BY DAVID G. KILBURY
Do you ever find yourself saying, “If I only had more money in my training budget, I could really enhance our department’s training program”? Many training officers throughout the country are finding their training budgets shrinking while simultaneously being expected to maintain or even enhance their fire department’s training. It is frustrating to be told “Do more with less” when it relates to training fire department personnel. Is it conceivable to accomplish such a task when it comes to personnel training? Quite possibly, if you use creative alternatives to enhance the training opportunities available to you and your department.
LOOK INSIDE YOUR DEPARTMENT
Have you ever heard the expression that you have to go at least a hundred miles from your department to find an expert? Well, guess what? You just may have personnel inside your department that another fire department a hundred miles away considers expert. Many departments have personnel who are unrecognized or underutilized for training. Many times departments have spent budgeted fire department dollars on getting these individuals trained and educated. These individuals may have moved into positions that caused them to be overlooked as a training resource.
Senior members with years of experience on the job are often overlooked as potential trainers as well. These personnel have learned many “tricks of the trade” that could help other department personnel perform their firefighting duties in a more safe and effective manner. In addition, many personnel may have part-time or previous employment in specialty trades or industry fields that could benefit department members. If you do not know the potential of knowledge or experience that exists within your own fire department, take the time to find out. If asked, these individuals might be eager to conduct training for department personnel on a topic in which they specialize.
RETIRED FIRE PROFESSIONALS
Some of the most experienced and knowledgeable fire professionals available have recently retired from the fire service. Can they help with your department’s training needs? Most would jump at the chance to assist their local fire department if asked. These individuals need not have retired from your department. Many training officers may be surprised at just how many retired fire pro-fessionals have relocated to their community.
How would a training officer go about contacting retired fire professionals in the area? Utilize community service bulletins on television stations, classified advertisements in the local newspaper, local church worship bulletins, inserts in local utility bill mailings, word of mouth, signs outside of fire stations; the list could go on.
Be aware that in some communities (large retirement communities) the response might be overwhelming. Be specific in establishing just what type of criteria or qualifications your department is seeking in its search for retired fire professionals.
A typical advertisement may read: “The XYZ Fire Department is currently attempting to establish a resource list of retired fire professionals who have relocated to or reside in our community to assist in future training programs. If you are a retired fire professional with work experience or specialties related to the field of public or private fire protection and would be interested in assisting our fire department’s training program, please contact Captain John Smith, Training Director, at 555-1212.”
Once you identify these individuals, be selective, and verify their credentials before involving them in a fire department training program.
“TRADE THE TRAINER” PROGRAM
Try using training personnel from other departments. They do not necessarily have to have the title of “training officer,” but it may be wise to begin with a department’s official training officer simply to promote goodwill. Then he can recommend other personnel in his department who have specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities that can benefit your department. Your department’s training officer should be on hand at these training sessions to answer department-specific questions and make clarifications that may arise during the session.
LOCAL FIRE INSTRUCTORS ASSOCIATION
Ask your local fire instructors association for a list of instructors and training topics available. Be sure to attend one of the association meetings and explain that your department is looking for creative alternatives to enhance its training program. If no monies will be available from your department to pay an association member, say so in advance. Many fire instructors will understand if your training budget is extremely limited, prohibiting paying outside instructors. As an incentive to acquire a specific instructor when funding is limited, offer the potential instructor a letter of recommendation on your fire department’s letterhead concerning the excellent training he provided. The instructor may forgo payment from your department, seeing the potential such a letter may bring to his credibility as a fire instructor to other departments in the future.
If you don’t have a fire instructors association in your region, create one! It may take some time and work on your part, but the training information and professional relationships that may arise from such an effort will bring many rewards and training opportunities in the future.
PUBLIC AGENCIES
Various public agencies offer training that may benefit your department. Do not overlook agencies that routinely work side-by-side with you at an incident. Contact your local police department’s training officer and discuss topics or situations that could benefit department personnel, such as workplace violence, mass shooting incidents, crime scene contamination, vehicle accidents, suicide, and arson.
Other public agencies include local utility companies (i.e., gas, water, sewer, electric), Department of Transportation, United States Coast Guard, Port Authority, National Guard, Emergency Medical Services, Medical Examiner, State Attorney’s Office, and hospitals. Have a specific training topic in mind when contacting any of these agencies.
PRIVATE INDUSTRY
Many private companies are good about contacting and including the local fire department in their emergency planning and training. However, many more would be willing to train if you contacted them. Good training officers know that some of the best training available is offered by a cooperative interest between a private company and its respective fire department. For example, imagine your fire department personnel training first-hand with the driver of a gasoline tanker while being able to observe and identify the safety features and functions associated with such vehicles. One telephone call to a private company in that industry, and you can usually have a gasoline tanker parked at a convenient site for a training session. This training concept applies to railroad cars, aircraft, pressurized tanks, and any other machinery that may be unfamiliar to fire department personnel.
Private fire protection companies (fire alarm, sprinkler/standpipe, and fire extinguisher) can offer valuable training opportunities at sites they currently protect or buildings currently under construction. On-site visits with a private fire protection company can greatly enhance department personnel’s knowledge of private fire protection systems.
PARTICIPATE IN FIRE SAFETY DRILLS
Many organizations are required to conduct a certain number of fire drills per year as per fire code or insurance requirements. These fire drills can offer an excellent opportunity for the fire department to be involved in a unique training experience. Many organizations would like to see the fire department connect to hydrants and standpipes and walk through their facilities in conjunction with their required fire drills. It gives the employees of the organization the impression that fire safety and fire drills are to be taken seriously at this company. In addition to providing excellent training, the positive public relations generated by such fire drills will enhance your department’s image.
Conducting realistic fire drills at local schools can be the highlight of Fire Safety Week. Imagine the impact fire department personnel and equipment in a realistic training evolution can have on school children during the last day of Fire Safety Week. A training event such as this in cooperation with the local school just may convince a school-age child to pursue a career in the fire service.
OBTAIN USE OF PRIVATE BUILDINGS
Many private buildings may be obtained for fire department training if the training officer or fire department official contacts the correct building official. It may take some time in large buildings to locate and identify the building representative who has the authority to approve fire department training in the building. If the building representative is hesitant at first, suggest using only the building stairwells for a fire department physical fitness program. Then, as time progresses and no problems have developed, attempt to get permission for additional training options within the building. Keep in mind that the building may only be available for use late at night or on weekends.
Large residential buildings that have some type of governing homeowner’s association are also excellent for fire department training. Attending one of the homeowner’s meetings in departmental dress uniform while presenting this idea before the governing board can have positive results. Many occupants will have a feeling of comfort and security knowing their local fire department is training in their building. Be aware that the use of these buildings will usually require that hose evolutions be conducted under “no water flow” scenarios.
If you have difficulty obtaining the use of a private building for fire department training, try to offer something in return-fire department personnel in dress-uniform during a company’s employee health fair or safety fair, for example. Or provide training to or assist in organizing a building fire brigade. Arrange for a staffed fire apparatus to be on display during special events at the building. Conduct fire extinguisher training for representatives of the building in live-fire training sessions. It may take some time to get access to the building to perform the desired training your department has in mind, but be patient. Building representatives have a huge responsibility in caring for large buildings, and you might not be a priority.
HOST A FIRE TRAINING SYMPOSIUM
Work within the capacity of your fire department training facility or use another facility in your community such as a hotel, banquet hall, or city hall chambers to host a fire training symposium. If you have never attended such an event, attend one to get an idea of how to organize it. Remember, start out small and narrow the topic to specifics for your first symposium. The event can grow in subsequent years. Select a fire-related topic that is vital to your fire department and to others in your region as well. This event might even generate revenues for your training program if designed correctly. The symposium can benefit local businesses as well. In addition, a training symposium can generate excellent public relations and professional networking opportunities for your fire department.
Limited funding for training is a problem that fire departments will face well into the new millennium. With shrinking training budgets and expectations to maintain or even enhance the level of training, many training officers are scratching their heads and asking, “How?” By using these creative alternatives to enhance their training program, training officers might find the job a little easier.
