Life Safety Initiative #5

Life Safety Initiative #5 - Develop and implement national standards for training, qualifications, and certifications (including regular continuing education and re-certification) that are equally applicable to all firefighters based on the duties they are expected to perform.

As a Training Officer, Life Safety Initiative #5 sounds like the beginning to a reasonable common sense approach to address a long standing challenge. It is a simple process; no firefighter (or EMS provider) should be able to perform a required skilled task during an emergency incident without a certification/education to back up that particular skill set they are performing. Therefore, why is this an initiative that needs to be shown due attention and be addressed?

There is not a firefighter that can truly say that training is not in the top three of the most important task that must be completed regularly. Every firefighter must make a personal commitment to make sure that "every day is a training day". So what standards do we follow for our everyday training needs? When we break down the initiative, it states numerous items that the Fire/EMS service needs to examine. The idea of national training standards sounds like a perfect fit into the Fire/EMS service. We make sure that all members of our organizations are trained to the NIMS (National Incident Management System) standards so that everyone is on the same page when it comes to the assemblence and coordination of emergency responses. Does it make sense to do the same idea for training? Well the answer should be a consensus of yes across the board. If the training responsibility is viewed as a local department policy, procedure, or tactical approach administrative or operational, of course the answer is no. While the idea of having the same policies, procedures, and tactics is a noble idea it is also not feasible. Every department needs to look at the national standards as a guideline and see how it can benefit their department and their members and how to meet and in some cases exceed it. An example of this would be drafting for Driver/Operators. It is often viewed that in a rural setting, this is an absolute skill set that every Driver/Operator has this initial and continued training. In a metropolitan setting this would be a skill to challenge, but not a practical use due to a majority of developed cities have an extensive number of fireplugs for the driver to choose. The true answer for this portion of the initiative is that each department must prioritize what their members need in the idea of daily training based on the identification of mission priority, mission critical, and mission knowledge, skill and abilities based on call demographics and potential. While looking at the national industry standards for guidance in the material they are presenting.

Qualifications and certifications are topics that seems to ebb and flow every few years. So the question now comes into play, what are the mandatory certifications and qualifications in the Fire/EMS service? The answer...ALL of them that are germane to your job! What does that mean exactly? It really is about changing the Fire/EMS service mindset. Changing the attitude of obtaining your basic certifications and graduate to "do the job" instead of using it as a foundation to build on and the rest is constant and continued learning in utilizing both cognitive and psychomotor learning environments by proven mentors basically incorporating both of equal importance. Many of older generation firefighters of today's society maintain this attitude and truly believe that it is correct “Don’t need a piece a paper or degree to fight a fire or run a fire department.” The challenge that many are facing is that these firefighters do not see the value in the in the process to obtain that "piece of paper". Now the idea that a person that has that "piece of paper" with "NFPA 1021 Fire Officer I" certification is also fooling themselves if they think that is all that is needed. They are right there with the firefighters thinking that on the job training is the only way. Every person that rides the seat of a piece of responding apparatus needs the basic certifications and qualifications. The build on particular knowledge, skills, and abilities they need the most important part of the education and learning process. They need a proven qualified mentor to take that certification and how to utilize that education to put it to practicum on street. No piece of paper will ever ride the seat. The true officer with the proper education and mentorship will the true hero of the "Big Red Truck".

With the right certifications to ride "the seat" comes the next question. What are the required certifications to do the job? Most will think that to drive the truck I need an approved NFPA Driver/Operator certification. Well that is correct, but is there more certification they need before fully taking on the responsibility of their crew? Certifications a driver needs to obtain such as Driver/Operator Tender or Driver/Operator Aerial, Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC) to name a few. Other courses such as, Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) or Emergency Vehicle Technician course are more classes the driver should obtain. Oh and let us not forget about having the appropriate drivers license for the jurisdiction the department is located. We are now talking about hundreds of hours of training for that one driver, but is it not important? Again the answer is yes if they are expected or possibly be tasked to do the job. This can apply to every single position, rank, and extra duty assignment that every firefighter can have in the Fire/EMS service.

So what does Life Safety Incentive #5 really mean to the fire service? Education, training, certifications, mentorship, and OJT (on the job training) that is what needs to be in every firefighter, fire officer, chief officer, and decision maker top three priorities when it comes to our ensuring the successful progression of our beloved Fire service. This would also involve regular and continuous education for the positions that they currently are expected to obtain in order to promote to the next level of all education possible.

“Let no man’s ghost return to say that his training failed him” Unknown author

R. Craig Kolls Jr.

texasfirefighter12@yahoo.com

Division Chief Kyle Fire Department/Assistant Chief Chisholm Trail Fire Rescue

Texas EGH Advocate