Training, excuses and your safety

[Guest alsfirefighter]

I have to say that I am extremely shocked and disappointed at how many posts I see for colleagues asking about training, when it is, how do I find out what is out there etc. Remember that your safety and training always comes down to you. Like I told the probie class and I tell every firefighter 1 student I teach. Its all up to you. You can either blame your department and complain about it, or you can be the best you can be. Its easy to complain about it, it takes a professional and an adult to push for change. When you get the word, take the initiative to get the word to the rest of your department. There is no excuse for anyone to say, its never posted by your department. You find it, you post it. The DES fire admin staff is there for you. OFPC staff is there for you.

You can be as good of a firefighter you can be, or you can be as big of a $hithead you want to be....its up to you. The courses are out there, the info is out there. Find it, read it, know it, try it, love it. Fire officers, know, breath, love and respect fire behavior and building construction. Your success in leadership and your personnel's safety depend on it. firefighters, you too. Learn how to read smoke, fire behavior, building construction, forget FAST when you need to know how to operate safely and efficiently. Your life depends on it. Your partners life may depend on it. The day and age of "I'm a truckie," "I'm a engine guy," are coming to an end. As soceity and the service puts more demands on the fire service we need to know more and fight to stay proficient at it. There are very few skill specific specialist in the fire service anymore. And those that are, have to work twice as hard to stay proficient, you can't sacrifice the basics to constantly stay in tune with advanced skills which you will generally use a lot less then the basics.

The basics sometimes are boring, but they will save your life, those we serve's life, their property etc. Firefighting is an evolving science, do doctors do surgery the same way from 10 years ago? Do Paramedics and nurses not have to do continuing education? Then why do we have leadership that haven't taken newer fire suppression courses in that same time frame? Fire doesn't change, but the perameters and tactics do. Stay up to date. Stay low. Stay motivated. Stay in tune. You will fight like you train. How is your training? Take a look at the next job you have and that will tell you. It will also tell you what you need to train on. The time of keeping our mouths shut about criticism and saying job well done because things could have been worse and we still got the job done with mistakes and poor skills needs to come to end.

Are you ready? Do you know the 5 building construction types and what challenges they give you? Do you pull the right line for the right fire, or is all you've ever pulled is a 1 3/4" line? Do you know what it means if your vibralert goes off and you have sufficient air? Do you know the difference between a low profile and a full escape?

Train, train, and then train on it again. Survival and efficiency comes down to reaction, you don't have time to think in these situations. Do you know how you'll react?

[Remember585 815]

Damn good post brother!!!

I will be the first to admit I don't know everything. Nobody does. But I think I know the most important thing in the emergency services that I can, and that is to CONSTANTLY SHARPEN MY SKILLS AND LEARN AS MUCH $HIT AS I CAN! My best mentor, my father, taught me from day one (literally as I came into this life) to always keep myself on top of things, whether I ever become a firefighter for a living or do it for nothing as I do now. "Once you think you know everything, it's time to quit, because you will get yourself or somebody else hurt or killed." My great-uncle, who passed away this past January, used to say this to the guys in my father's generation. And I think these words rings true today, more then ever!

ALS mentioned the always changing world we serve. He's not kidding. When I took Essentials in 1994, people believed that was enough to send people into a fire the next day. All you had to do was show up and get your certificate. Luckily, over time we have expanded our "basic" training to include so much more, which doubled the actual course time. I am proud to say that a majority of the members in our Company have expanded beyond this minimum. Many guys have 100, 200, 300 and even almost 400 hours of courses under their belts! Some people still, to this day, laugh about us for taking so much stuff. But trust me when I tell you, watch a fire scene where the right mix of training, confidence and calm are in place, and you will have a great fire attack with no unneccessary injuries.

Training doesn't have to be scheduled, something I've said before. If you work all day and don't have time to go to a class on building construction, then pick up a copy of Firehouse or Fire Engineering and read about it! I've probably spent $300 on books in the last few years th give myself some more knowledge to better serve as an Officer. Too many times in too many places people are made an Officer by popularity, not qualifications. Hell, any Chief in Westchester could even log on to this site and learn something!

LISTEN TO YOUR PEOPLE! If you are a Chief, and the "All-the-time guys" are asking for a change, listen to them. These guys are the core of your Department that come to drills and calls. They will be the ones going in on that first line and popping that car door. You can not be an effective leader if you don't listen, and listening is part of training! Feedback is almost as good as, if not better sometimes, then having a drill.

Don't take fire for granted. No two fires are the same, and no two fire scenes will ever be the same. Keep your mind sharp, your eyes and ears open and your a** down low!

Great topic Tommy. I didn't mean to ramble on!

[x635 4,066]

GREAT POST, and this is a fine example of what this board should be about!

I don't know really what to say in reply, since I agree with this 110%.

It's amazing how much knowledge you can gain from a simple class....each and every bit of knowledge you gain can give you power....power to save someones life or property, or even your own. I love, love to read.....something as simple as reading the three magazines I subscribe to (Firehouse, Fire Engineering, and Fire-Rescue) can be a great learning experience.

The assertive firefighter is the one who will learn the most.

I personally feel their should be a national or even local REAL certification and continuing education requirment for firefighters as well, but that's a whole 'nother issue.

Edited October 30, 2005 by x635

[firecapt32 282]

Heres a quote from the seminar that was conducted on Sat at Harthorne which by the way was very good. " KILL THE FIRE OR IT WILL KILL YOU" You guys are right on the money Get em trained keep em trained.Depatments need to move foward. Stop all the old stuff no more whining--theres no place for whining in the fire service. dont say you cant get the training--believe me its there Westchester has done over 70 courses so far this yr. If the courses you want arent there--have your training office ask for them. The CFI's are ready and willing to help a department has to do is ask.

See you monday

[JohnnyOV 2]

I personally feel their should be a national or even local  REAL certification and continuing education requirment for firefighters as well, but that's a whole 'nother issue.

←

Recert for FF I, along with any FF class is an excellent idea. Places where fires and car accidents are a rareity could greatly benifit by keeping your FF up to par with their skills. I dont see why this isnt already in effect?

Edited October 30, 2005 by EMSJunkie712