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Comment by Timothy Sendelbach on February 26, 2009 at 8:42am

FETC:

All very valid points. I would also suggest that successful training (of the ALL generations) requires a fair and equal compromise by all parties. In short, we shouldn't be demanding they model the past, nor should the future be a one dimensional "next gen" viewpoint. Our past is not necessarily the best path for the future.

Many thanks again for your comments.

TESendelbach
Editor-in-Chief
FireRescue Magazine

Comment by FETC on February 25, 2009 at 1:42pm

Great video. This only solidifies my statement that we must continue to evaluate one's self with(introspection) to better define our character, traits, and delivery styles within our chosen profession. Whether being a training instructor or a fire officer, understanding interpersonal dynamics with the use of the newest / latest technologies for informational mediums is critical to keep our audience on track.

Positive Behavioral Modification in today's firefighting society with everything that has been instilled into our newer student with values, beliefs and ethics is a huge challenge for the professional educator. Because our internal firehouse audience is multi-generational it can be exacerbated. Some can see the light while others continue to deliver the same style, messsage and mediums to the unaccepting youth of today.

This has a direct effect on everything in the fire service, to include lack of respect, organizational defiance and our traditional para-military make-up both on/off the line. Today's children = tomorrow's firefighter's. They are latch key kids, do what they want, when they want, with whom they want, very little home structure, both parents work, or they are from broken homes and we take them in to accept them into our firefighting family with the expectation to learn, act and operate within our instilled para-military organizational structure.

Takes leaders with great vision to effectively manage the firefighter troops of today. Nice video...

TCSS
FETC

Comment by Mary Ellen Shea on February 21, 2009 at 6:26am

Today's instructors have to know how their students learn in order to stimulate them effectively.

The younger teachers coming out of college and doing student teaching get it, but I think about some of the 40-60 year old technophobes who are so locked out of the "more, better, faster, now' mindset that they aren't even aware that their students are wired into a different experience during a traditional class; texting, using Twitter, crackberries, kindle....it's all no further than a touch of a button.
The teacher who can teach using those methods is the one who's going to reach them.

Interesting how that can apply to Recruitment, Retention and Training in the fire service. I'd add more, but I'm leaving to run with my team in two minutes!
Thought-provoking--thanks for putting this up.