Page 54 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2022

ENTERING THE FIELD
The Road to Becoming a First Responder
What does it take to be a first responder? Blood, guts, and courage
is the simple answer. It’s a position of service and honor, of strength, and integrity, and we are lucky to have so many in our community who are willing put their lives on the line every single day in the service of others.
Just as much as the soft skills,
people who enter into this field need particular certifications and to go through a process before taking on such an important role. Depending on the type of position you take on, the certifications change and the process does too.
Luke Fletcher, local Firefighter of the Year in 2019 and 2021, gives us some insight into what it means to
be a first responder. He says, “To be a first responder you need to have empathy, strong work ethic, a sense of professionalism, mental and physical toughness, and endurance.” When emergencies happen, these folks can’t
story by Luke Height
show up out of the loop or ill-prepared. People’s lives, and their own, depend on swift action, confidence, and courage.
Along with those skills, Fletcher has acquired a variety of certifications
that help us understand what someone entering into this field will need to succeed. He says, “I have my EMT- Basic, so on medical calls I will render basic first aid and assess the vital signs of patients. In addition to that role
I’m certified in multiple Technical Rescue types such as: Rope (high
angle) Rescue, Swiftwater Rescue, Dive Rescue/Recovery, and Overland Search and Rescue.” Attaining all of these certifications has helped him expand his abilities as a first responder and help the community in a variety of situations.
When going to be a first responder, knowing the requirements and certifications, as well as having the soft skills for the job, will help steer anyone interested in the right direction and set them up to save lives.
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FIRST RESPONDERS MUST MEET THESE QUALIFICATIONS BEFORE WORKING IN THE FIELD:
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Completion of the Board’s approved Medical First Responder Training Program
• Pass National Registry examination as a First Responder
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