A new approach to back-to-basics training was recently delivered at Firehouse.com. The latest post on Training and Tactics in over a year, Chief Doug Cline leads a discussion on training philosophies with Battalion Chief Jeffery Pindelski and Buddy Hyde. Together they discussed what is needed to be looked into regarding the training of firefighters and officers.
Training & Tactics Talk: Training Philosophies
The podcast is open to comments.
Interesting statements from the podcast:
- The breakdown is in basic skills; a lot of tasks expected are advanced skills that rely on the solid foundation of basic skills
- Early retirements; rapid promotions; backgrounds are missing from the newer generations
- The “slide tray” (personal experiences) we have is limited, affecting our choices and decisions
- Pulling hoselines and throwing ladders is timeless
- Need to focus training on the actual risks and fireground evolutions
- We’re not aggressive but reckless; identify the difference
- Need to have veteran officers participating, not just leading and being off on the sidelines
- Firefighters need to better understand the technology given to them
- Building construction and fire behavior are predictable situations; how does this affect our operations?
- Some of our tactics were built long before the situations we’re experiencing today
- Need to focus on failures, close calls
- Settling for the status quo
