Firefighters train approximately 12,000 hours each year, covering such topics as:  Search and Rescue, First Responder, Tools and Equipment, which includes Extrication Training, Self Rescue, Technical Rescue, Driver Training, Ropes & Knots, Policies and Guidelines, Water Rescue, etc., only to name a few.  Because there is approximately 70 miles of coastline, Water Rescue Training is imperative for our department.  We own, maintain, and operate a 21 ft. Fireboat which provides Marine Emergency Support in our area.  Training from outside agencies, such as Gulf Power, Sheriff's Department, Florida Rock and Tank, and other businesses who can provide specialized training, is periodically scheduled throughout the year.

 

The Panama City Fire Department has a number of Specialized Teams, such as Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), Dive Team, and Rapid Intervention Team (RIT), all of which require many additional hours of training.  Other Firefighters are trained to work on specialized equipment, such as our Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA's), equipment that is critical to a Firefighter's safety.  Tactical Surveys of local commercial businesses, both new and existing, are conducted to keep Firefighters abreast of some of the dangers they may encounter at an incident.

 

When Officer's Choice is scheduled on the Training Calendar, Company Officers can decide which training their crew needs to work on.  This flexibility enables individual crews to train in specific skills they may need to strengthen.  If training is somehow missed, due to personnel being called out to a structure fire or some other incident, the crews will make up the scheduled training.  Night Drills are also conducted where crews are observed during live burns.  This type of training is conducted in our Burn Building at the Training Academy, which was built in 2002.  These drills are critiqued during classroom training and are essential to insure proficiency during an actual emergency.

 

Physical Fitness plays an important role in the fire service.  Because of the importance of Physical Fitness, the City of Panama City Fire Department implemented a Wellness Program.  This program is designed to provide a complete physical evaluation of each member on a yearly basis.  The physical evaluates each member's medical condition and physical fitness level.  The purpose of the program is intended to reduce injuries, provide early detection of serious medical conditions, and promote better overall health and fitness.

 

In 2009, the City of Panama City constructed a new Fire Training Academy.  This building replaced the older training building that was over 40 years old.  This new Training Academy contains state of the art audio visual equipment and provides much more space to accommodate classroom training.  The building also contains a commercial grade kitchen which is used to feed City workers during natural disasters, such as hurricanes, and can provide approximately 500 meals daily.