International Firefighters' Day: How Firefighters Make An Impact

International Firefighters' Day (IFFD) is a time to celebrate firefighters across the world and recognize their heroic efforts. It occurs on May 4th each year, which falls on the first Sunday this year. The day first became an internationally recognized day of celebration and honor after a volunteer firefighter named JJ Edmondson advocated for it in memory of her friends who were past firefighters: Jason Thomas, Stuart Davidson, Matthew Armstrong, Chris Evans, and Garry Vredeveldt.

On December 2nd, 1998, the five firefighters of the Geelong West Fire Brigade lost their lives attempting to save people and their property from a fire. JJ saw this as a chance to bring awareness to the often dangerous and life-saving jobs firefighters commit to. 

International Firefighters' Day is observed on May 4th because it is also the feast day of Saint Florian, the patron saint of firefighters. Saint Florian was a Roman army officer who is said to have saved an entire town from being consumed by fire with a single bucket of water. For over 24 years, International Firefighters' Day has paid homage to individuals who have volunteered to help countries fight the one common enemy of fire and protect people, animals, and artifacts from harm.

What do firefighters do? 

Firefighters are volunteer and paid workers who control and put out fires and respond to emergencies, such as robberies, road accidents, and environmental accidents. They receive long-term fire safety, rescue, and emergency medical care training. Often, firefighters are the first responders and defense forces on a scene and may arrive before emergency medical providers can assess a situation. 

They may partake in the following actions: 

• Rescuing people, animals, and artifacts from fires 
• Protecting urban, rural, and natural environments 
• Putting out forest and wildfires
• Responding to crime scenes, traffic accidents, and emergencies
• Protecting the environment from damage
• Preventing future fires
• Educating on fire safety 

Firefighters may earn around $50,000 per year or volunteer their time for free. 72 firefighters made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives in 2021, and firefighting can be considered a risky career choice as it puts the firefighter's life on the line. However, many individuals pursue a career in firefighting to save lives and make an impact. 

How firefighters benefit society 

On International Firefighters’ Day, learning more about how firefighters benefit society and support those in your community can be beneficial. 

Protecting wilderness

There are many hazards that pose a risk to the environment worldwide, including chemicals, climate change, fires, electricity, and air pollution. Firefighters often study environmental protection and work to protect natural areas from fire risk. In areas where a fire is likely, firefighters may monitor trees, heat, brush, and weather risks to ensure the lowest risk possible. They may keep equipment on hand to put out small fires before they become more extensive. 

When responding to a fire in a location filled with dangerous gasses or hazardous materials that could harm the environment, firefighters may take extra precautions to protect others from fumes or harmful chemicals when putting out fires. They often receive specialized training in the impacts of these substances on the environment. 

In addition, firefighters might implement sprinkler systems in certain buildings and locations to reduce the possibility of a fire breaking out during dry or hot months in certain areas. Firefighters may not only respond to fires but also work to prevent them. 

Providing first response to emergencies

If you have ever called 911, you may have noticed that the first people to arrive at the scene were firefighters. Often, firefighters have training in emergency medical procedures and may also work as EMS workers (emergency medical support). They often carry equipment in their truck to provide emergency support if someone on the scene is not breathing or requires an immediate response before the ambulance arrives. 

They might arrive first because there could be more fire trucks in the area than ambulances, or the scene might be close to a fire station. In some cases, the firefighters may retrieve individuals from collapsed cars or accident scenes so they can be safely transported into the ambulance when medical providers arrive. If only a few EMS officials are in the ambulance, firefighters can provide more hands and help them speedily transport multiple survivors. 

Putting out fires

While in the line of duty, firefighters often protect what matters by putting out fires in several locations, including homes, commercial buildings, forests, grasslands, roads, factories, and other areas. They are specially trained to know how to react depending on the circumstances of a fire. They might also have to rescue people, animals, or artifacts from within a building or burning forest. In these cases, they utilize protective clothing, goggles, helmets, and equipment to keep themselves safe. 

Often, firefighters are required to have strength training, as they may be required to carry an individual out of a burning building, regardless of weight. The training may require them to lift over 220 pounds of weight. The hose used to spray water on burning buildings can also be heavy, so firefighters might work hard on their muscle strength and health to protect others from danger. 

Assisting in road accidents 

Firefighters are often trained to respond to road accidents specifically. Often, the fire sirens sound may be the first people hear when calling for help. Firetrucks are sometimes more equipped than ambulances to respond to heavy-duty emergencies, such as cars stuck upside down or out of reach. They may use the "jaws of life" to pry open a car door to gain a crash survivor. In these cases, immediate intervention is often necessary, and firefighters may be the first on the scene. 

In accidents, firefighters can also identify and reduce hazards to the health of those involved. For example, chemical spills like gasoline can be a fire risk. They may remove these spills and any individuals from the crime scene while advising others on where to step and how to stay safe.

Saving animals 

Although firefighters often respond to the first goal of saving human lives during a fire or accident, they may also save animals and pets. There have been stories of firefighters returning to a burning building to save pets and giving them oxygen masks upon bringing them outside. Firefighters might also be called to assist fish and wildlife services in rescuing wild animals. For example, in 2022 in Montana, firefighters responded to a call to retrieve a black bear from a local tree. Using a ladder, they tranquilized the animal and brought it down from the tree. Once captured, they released the bear back into the wild. These measures can safeguard citizens and wildlife from harm. 

Human rescue 

Finally, firefighters often save lives. They may rescue humans from fires, cars, accidents, buildings, or unsafe situations. Firefighters may sometimes assist in search and rescue missions to bring back missing individuals from forests or unsafe areas. They might also respond to plane crashes and national emergencies. 

Firefighters often risk their lives to respond to emergencies. For example, hundreds of firefighters responded on 9/11 in the US to the attack on the Twin Towers. The firefighters who lost their lives are often remembered when discussing the impact that these workers can have on society. 

What is the purpose of International Firefighters' Day?

International Firefighters' Day was created to remember firefighters who have experienced line-of-duty deaths during brave, heroic acts of kindness. Whether a firefighter is a volunteer or paid worker, they can make the difference between life and death for many individuals. Celebrating International Firefighters' Day can remind communities and individuals of the impact firefighters can have and why they are often essential around the world.  

How to celebrate this day

On May 4th, you may choose to celebrate firefighters in various ways, including the following: 

• Thanking a firefighter in your life for their service
• Taking a minute's silence to remember a firefighter who was lost  
• Signing up to volunteer at your local fire station 
• Sending care packages to a local fire station 
• Posting about local firefighter stories 
• Leaving flowers at a firefighter memorial 
• Learn more about firefighters from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
• Advocating for firefighter mental health 
• Reading stories from individuals who firefighters saved
• Donating to a local fire station 
• Donate to disaster relief funds for locations impacted by fires 
• Protecting the natural environment from fire risks by learning about fire prevention and safety 

As working in fire service can be a dangerous career, showing thanks to the firefighters in your community may be appreciated by those who work to save lives and put out fires. 

Red and blue ribbon

The red and blue ribbon, measuring 5 cm long and 1 cm wide with its two separate colors conjoined at the top, is a symbol of International Firefighters Day. Red on the ribbon signifies fire, while blue denotes water, reflecting the elements firefighters work with. This ribbon is traditionally worn on the lapel, although it can be displayed elsewhere to honor the fire administration's commitment and service.

How to become a firefighter

If you hope to become a firefighter, there may be a few steps to take before you can work in the field. Although many fire stations offer training, some may require degrees or certifications in certain areas. In the US, the steps can include the following: 

• CPR training 
• Emergency response training or EMS training
• Strength training
• Volunteer experience in firefighting
• Potentially, gaining a fire science degree
• Exams and job application 
• A high school diploma
• A clean background check 

These requirements are generally for working as a paid firefighter. Contact your local fire department to volunteer as a firefighter and ask about the requirements specific to your county. You may undergo training and require a high school diploma and background check to volunteer. Many volunteer firefighters are not paid but may complete further education during their volunteer hours and eventually be hired.

People can also apply for a natural environment volunteer career, such as a forest service professional or rural natural environment volunteer. In these types of volunteer opportunities, you may protect the environment through fire risk prevention, marking trees, protecting wildlife, or performing search and rescue. In today's society, these careers can be in high demand and may save a life.  

Counseling for firefighters and first responders

Being a firefighter or first responder can cause stress, mental health concerns, and trauma responses in some cases. If you are experiencing the mental impact of your job, know you're not alone. Studies show that 1.5% to 57% of firefighters develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from their careers, which can be comparable to military rates of the condition. Talking to a therapist may benefit you. 

Firefighting can be a busy and unpredictable career, so first responders like firefighters may benefit from online therapy. Internet-based counseling can allow you to select an appointment time that works for you and change it if needed. For example, if you need an appointment at noon local time, you can work with a therapist who allows flexibility and has that time available. If you get paged for an emergency, you may be able to reschedule without penalty. You can also choose how long your sessions last and partake in live chat sessions if you cannot do phone or video chat on a particular day. 

Studies on online counseling found that it was as effective or more effective than in-person counseling for treating exposure to long-term stressors. Whether you're a firefighter or medical worker or want to learn more, online therapy can be found through platforms like BetterHelp. BetterHelp offers over 30,000 licensed therapists specializing in various topics, including trauma, stress, and careers.