For the past nine months, we have been following the new hires to the Maple Grove Fire Department, Justin Siemieniewski and Stephanie Firestone. Last summer, the pair graduated from the West Suburban Fire Academy and completed the first phase of their basic firefighter training.
In September, both Firestone and Siemienwski began training to be certified emergency medical responders (EMR). In these sessions, the firefighters learned how to respond to a medical emergency where they need to provide immediate care to someone, such as during cardiac arrest or with a gunshot wound.
According to deputy fire chief Tim Bush, these skills are extremely vital for a firefighter. “Unfortunately, in today’s world, we need to prepare for any event,” Bush says.
The firefighters will complete their EMR training by November 14 and prepare for the next phase of extensive training.
