A recent project I have been leading at our fire department is new probationary requirements. The previous requirements were simply out of context in the new way our fire department operates. Upon agreeing to this project, I sat down and listed a series of objectives I want every new probationary firefighter to learn and accomplish before being granted a position as a full member in the organization. While on probation, new firefighters respond to emergencies with other members, but are given a lot more restrictions on the tasks they are allowed to perform on scene. This is obviously for their own safety, as we don't want new firefighters trying to perform advanced tactics on scenes, though they can be useful performing menial tasks such as getting tools off the trucks and performing less advanced tasks.
While working on these new probationary procedures, I was struck with a serious challenge: How do I balance the need for a strong, thorough training regimen with the fears that too many rules will drive new members away because they simply can't measure up? The other issue at hand is that, by training them to a specific standard, I am not guaranteeing their safety nor am I guaranteeing that nothing will ever go wrong on a scene. What good is to to give them a list of "do this" and "don't do that" in life? What does that do to my credibility as their lieutenant over probation when something does go wrong? Why must they learn to drive in a controlled environment before emergencies? Why must they take a firefighter safety course? Why must they possess knowledge on all fireground equipment and apparatus? Why must they...? Why? Why? And the list goes on...
There has to be a rhyme behind the reason.
I came across a video that a friend posted on Facebook tonight. It describes the same scenario with the group many call "de-churched." This group of individuals were raised up going to church, but for one reason or another were driven away. The speaker of this video--Matt Chandler-- describes how the trap is set when we tell people that they must live by a set of rules but never give them the tools of being transformed by Christ. What good is it for us to live by a strict regimen if in the end we aren't armed to handle the struggles of real life: divorce, death, sickness, debt? What good is to "do this," or "don't do that" just because?
There has to be a rhyme behind the reason.
What are your thoughts?
1 comment:
As with any oversight plan or program, Not all parties will be happy but the issue is safety over dept. politics. For example, one structure fire scene I was working, two probationary firefighters were not aware of the importance of attacking rollovers thus did not act as they should nor were they proficient on line handling. Given the nature of Vol. fire service in the big country area, FF's need to be "brought along" before completing tasks that will place them in situations that will affect public and FF safety. Saying that, It falls on quality of training to brings these PFF's up to snuff. If scene conditions are suitable, It may be possible to allow PFF's to complete tasks other than errands under the supervision of an officer or trusted experienced FF to build on scene experience. In some cases, quanity has a quality all of it's own but in this type of public service, it is critical to have quality on scene.
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