer-based intervention strategies that improves resilience and helps restore mental well being.

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) is a comprehensive, integrated, systematic and multicomponent strategy widely used in many places throughout the world. It was developed by Dr. Jeffrey T. Mitchell in the early 1980s, and promotes pre-event stress and crisis management education, planning and policy development, as well as training for the management of traumatic stress.

Stress First Aid (sometimes referred to as Psychological First Aid) is another important peer-based intervention program. Unlike CISM, Stress First Aid requires very little training. Stress First Aid is built upon three primary objectives:  (1) recreate a sense of safety, (2) establish meaningful social connections, (3) reestablish a sense of efficacy. Whereas CISM is orientated toward first responders, Stress First Aid is effective with civilians as well.  Stress First Aid immediately address physical needs, e.g. food, water, sleep, bathroom breaks and determines if additional help, formal or informal, is necessary. CISM typically occurs one or two days later and assumes these basic physical needs have been addressed.  Both programs address symptoms of stress and include education on how to mitigate unhealthy behaviors. The biggest difference is that CISM is a comprehensive program that includes Stress First Aid as a component. Another difference is that it takes several days to become trained in CISM, whereas Stress First Aid, as a stand alone peer-based intervention, requires little training.

CISM and Stress First Aid are both peer-based programs. This means that the program is presented peer to peer. This is important because first responders tend to be reluctant to open up to outsiders, or those who are not or were not first responders. Although there are many different reasons for this, what is important is that the best way to provide critical early intervention to intercept post traumatic problems from developing later is through a peer to peer program.

Peer to Peer Based Mental Health Programs for First Responders

Peer to peer communication is key to many support systems.

It is often said that those who provide care for others cannot do their job if they do not take care of themselves. While the availability of supporting data varies from country to country, the reality is that first responders everywhere are more likely to suffer from psychological distress due to job stress, repeated exposure to trauma, lack of sleep, the physical demands of the job, lack of resources and working long hours or multiple jobs. Increasingly world wide, we are beginning to see the consequences of the stressors of the job. Unfortunately, first responders are often reluctant to seek out professional therapy primarily because of cultural stigmas, both within the first responder world and/or the wider society, because of mistaken belief that dangerously equates seeking help with weakness. First responders are often more open to participating in peer to peer to programs.  Moreover, numerous studies throughout the world found that peer to peer program are the most effective way to mitigate long term negative consequences of secondary trauma.  

The physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health of first responders is critical to their being able to safely and efficiently perform their duties to protect citizens and property. Therefore, it is important for first responders to have access to peer to peer-based programs with properly trained peer leaders.

Training

Fortunately, training first responders to serve as peers for others is neither complicated nor expensive. The first step to provide Stress First Aid training for every first responder. These trainings typically take several hours and can be done in person or online. The First Responder Center for Excellence Offers several relevant training: https://firstrespondercenter.org/

Once concepts of Stress First Aid have been put into place for first responders, the next step is training peers in Crisis Incident Stress Management. This involves several days of training by a trained trainer. You can reach out to Africa Fire Mission if you are interested in receiving this training.

Conclusion

Eddy Kimani, a celebrated Kenyan media personality who battled bouts of mental illness, said Kenyan men were more prone to bouts of depression that lead to suicide due to stereotypes about what it means to be a man. As Kimani so aptly describes it, “Men are generally taking their lives in Kenya because of the warped understanding of what it is to be a man. An African man guards up his feelings because he fears the repercussions in a society that has taught men that they do not cry, that they are not supposed to show their emotions or be vulnerable.” You can read more about Kimani’s perspective here >

Kimani’s description is often also true of first responders who are often required to stuff their emotions while responding to traumatic events and then afterwards because of social pressure.

The good news is that introducing easy to learn and inexpensive peer-based interventions can save lives and improve the mental health and spiritual wellness of first responders, leading to them better serving their communities and caring for their families.

What Every Firefighter Should Know About the 2025 AHA CPR & ECC Updates

by Africa Fire Mission Training Team, Utilizing AI Technology

Firefighters are often the first to respond to life-threatening emergencies, whether it’s a cardiac arrest, choking incident, trauma, or another sudden crisis. In 2025, the American Heart Association (AHA) released its latest comprehensive update to the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) Guidelines, and these changes matter for every member of the African firefighter community.

In a recent Weekly Virtual Firefighter Training, AFM instructor and EMS expert Eric Saunders focused on translating these guideline updates into practical, lifesaving actions that you can apply in the field. Watch the training for strategies you can apply, wherever you’re training or responding.

Watch this Weekly Virtual Firefighter Training for updates on CPR/BLS Guidelines

What’s New in the 2025 AHA Guidelines

Every five years, the AHA reviews the latest science to update its guidance for CPR and emergency use. One update unifies the chain of survival for adults and children into one streamlined model. Another clearly recommends 5 back blows followed by 5 abdominal thrusts if a conscious adult or child is choking, while rescuers should alternate between 5 back blows and 5 heel of hand chest thrusts for infants. Read more about the updates here.

 Why These Updates Matter for Firefighters

Whether you are stationed at an urban firehouse or volunteering in a rural brigade, cardiac emergencies, choking incidents, and sudden collapses are not uncommon. Updated global science means:

·      Faster, more effective responses

·      Increased survival chances for victims

·      More confidence in training and real-world performance

Firefighters are not just fire suppressors, they are lifesavers in every sense. Staying up-to-date with global standards ensures that the care you provide is backed by the best available evidence.

Want to deepen your lifesaving skills and stay current with international resuscitation science? Use these opportunities from AFM to strengthen your skills:

·      Join our Weekly Virtual Trainings for African Firefighters

·      Subscribe to AFM’s YouTube Channel

·      Access our Resources and Training Materials

Stay safe, stay prepared, and keep training!