Chapter 9

Fire Service Training

Introduction

• Training is a career-long commitment that all emergency service personnel must make

• We must gather and examine information available to us so we do not become a case history ourselves

• Many fatalities have common denominators that have been recognized in previous fatality situations

Learning Objective 1

Personnel and Positions in a Training Bureau

TRAINING BUREAU

•Time and effort preparing firefighters

•Plan, prepare, and present information

STAFF FUNCTION

•Five-day-a-week schedule

•Support the functions of line personnel

OPERATIONS FUNCTION

• Battalion training officers

•Assess training and overall performance

TRAINING OFFICER

•Aptitude

•Positive attitude

Learning Objective 1

Personnel and Positions in a Training Bureau

INSTRUCTORS

• Learn from observing other instructors

• Access information on training and instructional methodology

• Some areas of expertise require civilian instructors

• Professional qualifications: NFPA 1041, Standard for Fire Service Professional Qualifications

Learning Objective 1

Personnel and Positions in a Training Bureau

ELECTRONIC MEDIA TECHNICIAN

• Valuable resource to any training bureau

•Increased use of electronic media

LIGHT DUTY

•Restricted from active fire duty due to injury

•Assists in training and other bureaus

Learning Objective 1

Personnel and Positions in a Training Bureau

INTERAGENCY

• Jointly train with other agencies

• Share expertise to gain knowledge

• Fight fires together; should train together

• Joint recruit training academies

• Industrial fire brigades train with fire departments

Learning Objective 1

Personnel and Positions in a Training Bureau

AMBULANCE COMPANIES

• Sometimes overlooked when joint training takes place

• Base meetings Can gain advanced medical

information from paramedics• Air ambulance companies

Learning Objective 1

Personnel and Positions in a Training Bureau

Learning Objective 2The Need for Training in the Fire Service

TRAINING FACILITIES

• Departments may contact local building owners• Larger number of personnel require a classroom• Drill tower• Burn building• Draft pit• Hazardous material props

OFF-SITE TRAINING

• Wildland fire training

• High-rise structures under construction

• Use of a smoke generator

• Harbors and ships

• Aircraft firefighting

Learning Objective 2The Need for Training in the Fire Service

PURPOSE AND IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING

• Change behavior

• Safety

• Size-up

• Command presence

Learning Objective 2The Need for Training in the Fire Service

TECHNICAL TRAINING

• Hazardous material training

• EMS training

• Building construction

• Extinguishing agents

Cont.

Learning Objective 3Technical and Manipulative Training

TECHNICAL TRAINING

• Inspecting or supporting extinguishing systems

• Safety

• Apparatus limitations

• Communication systems

• Written communications

Learning Objective 3Technical and Manipulative Training

MANIPULATIVE TRAINING

• Hands-on operations

• Equipment and tools

• Evolutions Hose and other equipment

• Engine operatorCont.

Learning Objective 3Technical and Manipulative Training

MANIPULATIVE TRAINING

• Ladder truck operator

• Wildland firefighting equipment operators

• Realistic conditions

• Stress drills

• Safety

Learning Objective 3Technical and Manipulative Training

CRITERIA FOR ADEQUATE LEVELS OF TRAINING

• First criterion is whether it is being performed safely

• Second criterion is the complexity of the job

• Third criterion is with what frequency the job is to be performed

• Personnel should be trained beyond the minimum level

Learning Objective 4Adequate Level of Training Determination

Learning Objective 5Performance Standards Determination

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Factors that determine performance

• Time is a commonly used criteria

• Acceptable percentage of errors

• Safety performance standard Zero tolerance

Learning Objective 6How Skills Are DevelopedSKILLS DEVELOPMENT

• Ability to use knowledge effectively and readily

• A developed aptitude or ability

• Become skilled through instruction, study, and practice

• Physically fit

MASTERY OF TASKS

• Serves as model or ideal

• Perform to a set standard

• Perform correctly, not on time

• Student’s goal is to achieve mastery

• Will advance to more complicated skills

Learning Objective 6How Skills Are Developed

Learning Objective 7Importance of Skills Maintenance

SKILLS MAINTENANCE

• Constant review and practice required

SKILLS ASSESSMENT

• Technical skills

• Manipulative skills

• Comprehensive test on both

ONE DEPARTMENT CONCEPT

• Standardization of procedures

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

• Written procedures specifying what to do

• Department functions more smoothly

• Reduces need for fire ground communication

Learning Objective 7Importance of Skills Maintenance

TRAINING RECORDS

• Necessary to document training

• Can be reviewed and assessed

• Laws and regulations require specific training

• Training records can be used in court of law

Learning Objective 7Importance of Skills Maintenance

Learning Objective 8Training Level Applying to Incident Effectiveness

INCIDENT EFFECTIVENESS

• Overall purpose of training is incident effectiveness

• Operations are performed efficiently and safely

• Better tools and procedures

• Properly trained firefighters will perform at a high level

Learning Objective 9Areas Where Firefighters

Require Training

REQUIRED TRAINING

• Many areas of emergency operations

• Requirement by federal government OSHA 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

1910.120

• First responder operations (FRO) level

• Average firefighter should train to FRO levelCont.

REQUIRED TRAINING

• Aircraft firefighting personnel

• All rescue and firefighting personnel

• Firefighting skills maintenance

• Training safety

Learning Objective 9Areas Where Firefighters

Require Training

Summary

• New firefighters will spend most of their time learning the skills necessary to perform the job

• Firefighters will be instructed in the various tools and equipment required and how to use them

• Exhibit a safety attitude and have zero tolerance for safety violations

• Personnel training together from different areas of the jurisdiction should be emphasized