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Genuine Geniuses – Graduates On Firemen’s Team

NPP Fire Service is enviable for several reasons, and its training system is quite unparalleled. Top managers are required to have three, while service commanders two degrees. Members of the subordinate fire crew should have at least leave certificates, yet people with diplomas are not rare among them, either.

NPP Fire Service (Atomerőmű Tűzoltóság) celebrates the 20th anniversary of its establishment. This jubilee offers a good occasion for a brief summary with the head of Atomix Kft’s Security Branch, Fire Chief Péter Bőhm.

As Péter Bőhm says, he would prefer to call the fire team under his direction a professional fire department, as it does not matter in terms of the status from where firemen get their pay.

”It is my firm belief that we do this work in a professional manner and in the expected quality,” he said. A number of facts and data corroborate Fire Chief’s non-biased opinion. He said that existing legislation provided for identical requirements as to education and qualifications for both industrial and professional fire crews. Moreover, the facility to be protected, i.e. the Nuclear Power Plant, as well as other tasks they had undertaken on request also required additional skills and knowledge.

Such additional tasks include the provision of emergency ambulance services, the rescue of people trapped in difficult high and deep places as well as from elevators using alpine methods. They are also needed to provide additional sources of income to help maintain NPP Fire Service’ competitive edge in terms of financing. Failing to have such opportunities, the temptation to leave would be great as our firemen, being a full-time industrial fire crew, are not eligible for early retirement pension.

On the other hand, however, Atomix has a training and education system in place that offers opportunities “unparalleled even in a nationwide comparison,” according to Péter Bőhm. As he says, skills and competencies for each position are provided for by law, but the way Atomix arranged them in a comprehensive scheme with the participation of firemen, undertaking personal responsibility, is quite unique.

The quality management system is of great help in this respect, as nothing is forgotten, all tasks are carried out on time, and everybody knows his own and others’ responsibilities, i.e. “what to do and when” in brief. In his capacity as the quality management head of Atomix Kft., Péter Bőhm promotes these principles all across Atomix’ special branches.

The quality management and performance assessment systems have been developed by in-house efforts. Fires cannot be categorized, fires put out and the amount of water used are just not worth counting and measuring; therefore, what is measured and assessed at NPP Fire Service is the level of preparedness. Firemen’s health condition and physical fitness are regularly inspected, and they should sit theoretical exams in every quarter.

That is what quarterly bonus payments depend on; for higher ranks, the scope of assessment also includes the level of preparedness of the team under their direction or command. As Fire Chief said, no subordinate fireman without leave certificate has been employed since 1990, and even the number of college or university graduates is on the increase. Service commanders are required to have two degrees, one obtained from state education and one in professional training. In addition, top managers should also have diplomas in quality engineering.

Each fireman is required to be competent in the life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation, either with or without means, to update his skills and knowledge on a permanent basis, and to give regular account of the progress made. They think well ahead regarding the issues of training and education, and also take account of the planned extension of the Power Plant; it is normal as, whenever a new plant is built, proper protection should be provided, which needs “a well-trained and experienced staff of professionals,” said Péter Bőhm.

Fire Chief Takes Pride In Novel Elements of Practice Péter Bőhm takes professional pride in a number of novel solutions, known to professional circles never before, and now put in practice. They were the first in the fire profession to apply quality management and performance assessment methods. Fire Chief stressed that while a well-prepared staff couldn’t, technical means and technologies could be purchased. So, they themselves had to train and educate staff members into genuine firemen. “Each member of the staff is in possession of the required professional qualifications, and fully meets all relevant requirements. Our managers and commanders work up to a high standard,” emphasized the Fire Chief.

NPP firemen exercising rescue operations, using alpine equipment, to save a man injured in an M6 highway accident.

Tünde Vida
TEOL
23 November 2010