Chapter 9

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 1Personnel 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 1Personnel 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 1Personnel 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 1Personnel 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 1Personnel 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 1Personnel and Positions in a Training

Bureau

Learning Objective 2

The 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 2

The Need for Training in the Fire Service

PURPOSE AND IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING

• Change behavior

• Safety

• Size-up

• Command presence

Learning Objective 2

The Need for Training in the Fire Service

TECHNICAL TRAINING

• Hazardous material training

• EMS training

• Building construction

• Extinguishing agents

Cont.

Learning Objective 3

Technical and Manipulative Training

TECHNICAL TRAINING

• Inspecting or supporting extinguishing systems

• Safety

• Apparatus limitations

• Communication systems

• Written communications

Learning Objective 3

Technical and Manipulative Training

MANIPULATIVE TRAINING

• Hands-on operations

• Equipment and tools

• Evolutions Hose and other equipment

• Engine operatorCont.

Learning Objective 3

Technical and Manipulative Training

MANIPULATIVE TRAINING

• Ladder truck operator

• Wildland firefighting equipment operators

• Realistic conditions

• Stress drills

• Safety

Learning Objective 3

Technical 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 4

Adequate Level of Training Determination

Learning Objective 5

Performance 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 6

How Skills Are Developed

SKILLS 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 6

How Skills Are Developed

Learning Objective 7

Importance 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 7

Importance 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 7

Importance 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