We are looking at hiring upwards to 16 new firefighters (based on passage of a levy lid lift). This is a good time to look at our first year firefighter training process. I would like to hear you FOOLS and see what has worked well for you.

We currently send our new guys to Bates for a 9 week Recruit Academy. Afterwards we assign them to two weeks of days to learn the “Olympia Way”. After this orientation period they will then be assigned to their shift and work each of our 3 stations for 3 months at each house. During this time we perform daily and monthly evaluations of the member’s performance. We cover maps, pumping, ladders and hose evolutions.

I would like to hear how map studying is addressed at your department. If you have recently gone through this process and experienced something that worked well to inspire and prepare you for the job I would be especially interested in hearing from you. If you have first year firefighter training SOP's to share I would like to take a look at them and see if we can incoperate new ideas into our program.

Thanks in advance for your experience and input,

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Mike Buchanan

Olympia Fire Department

Buc, email/contact info?

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"Stay low boys, keep those feet moving."

“We did our job, and that’s what we’re paid to do. There’s nothing more to say.’’
John Smith, Boston Fire Department

DTRT- KTF

I would really take a close look at what the State Fire Academy is teaching and what Bates is teaching. Call me and I will share with you my opinion on the two programs pros and cons. Other than that I would say, give the proby's tons of reps. Over and Over and Over.

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Josh Materi
Seattle Fire Dept.

Mike,

I will speak on the map part of your question. Here in Kent our new guys have four different maps they are expected to know. The first is our "major response routes" map. Just like it sounds this map is just our major roadways. They get tested on this map before they are even assigned to shift. The other three maps are map pages from our map book. They cover areas that are harder to learn, and those are learned after they are assigned to shift, and learning how to drive the aid cars.

Before I go too much further a few things you should know... Our new guys don't drive engines, or trucks and don't learn any pumping/operating. Also our addressing system can be broken down into two parts. The first is the City of Kent propers addressing system which is from way back in the day. Most streets are named and the hundred block system is different than the standard King County system. The second and larger addressing system is just the standard King County system, and that's fairly easy to learn/grasp. It might also be good to know that our culture here might be different than yours. Our drivers are expected to be able to get us in the general area of the call, and the officer will then use the map to guide us to the specific area/address. Although most of the time if you're in your first due this probably isn't necessary.

So, those second three map pages they must study and memorize are the main pages that incorporate the City of Kent addressing system, and mostly they are named streets. You have to know where they are to know where you are going. Basically they are given the expectation and then expected to know the material when it's time for their test. We don't have a specific way they learn or study those maps. Everyone finds the way that works best for them. If they need help they are expected to ask. We don't hold their hands, they are expected to be grown ups.

I guess I should also include that they are given a basic class in map reading. So they learn the difference between streets and aves, hundred blocks, etc. This is usually done in our "post academy" before shift work starts.

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Kevin O'Keefe

"Remember aggressiveness does not imply an unsafe advance or reckless disregard for operational safety. Aggressive is the opposite of passive; we must fight fires with determination..." - Ray McCormack

I'd like to hear about Bates too. I know the State Academy had a reputation of being to hard-core and some folks complained. The state has now gone in the complete opposite direction, and perhaps a little too far. Folks asked for less whips and chains, and now they're turning out teddy bears and rainbows.

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Bryan Martin
THE 16 TRUCK

"Let no man's ghost return to say his training let him down"

"This must be the place!"

Yeah but they're really TOUGH rainbows......FOOL!

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Remember where you came from.
Learn to Live

Teddy bears and rainbows? really? In my opinion the state acadamey is putting out the best product around. They are not worried about IFSTA ( you still study it for your FF1 but its not the focus) or BS head games they are teaching progressive technics and tactics with a heavy dose of firemanship. Best thing you can do for your probies.

Derek Roberts
E23 SCFD 1

Although it's against my better judgment, I'm going to agree with Derek. I've been to the State Academy twice, both times were post-Bates. I've talked to a number of guys who were there in the "old days", ie pre-2002, and it seems like the most memorable thing for them was the Push-up Bank (with Mt Si Tavern coming in a close second). Clearly that program has a long tradition of starting out some great careers but this new approach we're seeing up there puts a HUGE emphasis on fire behavior and then uses that foundation of understanding to explain and justify pretty much every task we perform on the fire ground. And then, like everyone, we drill-baby-drill. I mean, IFSTA hardly scratches the surface of what's presented AND drilled again and again and again. It's designed to produce a recruit who is more prepared to "read" the conditions and anticipated changes so that he can tailor his tactics. These are the things that previousely could only come from experience and the State Academy is giving it's recruits a jump start to compensate for the reduced frequency of fires. Take it or leave it but this FF gained one hell of a lot from that program...most importantly, a passion and respect for our craft that I expect will carry me through the next 25 years. Time will tell.

-Matt

_________________
Remember where you came from.
Learn to Live

Interesting how the topic went from Probationary Firefighter Training, asking about map studying and testing, training process(es), and if your department has any firefighter training SOP’s, to where and why send our recruits for their fire academy.

First, brother (Buchanan) I’d like to answer your initial question.

SCFD7 has a fairly large probationary training manual the recruits are responsible for. In this book it outlines what is expected of them and how they are suppose to do things - “The SCFD7 Way”, if you will.

I can see if we have a copy in the Training Division that I can ship to you. Let me know.

The proby’s probation is one year. The book covers the entire year with bi-monthly BC evaluations and quarterly evaluations with the Training Captain. Because they are in the fire academy and post-academy (in house) for three months, they only get four BC evaluations and three evaluations with the Training Captain before their final evaluation.

In the post-academy, the probies are taken thru the department hose manual and train on it for several days. They also get an IMS lecture and class. They attend operations level confined space, trench, and rope class. Lastly, they get Rescue Systems I training for a week.

In the probationary book, the proby has several task sheets on EMS and firefighting for them to complete with their officer. The Training Captain will test them on this information during one of their scheduled evaluations. The proby’s shift BC is part of their on-going evaluations as well. Also in the book are hundreds of questions the proby must answer and will be tested on during any of their progressive evaluations with the Training Division and their BC. The questions range from firefighting and EMS to procedures.

As for the mapping…the probies are responsible for the entire fire district…all 60 square miles including the city of Mill Creek. During their final evaluation, the proby has to draw out on a large sheet of paper (5’x5’ or larger) the entire district from memory. The Training Division expects them to get all the main roads and dead ends and most of the roads…it’s not as detailed as a wall map. There is some leeway on detail, but not much. I can say this…I’m glad that I didn’t have to do it when I was a proby.

Also at the proby’s final evaluation; they give a presentation on a topic of their choice related to firefighting or EMS. An example…in the last probationary class, one of the probies did a presentation on “life of the window” and had real windows made up to look as if they had darkening, cracks, condensation…the whole works. It was a great presentation.

I like our probationary process because it is very thorough. There is not much room for anything else to be added into the book. It keeps the proby busy while at work for the whole year. Those who take their book home and work on are very successful. Those who only work on it while at work struggle if not fail. The book has taken out a few probies over the last 5 or so years.

Things that I would change…I’d like to see more on-going evaluations from the Training Division and the shift BC. I’m also not a big fan of the proby having to draw out the entire fire district from memory. Not because I think it is a waste of time, because I’d like to see them spend this effort drilling and fine tuning their skills. And/or make the final project more comprehensive, with a paper (15-20 pages) included with their presentation.

Now…as for the fire academy debate. I have to agree with all of you. And, as a state adjunct / recruit instructor, I get to see how one class compares with another. Also, I have instructed and assisted for our 2008 proby class of 18 recruits. And I have instructed for the GRIT Academy (Getchell Fire) for the last four years, which is on the other extreme of things (see video at the bottom).

I agree…the state fire academy puts out a much more informed firefighter then they did when I graduated (89-4). I love the fire behavior emphasis and how it ties to everything the recruit learns and does throughout the academy. It is the backbone and foundation of their training.



I’d like to see just a little more discipline at the state academy. How it is currently structured will not allow for this, though. As an adjunct instructor, I am not there enough to see a recruit’s progress to be giving more then instruction and guidance. The company officer(s) - because sometimes there is more then one - come from varying backgrounds. Some (most) are there learning the same stuff the recruits are. They too are trying to hang on and learn as much as possible. The time and effort they spend doing this really makes it hard for them to structure a more disciplined environment. And, their background and department culture will be the basis for which they determine the level of structured discipline in the academy. No two departments sending company officers up are the same in this respect. Just watch the video below.

For there to be more discipline at the state academy, the company officers would have to be assigned to the state academy for more then just one academy; most likely for a year or longer. And, there would have to be more then one company officer for 20 recruits.

The Washington State Patrol is able to do run a very discipline academy…and we’re a division of them. So why can’t we?

I’ll close with this…many of you have expressed frustration on these forums about building a culture in your department. How the generation just doesn’t get it. Well...this culture comes from those who are currently here doing it. You have a huge impact in this…if you so choose. Moreover, building upon this is hiring the right people and giving them clear expectations, which supported by your department’s culture. Clear expectations are best given to them when they are new…at the fire academy. I’m not saying to bring back the “dying cockroach” for those who remember those good old days. What I am saying is…it is up to us to instill a higher level of expectation and discipline. Why not pair this with the best didactic on fire behavior being taught in any fire academy in the nation…just as you would a nice wine with a thick well seasoned steak.

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- Rev. Robbie Fisher

"Those without information in this business get themselves or others injured and killed. Modern firefighting is not a game for those who 'dabble' in the field." - Deputy Chief Anthony Avillo

We do a combination of in-house and state just depending on the size of the class. After academy the recruits go into EMT school, then start doing day shifts while doing EMT. Once they graduate EMT, it's on to the full 48 (48/96). All training from there is up to the station officers and how it's organized seems to change every class. I think the most current iteration is to do a stint in the city and a stint in the county. The rotation might be city station, county station, city, county, etc. The current rookie book I believe has a city section (heavy on mapping and knowing complexes, preplans, etc.) and a county section (long hoselays, shuttle ops, etc.) The last recruit class also did a rotation through the Truck House for their truck section, but I'm told subsequent classes won't be doing that anymore as it's too much to take on anymore.

As far as the earlier comment, I should say that I agree with Rob, they are turning out some amazingly well trained firefighters. We try to teach them some of the newest, latest and greatest, and it turns out they've already been taught that in academy. The only thing that disappoints me is the lack of discipline and respect that we're seeing nowadays. Maybe I'm just a grumpy old man... "those damn young whipper-snappers!"

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Bryan Martin
THE 16 TRUCK

"Let no man's ghost return to say his training let him down"

"This must be the place!"

Rob,

Great posts. i will forward this to BC Hewell who is taking on this project. If the probie manual is needed I will contact you.

Thanks again to all that replied.

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Mike Buchanan

Olympia Fire Department

Buc, since the email attachment didn't work, heres a link:
attachments_2010_07_09.zip

I can email/upload any books that you'd like to see that the series references.

It was great talking to you the other day brother.

_________________
"Stay low boys, keep those feet moving."

“We did our job, and that’s what we’re paid to do. There’s nothing more to say.’’
John Smith, Boston Fire Department

DTRT- KTF

Thanks Bro.

Good talking to you the other day as well. I appreciate you taking the time to forward me these documents. This was a good reminder of how much information new firefighters must learn. I am glad that I do not have to be probie firefighter again

Take care and hope you come home to visit soon.

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Mike Buchanan

Olympia Fire Department

Fischer: Hey do you have any other fire behavior video clips by Capt Tanaka or Omlid? I attended the academy at north bend and its nice to have means of rewinding, for the stuff that went over my head. Any other fire behavior info would be sweet too.
Thanks
Matt Fleischbein