JAKE RHOADES, EFO, CFO, CTO, CMO, MIFireE, MS, is a 22-year veteran of the fire service and the chief of the Kingman (AZ) Fire Department. He is an elected Board of Director member for the IAFC Safety, Health, and Survival Section. He serves as a principal member of the NFPA technical committee for Firefighter Professional Qualifications and is a certified Phi Theta Kappa Leadership Facilitator. In addition, he received his Professional Instructor designation from ISFSI.
Rhoades presented “Developing a Training Program for Today’s Fire Service” on Monday, April 20, at FDIC International 2015.
CAREER ACHIVEMENTS
“I have been in the fire service for 22 years and it still brings something new every day. From new challenges to educational opportunities, the term “student of the fire service” definitely still applies. I began my career in 1992 in Stillwater Oklahoma and never thought I would end up on the career path that I chose. Many of us experience the same things in the fact that the outside world is not readily apparent or available and I was no different however I always liked to teach and training was always comfortable for me based on my sports background through college and need for a team environment. Somewhere along the way, I realized there was a fire service that I really knew little about and I started getting involved in any and every opportunity that I could, even if it meant really challenging my personal ‘comfort’ zone.
As I was promoted thought the ranks, new opportunities presented themselves and I found my niche, which was training program development and firefighter safety. Each of which I have pursued and developed on numerous fronts. From the Everyone Goes Home Program to becoming a board member for the IAFC Safety, Health, and Survival Section. I also took advantages of opportunities with other departments to ultimately become a fire chief; this still allows me to go train and to be a part of the application of the training program, which is where a lot of departments fall short.
I stay busy in the fire service and continue to push myself to not only become a better leader but also to help the fire service and its members in any way I can to ultimately ensure that they make it home at the end of the day. That is also a reason I am a member of the NFPA committee for professional qualifications, provide training consultations, and serve as a full time instructor at Columbia Southern University.
I have been blessed with my career so far, and to say that I am just getting started would be an understatement!”
PAST FDIC EXPERIENCE
“I have been attending FDIC for several years and presenting for the last five conferences. I can remember when my department would not and could not afford to send anyone but I would get with friends and all share a room and a ride just so we could come and be a part of it. That is why the focus the last couple the last several years have been on getting as many people as possible to Indy. I know what its like to have the journey be difficult but as we all know, FDIC will open your eyes to another world than many have ever experienced. I think the earlier people see this in their career, the better off the fire service will become in the long run.
I have started focused on “Who is the next you.” Developing the future of the fire service is a key factor that none of us take seriously but we should be trying to make those around us better than we are instead of hoarding the knowledge and opportunities. There is a wealth of talent that is untapped and unrealized and it is our job to make it become a reality. This can start with a simple trip to FDIC.”
ON TEACHING AND PRESENTING
“When I first became a Training Officer, I was a ‘one-man band,’ and training was not a department priority and it showed in performance and even the safety on the fireground. In addition, I found time management of the department to be hindering everything, including emergency response. So I began planning and outlining everything that we did and scheduling it on an eight-foot whiteboard. This evolved over the years and became what it is today, ‘Developing a Training Program for Todays Fire Service.’
I realized that you could effectively plan for everything that you needed as the duties and responsibilities of the fire service increased combined with all of the ancillary duties that need to be performed on a daily and annual basis. Even with emergency response, planning and scheduling can be effective for the delivery of training and ensuring the level of proficiency of each and every member of the department.”
MY TOPIC AND THE FIRE SERVICE
“Every department in the United States in struggling in some manner with training, whether it is time management, a lack of buy-in, a lack of resources, accountability issues, or a simple lack of direction and leadership. We all struggle with training and the concepts necessary for success. Some departments get it and some really have no clue and really do not see the reward in pushing a training program. Many do not have the stomach to take on the challenges that come from subordinates and even Fire Chiefs when it comes to training. I always say training is not for the faint of heart because there will always be opposition but there is comfort in the fact that you are not alone, we all experience the same challenges whether we like to admit it or not.
The program that I deliver focuses on the similarities and challenges that we all face as well as some time tested methods to overcome them in order to achieve a successful training program that meets the needs of your department. Everyone wants to develop training based on their department but in reality it becomes: “the way it has always been done” instead of challenging the members and evaluating performance for ultimate accountability.”
THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF WHAT I TEACH
“Planning for training is a team sport. We try to do it alone because we have our beliefs and philosophies instead of selling our programs and attaining buy in through the team process. Forming a Training committee or team is phenomenal ways to attain buy in from the members and also tap additional resources and subject matter experts who can help deliver the training program. Their input is invaluable because what they want in the training program should also be a part of it combined with what is required and identified as weaknesses. We have a lot to balance and everyone has a role in every emergency response including fire, EMS, hazardous materials, technical rescue, and so on. Some people may not like certain topics but that is what we do and the unknown of what emergency we will be called to require us to have a training program that meets our mission and our established level of service.
Forming this training team can mean the difference between a successful and unsuccessful training program and in our business that means the difference between life and death. A recent quote that I have seen that rings home in my program is ‘you cannot train too much for a job that can kill you.’ This really puts training in perspective and it is a statement that is hard to argue with.”
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FDIC EXPERIENCE
“The atmosphere at FDIC is like no other in the world and I relish the opportunity to meet up with friends from around the country and even make new ones. The opportunities to socialize are overwhelming and many organizations put on formal get together that I really look forward to. I also get to be a part of a couple of advisory boards and functions of groups/organizations that I am a part of. I of course look forward to attending other classes and seeing what other instructors are doing as well so that I can learn and take it back to my department. What an amazing week that I cannot wait to be a part of!”
“Who is the next you? What are you doing to make sure the next generation is successful? What are you doing to take the lessons from FDIC back to your department? How are you overcoming the challenges from your fire chief or your firefighters who do not believe in training and its impact on everyday operations? The answers can be found at FDIC. If you are unable to attend my class, you can download my presentation, and hopefully find some answers. Please feel free to contact me as you are not alone!”
