BELLBROOK FIRE/EMS

Health and Safety Team

Team leader:
Lt. Bill Beeman, bill@bellbrookfire.org
Safety Officer Tom O'Grady

The Health and Safety Team is in charge of several important department activities, including recruitment and retention of new members. The Health and Safety team meets each candidate during an initial meeting, explaining the application process and the requirements of the job. After the initial meeting, successive appointments are made to complete the process.

Included in the process is a background check, driving record check, checks of references on the initial application, physical exam by the department physician and the physical abilities test.

The physical abilities test is a test given over a 15-minute period that tests the applicants ability to complete a variety of stations. Tasks include loading a patient on cot into a medic, dragging a dummy, carrying and advancing hose and climbing ladders.

Once welcomed on the department, members are started through a mentoring process to orient them to the policies, procedures and laws that govern our actions. The orientation process also allows them to begin familiarizing themselves with the department's apparatus and equipment.

Also under the Health and Safety team is the Support Services group, which allows those interested in helping the fire department -- but not necessarily in an emergency response role -- get involved in other non-emergent activities.

The Health and Safety Team also helps keep our personnel safe while they are responding to calls.