Training

So I have a question for everyone. I have been trying to finish up my FF1 proboard cert. I am running into a problem with my department. First let me start off with my department is small, like 6 guys small. Our cheif is the grant writer/training officer/everything else. That is the way he likes it. My problem has to do with our training nights that have always been a BS session. I have brought this up to the cheif several times, but it always ends up being "well we will get serious next time" I have even gone to the point off offering training ideas, just to have them shot down, because of the weather, lack of a crew ect...All of the other members are very green, and care more about wearing the helmet then doing the job (I think our chief shares this belife)I really want to get my FF1 done but I dont see it happening through my cheif. Do you guys have any ideas because I am out. Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Jason Koontz on October 27, 2010 at 1:52am

find another station or department

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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on October 27, 2010 at 2:16am

Sounds like you should pack your things an head on down the road.

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Permalink Reply by FETC on October 27, 2010 at 7:41am

Can I ask a question Chris. What does your department have to do with "finishing up" your pro-board FF1 certification.

To be pro-board it needs to be done under a controlled environment, syllabus, pro-board L/P and materials, specific amount of time, props, and the instructors need to all be pro-board certified as well.

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Permalink Reply by Captain Ron on October 27, 2010 at 9:01pm

Chris
It sounds like you are involved in a boys club not a Fire Department and that you have a sense of responsibility to the community. You have three choices.
You can either lead, follow or get the F*#* OUT OF THE WAY!
If you choose to lead, start by talking with the Chief one on one stating your concerns about training, feeling safe on an emergency scene, lack of experience, etc and about your up coming proboard certification. offer to help him with the training.
If that doesn't work,its time to kick it up a notch, put it in writing with a cc to the town council members. Show the letter to the Chief, so he isn't blindsided. Tell him you are concerned enough for the safety of the community and the firefighters that if things don't change you will send the letter. One of two things will happen, either things will change or... it will be time to move on.
At this point you have nothing to loose but your life and a whole lot to gain like the safety of your brothers and improving the protection of the community.

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Permalink Reply by kara-lee allen on October 27, 2010 at 9:21pm

ok chris... looks like you may have to LEAD. my fire hall was very much a boys club (girls included) me and just a couple other members decided training needed to be amped up.. i wanted to TRAIN not BS. so we set up a commitee. the training commitee. we met on not hall practice days. we came up with a plan. a structured plan, and a way to get that plan in gear. then we presented it to the chief. we looked organized. took some meat off his plate. he gave us the go ahead. this training committee is still in existance (we are fine tuning now, basically setting it up for when we gone) now we run practices in 4 or 8 week groups. ie we have 2 -8 week structure fire, 2 -4 week MVC, 4 week water/ice rescue, 4 week farm machinery, and on and on. basically breaking calls down into 2 hour a week "blocks". i have to say there has been some back lash however, from some of the "old boys" who wanted practice to remain as it was. there was some dividing. some ppl left hall, etc... but it the end it has been worth it. OUR fire hall is the shit (lol) we know what to do before we get there, we know our jobs, we are VERY efficient and very speedy. but it took a HUGE push and a lot of extra hours. i guess it depends on how bad you want it. just talking is not going to get you anywhere, and maybe your chief is too busy to set this up.....