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Training new Probies
Ok I have a new group of Rookies that are in their 4th week. We only train twice a week.
The new group is only 5. (4 guys and 1 gal.)
I have this one guy that I don't think will make it through and if he does I'm not sure he will really be able to be safe.
He is a really a good guy and definately has the desire but not the smarts,
He is the hardest working of the bunch.
I have had several in the past that I have let go due to one reason or the other, and it never bothered me, but this guy is different. Any suggestions?
The new group is only 5. (4 guys and 1 gal.)
I have this one guy that I don't think will make it through and if he does I'm not sure he will really be able to be safe.
He is a really a good guy and definately has the desire but not the smarts,
He is the hardest working of the bunch.
I have had several in the past that I have let go due to one reason or the other, and it never bothered me, but this guy is different. Any suggestions?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Engineco913 on
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Im lost. Hes the hardest worker, but doesnt have smarts? That is something that time can help you develope them into. Given some time, and more training, he should catch on. I never had this happen to us, so Its hard to really think of a cure all. I would definately be leary of letting go of the hardest worker, or person who tries the hardest.
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Permalink Reply by turk182 on
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I usually never turn anyone away I will go over training with them until they pick up on it and let them know if they ever have a question on anything ask and i will help them. i found that some guys or gals take longer to catch on to certain things. So I tell them no to be affraid to ask me for help. I had a female firefighter who was affraid of embarrassing herself and she was the first female to get her FFI in my company. Sotake your time with them I always say there are alot of jobs that need done on a fire scene watch and pick their strengths and go with that until they pick it up. It pays off in the long run.
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Permalink Reply by Darrell Dennison on
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I will keep trying he is trying very hard, but I would rather turn him away than have him get hurt doing a task he thinks he can do. I will give him quite a while befor I release him to go on any 1st or2nd line trucks.
Thanks
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Permalink Reply by Kevin King on
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What we do comes from the heart and soul not the mind.If he has the want and the drive you say he has train him on pumps first,give the extra attention he needs further down the line.There is always a solution.Find out what his strong points are and place him accordingly or put him with someone that has the patience to work with him.I know some outstanding Firefighters that if you watched them in everyday life would scare the shit out of you.I've said this many times before here it is again:This thing that we do chooses you,you can try to choose it but only a few will be choosen by it.If its meant to be he'll make it if not he'll go home.everyone has their strong points and each of them is just as important and vital as the other, as one can't function without the other.Most places that I've served at the rookie startes at the plug or pond(supply)then moves to the truck(delivery)then moves to the nossel(application).You've got to follow the hose to learn the hose right!Rescue,RIT or whatever your Dept. calls it is something that comes with experience and knowledge not straight off the bus.
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Permalink Reply by Yank2441 on
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If someone has the work ethic, I believe they can be trained to be a good fire fighter. Although, sometimes there are those that finish at the top of their firefighting class that you can't push into the heat.
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Permalink Reply by wilyapesmasher on
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i think it depends. if he is just slow at memorizing necessary knowledge, that is one thing, but if he consistently shows poor judgement it isn't worth endangering others on the department. all the desire in the world is great, but the job is dangerous enough without wondering whether this guy will make a well-intentioned fatal error. on the other hand, if he just has a different learning style, or even just needs to have a longer recruit period, well the guy is seriously committed and it will be worth the wait for both of you.
have the other firefighters had a chance to get to know him? you shouldn't have to make this call alone (or solely with the help of online forum). they will have to trust him for him to be a part of the team.
that's a hard question to answer without examples of why you have doubts. if he misses test questions, work with him. if he tries to put fires out by driving trucks over them, sprays water on fuel fires, or otherwise takes ACTIONS that put others in DANGER, then you have to make a hard call and put safety first.
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Permalink Reply by Dan Hoey on
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Make him an Officer that will save some steps...ITS A JOKE!!! Relax!!!!!Don't give up keep working with him and make him understand how important it is to learn I know a guy, good kid hard working but sometimes just doesnt think and we did a lot of training and when he made a mistake we spent a lot of time teaching the result of the mistake. If worse comes to worse pt on an engine for sure..ANOTHER JOKE RELAX...
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Permalink Reply by Derek R. on
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In our dept. we have a similar situation with a fellow. Officer's weren't sure how to procede with him. But just like the comments are suggesting, we are seeing where he is showing more skills and letting him swim there for a bit, then put him a little deeper. He's asking a lot of questions, no-one makes fun of him, he askes for a demonstration of a certain tool or procedure. Things are progressing very well with him. I can see him soon becoming one with the nozzle. Damn hard worker in everything he does. Just a different way of learning. Don't count your fella out yet. As for worrying about potential harm to him or others, have him go and watch an actual fire scene a few times, then later on, give him a job to do. Like mentioned earlier,"learn by seeing, hearing and doing". See which one of those he responds to better. Never know, could turn out to be a great firefighter.
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Wow...just noticed the date of the last reply. Guess I need to catch up some more,eh?.. lol.
So now I say,,,, I hope he turned out ok..it.s been a couple years. Would be neat to hear an update on this situation..
Take care everyone...peace.
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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What do you mean by smarts? Bookwork, decision making, situational awareness?
Are you the only training officer?
Are you willing to take another day aside and do some extra training?
Is there someone else on the dept you could ask to do some extra training with him?
Problem here is we just don't have much to go on to really know how to help. You have some great advice so far, but if you are worried if he will be safe and such, concentrate on the basics an the safety of the basics first. Can he throw a ladder safely? Advance a line safely? Open a hydrant safely? Operate a saw safely? Is he able to do the tasks asked of him? If he can and you are still leary about him being safe of making decisions right, assign him to an officer. Bring your concerns up to the officers that he doesn't leave their site. If anything extend his probation and let him know why and if things don't get better, then you may have to let him go. Thing is, some people may view him differently than you and he could be a good FF, he just may need some more time and closer supervision.
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Permalink Reply by Reg Mathis on
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I would recommend having the class brain tutor him. Sometimes just having a different person explain the exact same thing you just went over can cause the light bulb to glow! Other than that, I would follow the previous suggestions of repeat, repeat and repeat again...
TCSS
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