Clayton Firefighters Prepare for Life-Saving Moments
The Clayton Fire Department is spending this week sharpening one of the most critical skills in firefighting: search and rescue. Crews are conducting hands-on training at Johnston Community College in Smithfield, focusing on locating and saving people who may be trapped in burning buildings.
Led by Battalion Chief of Training and Safety Chris Carter, this training is part of the department’s regular facility schedule. The goal is to make sure every firefighter – whether assigned to an engine, ladder, or rescue company – learns the same steps to search a structure and safely remove someone in danger.
“Saving lives is our top priority,” said Carter. “When someone’s trapped in a fire, every second matters. We want to make sure our teams are fast, focused, and fully prepared to get in and get them out.”
The department recently updated several of its fireground procedures, which are the steps firefighters follow during a fire. This training supports those changes. It also connects to a larger national effort to track and improve rescue outcomes through the Firefighter Rescue Survey, a voluntary program where departments enter detailed information after rescuing someone from a fire.
By participating in this survey, Clayton firefighters help build a database of real rescues. The data shows where victims are most often found, like bedrooms or near exits, and what tactics work best. Carter is working directly with leaders from the Charlotte Fire Department, one of the top contributors in North Carolina, to align Clayton’s approach with the most effective practices in the state.
That data matters to the firefighters and the families they help. Across the country, firefighters are rescuing nearly 10 people every day. It highlights how often this type of training makes a difference when minutes matter.
“Every structure fire we respond to has the chance of becoming a rescue,” said Carter. “It might start out looking like just a fire alarm, but when we arrive and see smoke, we have to assume someone might be inside.”
During a fire, Clayton’s first-arriving crews split responsibilities. Some firefighters go inside right away to search for people while others stay outside to set up ventilation or prepare tools. This teamwork helps crews move faster and increases the chances of saving lives.
The training is not just about improving performance. It is also personal. Many of Clayton’s firefighters live in the community they serve.
“I tell our teams to think of each rescue as if it was their own child or loved one inside,” said Carter. “I live here too. If my house is on fire, I want firefighters showing up ready to give their all. And that is the mindset we train for.”
For more information about the Firefighter Rescue Survey and how it helps fire departments like Clayton improve outcomes across the country, visit www.firefighterrescuesurvey.com.
