As we all know things are different now than they were back in the day when it comes to the fire service. Even for myself, with having 16 years in the volunteer world things have changed dramatically. One of those things that scares me is training. I feel as though our training has been reduced in effectiveness to meet the level of what todays firefighters are willing to spend time learning/practicing.
Now this could just be me because I have met some superb volunteers who just live to train. God bless 'em. They know their craft and still practice the hell out of it. Basic or advanced they train like it's the real thing every time.
So I recently borrowed a neighboring department's forcible entry prop and had a drill strictly on forcing doors, inward and outward. It was a good drill, good hands on skills and pretty basic, however it still gave the good hands on experience needed to learn many things. I'm hoping a few people learned some things.
So now I'm looking to my next training goal. I have the basics to go through like preplanning, ladders, hydrants, etc. But I'm looking for something we can do inside and inhouse.
I know there's plenty of people out there with great ideas, just hoping to maybe here something I might be missing to get some people more interested and have more fun at drill.
Thanks in advance.
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Mongo,
What I do during extreme hot/cold training nights is pick a structure or area within our district, print off overhead satelite pictures (Google Earth), and let a person be IC for that mock incident.
It makes for good roundtable discussions and great pre-planning.
1. Nearest water supply
2. Response time for nearest 2nd due.
3. Exposures
4. HAZMAT incident considerations
Thanks for your willingness to stay sharp.
Keep serving brother.
One of the first drills I ran as a training officer on my #2 POC FD was a hose advancement drill. A team of 3 started at the front of one engine and had to advance the line to the rear of the rig, go across the back, then back to the front, across the front of the next engine, down the side and all the way to the back door of the station.
This drill taught teamwork, how to move hose around multiple corners, stockpiling hose at corners, and communicating amongst crew members. All necessary to get the task done. By the way the line was charged.
Another drill I set up was a restricted passage drill. I built a section of wall using scrap plywood and 2x4's. the section is 4 feet wide and 4 feet tall with a section cut out that is the width of the channel between 2 studs (14 3/4 inches) and 20 inches high. The drill is to have firefighters in full PPE and SCBA make it through the opening. Obviously, removing the SCBA from their pack yet maintaining the seal and control of the SCBA while passing through is a crucial element of this.
Kyle,
It sounds like you have a fun group that is willing to try anything. The most fun
we've had while training at the same time was to make a 100 foot ring of charged
2 1/2 line and place an old bowling ball at the center with a three man hose team on each side trying to push the ball onto the others side. Make sure you have that third man to keep the hose slack out of the way because it involves a lot of fast moving.
It is challenging to continually come up with creative drills but when it becomes expected then attendance is never a problem so it is worth it. Never thought of
dodgeball. Thanks.
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