The Firefighter Training Journey

Training Notebook ❘ By Justin Bailey

When firefighters struggle with a particular skill, we say they need to train more. If a new hazard arrives in our district, such as a lithium battery storage facility, we train on how to combat that type of fire. Training is a true risk management tool for the fire department. It also needs to be a priority in every firefighter’s life.

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Firefighters often wonder where they are in their personal journey in terms of training. I have seen firefighters attempt to begin their fire officer level training when they clearly need to focus on more basic skills. This creates gaps in their training. Over time, these gaps can cause firefighters to have a diminished skill set—even on the basics.

We can break the firefighting training journey down into three categories: the foundation, growth and mastery, and passing it on. For each category, firefighters need to develop a specific set of skills for a specific length of time.

Years 1 to 3: The Foundation

Every firefighter’s training needs a solid foundation. Foundational training begins with year one and lasts until about year three. This is when firefighters should be establishing basic firefighter skills.

Every firefighter’s journey begins with a basic fire academy of some sort. You’ll have variations throughout the country with differing time requirements. No matter the time requirements, this academy’s focus should be on delivering instruction and developing skills to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001 Firefighter I and II levels.

In addition to the basic firefighter academy, fire departments need to establish a basic foundational skill set that they want their firefighters to know. This is so that the firefighters will be able to work in their system. For some systems, this may include rural water supply operations or even how to operate as a member of a rapid intervention team. It’s important to establish this foundational skill set locally as there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

These additional foundational skills or reinforcement of basic academy skills can be completed at the company level. Companies need to take the time to develop their firefighters’ skills and not assume that they already know them just because they have completed an academy or have a Firefighter I or Firefighter II certification. Establishing a task-book process will provide you with a record of the training and a guide covering what skills need to be completed.

I have seen fire departments fall into the trap of trying to force firefighters at the foundational level to develop more advanced skill sets, such as pump operations. But before they can take on a higher level of skill, firefighters need to have a good base level of skills. Patience is key.

Years 3 to 15: Growth and Mastery

The next stage in a firefighter’s training journey is growth and mastery. While true growth continues throughout a career, year 15 has peaked as the end, due to that being the time that the next level of the journey begins.

During the growth and mastery stage, firefighters truly develop their skill set. In his book Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell popularized the “10,000-hour rule,” which is the notion that mastering any skill takes 10,000 hours. It’s worth keeping this idea in mind, especially during the growth and mastery stage of your journey.

As a general rule, firefighters should dedicate two to four hours of every shift toward training. We often get these numbers from the Insurance Services Office (ISO) or for accreditation. These numbers are true for developing a mastery over a certain skill. We often see a focus on the amount of time firefighters should dedicate to drills and training, but the true focus should be on the actual skill.

The growth and mastery stage represents the time for firefighters to grow in their craft and transition to new positions within the department. And with each new role, they’ll need to focus on training to master this new-to-them skill set. Here are three helpful suggestions for remaining focused and having a successful training experience.

1. Hold mini training sessions. For each topic shift, hold a short training session. For example, you could hold 30-minute sessions on topics including hazmat, EMS, firefighting, and driver operator skills. Mini sessions can help keep people’s attention.
2. Plan out a personal development program. In addition to shift training, firefighters need a plan for development. They can start by evaluating their own current skill level and training portfolio.
3. Set goals. After evaluating yourself, think about where you want to be in one year, three years, and five years. Once you have established your goals, plan out what classes you want to take or conferences you want to attend to be able to meet each goal.

Growth and mastery will sometimes take personal resources that you must use to invest in yourself. This can include time and financial resources. Involve others, such as a partner, spouse, or other family members who may be affected by the planning process. Having their buy-in and support will help you stay on track.

Year 15 and Beyond: Passing It On

By about year 15 through retirement, you’ll have the ability to “pass it on” through mentorship and preparing the next generation for what lies ahead. Some firefighters see this as the time in their career when they can “coast.” But the reality is that others are watching your example.

Once you’ve developed mastery in a skill set, it’s time to prepare the next generation. This doesn’t mean you have to teach a class. Often, firefighters learn better from other people’s example: learning how to complete a task or attending mini one-on-one sessions. These approaches allow the new firefighter to learn from a veteran in a more relaxed setting.

An additional benefit of “passing it on” is that you can reinforce some basic skills that may have diminished over the years. When you prepare to teach a skill, you continue to master that same skill. This is often because firefighters drill to perfect a skill before they present it to others to reduce embarrassment or to ensure the proper technique is being taught. This is beneficial to not only the student but also the firefighter.

In addition to serving as a teacher, you are now the mentor. Mentoring is merely a way of guiding behavior. And what better way is there to train someone than to show them that you still train as well? You can show newer firefighters your willingness to continue training by attending trade shows, mini conferences, and classes or even simply by reading a trade magazine. Don’t just tell others how to develop themselves; show them how to develop themselves.

The Long Game

Remember that training and development is a marathon, not a sprint. You are not going to develop mastery level skills overnight. Give yourself time for planning and proper practice. Knowing where you currently are in your training journey will put you on the right path to mastery level skills.

JUSTIN BAILEY is a 25-year veteran of the fire service. He is chief of the Oliver Springs (TN) Fire Department and a captain/training officer with the Knoxville (TN) Fire Department, where he has served since 2007. In addition, Bailey is a part-time fire instructor with the state of Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy, delivering classroom and hands-on instruction on various topics on campus, at regional fire conferences, and at various local fire departments throughout Tennessee. He has presented on volunteer training program development, professional development, and rural fireground management at local and national fire conferences. He has an associate degree in allied health science from Roane State Community College and a bachelor’s degree in fire administration from Columbia Southern University.