Training Targets

This week we are going to look at what areas of our operation can be affected by our training efforts. There are a lot of efforts being expended in "advanced" training topics but let us look at a timeline and how our operations can be looked at in a more effective manner.

The information here comes from a textbook by Larry Davis and he adapted it from a Mr. Rexford Wilson.

Ignition of a fire proceeds for some unknown period of time until there is recognition of that ignition.

The fire department has affected this time by public education, installation of detection and alarm systems.

This recognition leads to detection and then notification of the emergency.

As trainers can we do something about training our dispatchers in handling calls properly and appropriately which could have some affect on our ability to deal with smooth processing.

The next two steps are the alerting point and the time it takes to actually get out point.

Training our personnel in how to react, airpack donning, apparatus mounting, properly dressing etc.

Then we proceed to arrival point and attack point.

As trainers safe driving and responding, and proper line stretching, carry tools and all of those issues can be properly trained upon to reduce the amount of time spent doing these functions.

After the attack point is the actual black out point.

The training during fire attack, nozzle operation, confinement, ventilation, salvage will all have impact on these issues.

My point at this short look of the fire time line is to try and focus our training efforts on those things where the manual application of skills training will make a difference safely. Do not let the focus of time let you cut corners on safe practices, but rather use these points to get the creativity out of your personnel and let them practice, practice, practice until they adapt a more expedient way to acheive the goal.

Focus your training efforts on the spaces between these red highlighted points and you will become more effective as a department and as a training officer.