Fire Officer's Query

[helicopper 1,050]

Hey all, I'm just curious about fire officer training. I was just involved in a discussion that centered on the problem of poor attendance at classes. This led me to wonder why we don't fill some classes, hence this poll.

If you're not a current or former fire officer please don't take the poll - but feel free to post your comments!

Thanks in advance.

[Guest alsfirefighter]

Excellent use of a thread Chris! Not to mention the fact that we talked for a 1/2 an hour on the phone about it a month ago. lol.

Maybe the members on here can help us figure it out.

[x134 46]

My work requires it Officer or not. (NIMS TRAINING.) 200,300,400 AND 700.

Edited February 28, 2008 by x134

[firemoose827 324]

Our county has FINALY made it mandatory for all fire officers to have ICS-100, 200 and NIMS 700. It has been a long time in the waiting, and the only qualifications most of the dept's have up here are just Basic Fireman with a few years experience!! Its been a scary ride but now we are heading in the right direction...*SIGH* I have all of the above, plus Preparing for command, and a few others.

Good Post Chris!

[ex-commish 490]

Our county has FINALY made it mandatory for all fire officers to have ICS-100, 200 and NIMS 700. It has been a long time in the waiting, and the only qualifications most of the dept's have up here are just Basic Fireman with a few years experience!! Its been a scary ride but now we are heading in the right direction...*SIGH* I have all of the above, plus Preparing for command, and a few others.

Good Post Chris!

NIMS should not be limited to just officers. Anyone could end up being incident commander.

[wraftery 1,275]

I was unable to submit a vote...your survey levels don't go high enough.

My ICS courses were 100,200, 300, 400, 700, Hi-rise ICS, and S-430(Ops Section Chief), S-440(Planning Section Chief)

For the rest of the survey:

YES ICS is important

YES upper level courses are hard to find

YES you can find the time

By the way, I took 430 and 440 in 2004, and I've been retired for a couple of years.

[helicopper 1,050]

I was unable to submit a vote...your survey levels don't go high enough.

My ICS courses were 100,200, 300, 400, 700, Hi-rise ICS, and S-430(Ops Section Chief), S-440(Planning Section Chief)

For the rest of the survey:

YES ICS is important

YES upper level courses are hard to find

YES you can find the time

By the way, I took 430 and 440 in 2004, and I've been retired for a couple of years.

I'm glad to see that someone other than me or ALS mentioned position training. And of course, now that you've got it, you are retired. Figures, doesn't it?

Enjoy the good life!

[Remember585 815]

Correct me if I'm wrong...

But if a department / agency wants to apply for any grants thru the DHS / FEMA, don't all members of that agency require at least the I-100 & I-700? And aren't those that wish to participate in any statewide or inter-state Mutual Aid required to have it?

I recall hearing that somewhere, not sure if it was true or not.

[AFS1970 504]

This is an area where I think standards hurt us. When the new NIMS came out, we all let out a groan. When FEMA came out with the ICS-100-700 classes we all said OK if we have to. Since the mandatory ones were ICS100 & ICS700, gusee how many we all took? Thats right just the two of them. We met the requirements.

Now a few of my departments members took these classes on line and discovered all the various ICS & NIMS related courses they could take, for a while there was a line a the computer for the guys taking classes. That kind of died down as the novelty wore off, but I know of at least one newer member who just found the site and discovered he can get college credit for these classes. Now he's a man with a mission.

There are allot of other classes that are just as valuable in terms of ICS. Officer 1 or 2, the MCTO classes, Strategy & Tactics, ect. and in truth, my opinion is that all officers should take at least one new command level class a year. But hey, there is a standard and we met the standard, so we are legal, right !?!

[helicopper 1,050]

They're not fire specific but there are good courses offered by SEMO on Leadership, Decision Making, Effective Communications and ICS. Here's a link to their calendar: http://www.semo.state.ny.us/programs/training/calendar.cfm

The non-ICS courses are part of the Professional Development Series and can be used toward higher level certificates from FEMA.

Hope this helps!

[helicopper 1,050]

My work requires it Officer or not. (NIMS TRAINING.) 200,300,400 AND 700.

Your job requires 300 and 400 for all line firefighters?

[Guest alsfirefighter]

Gang...NIMS online courses are a good foundation...get out and take a classroom version! Look for some of the locally made courses that takes the NIMS down to an operational level which is what we truly need. There are good ICS courses out there and they are in a classroom..not across your computer screen! They can be very interesting, informative and eye opening when you have the right people delivering the material.

[x134 46]

Your job requires 300 and 400 for all line firefighters?

Yes, Career and Volunteer.