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The Training Vision
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The training vision is to make all efforts to drive the South Bay Fire Department to be recognized as a county and state-wide training leader! In order to achieve this vision we need to overcome and master five phases that include Methodology, Accountability, Consistency, Quality and Realism.
Methodology is exactly how we as a District achieve our training. Members will get the bulk of the training on shift to assure full compliance, additionally there will be District wide training opportunities that will be made available yet optional.
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Accountability is often painted in a negative light, but the fact is that accountability is really just keeping everyone on track with what is expected as part of a team. We need to achieve full accountability in our training in order to assure that no one falls behind, so everyone can trust their lives with all members of our team. We do need to account for and document required training of all firefighters for their safety, for department liability and because it’s the right thing to do.
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Consistency is an important phase that needs to be achieved. We need to be consistent enough that any member can work seamlessly with any other shift and that all shifts are training and working in a consistent enough manner to work as one department. Consistency is a crucial factor not only in how training is done from shift to shift, but also that everyone achieve at least the minimal amount of it (see accountability). The majority of the members of SBFD want to be challenged and engaged in more training opportunities. The aim is to feed more training opportunities to that majority group in the future as part of the training vision; however we still need to assure that every responder receive at least the minimal training objectives identified.
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Quality of training is not a simple topic but “quality” in training lies within providing and improving training materials and physical resources, as well as ensuring that quality instruction is delivered. In order to achieve quality training, some training facility and equipment assets need to be addressed.
Realism goes hand in hand with quality but it gets more specific and takes a bit more focus to make every training session or drill replicate what is really encountered in the “real world.” While we work towards quality, of course realism needs to be included; however, we still need to frequently reflect back to what we do in the field and what exactly it is that we have created in our training drills.
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General training is broken down into three classifications:
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Initial Training
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Recruit Fire Academy – The department will to utilize and support the Thurston County Fire Training Consortium by enrolling new recruit members into the Recruit Fire Academy.
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Probationary training probation training to be completed over the six month period after fire academy graduation.
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Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – The department will continue to utilize and support Thurston County Medic One by enrolling members to the County EMT Academy.
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Officer Development Program (ODP)Training
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Level 1 – Captain level development
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Level 2 – Battalion Chief level development
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Initial Training
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Recruit Fire Academy – The department will to utilize and support the Thurston County Fire Training Consortium by enrolling new recruit members into the Recruit Fire Academy.
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Probationary training probation training to be completed over the six month period after fire academy graduation.
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Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – The department will continue to utilize and support Thurston County Medic One by enrolling members to the County EMT Academy.
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Training Schedule
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The following are training requirements for EVERY quarter:
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CBA Donning (pack throw within 60 seconds)
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CPR/AED quarterly refresher (Medic 1 requirement for EMTs)
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Standard Evolution Drill (Drill includes hose evolution, operation/handling)
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(In addition to the above quarterly requirements each quarter will have special focus of more specific firefighter training requirements in order to adhere to quarterly, annual and bi-annual requirements – the below is a guide for the Training Officer, that may be modified quarterly for specific needs.)
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Structural Firefighting Focus (Conducted 1st quarter)
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Topics will be selected in a rotational basis. Some of these primary topics include the following:
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Extinguishers
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Fire Attack
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Fire behavior
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Firefighter survival (included RIT and Mayday)
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Forcible entry
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Ground ladders
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Ropes and knots
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Search and Rescue
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Tools and equipment
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Ventilation
Safety Focus (conducted 2nd quarter)
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Bunker Gear inspection (2nd and 4th Quarters – Semi-annual)
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Fit testing completed by all new members while in processing (SCBA and N-95 mask). Annual re-testing will be scheduled for all members. (Annual – All members have fit testing 2nd quarter even if initial fit testing was less than one year to maintain consistent department schedule
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Heat related Illness training (Annual)
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Infectious Disease Exposure Control (IDEC) training conducted by all members (Annual)
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Medical Questionnaire completed by all new members while in processing. Ongoing medical questionnaires will be scheduled for all members 2nd quarter on even numbered years (bi-annual)
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Respiratory refresher training with written test (Annual)
Traffic Emergency Focus (Conducted 3rd quarter every year)
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Vehicle extrication
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Vehicle firefighting operations
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Roadside emergency and traffic control
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Haz-Mat awareness refresher training
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Other – not required/optional
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Hybrid and electrical vehicle
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Patient care extrication
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ICS and Special Focus (Conducted 4th Quarter every year)
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Bunker Gear inspection (2nd and 4th Quarters – Semi-annual)
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Chimney firefighting (Training Officer optional)
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Incident Command System (WAC required)
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Inclement weather driving and emergency response (Training Officer optional)
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Other – as needed or make-up any annual missed training (Training Officer optional)
Ongoing EMS training (EMT certified members)
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The department will continue to reply on the Thurston County Medic 1 Ongoing Training and Education Program (OTEP). The District will continue to make every effort to work with Medic 1 to schedule OTEP as part of a Monday night drill process at station 8-1 as a convenience to the members.
While members are responsible for maintain their own re-certification, the department will make effort to provide support and guidance to help members track their status.
Ongoing Driver training
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District members are expected and encouraged to practice and maintain driver skills on shift or as part of scheduled drills. The district will continue to schedule or provide, Emergency Vehicle Incident Prevention (EVIP class room training and certification testing) as needed to ensure that all members receive training at least every 4 years
2016 Driver Task Book (v.2)
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The district will continue to provide member opportunities to partake in a drive skills course to ensure that members renew on heavy vehicle (Engine and Tender) at least every 2 years.
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Ongoing Training
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Quarterly and Annual firefighter requirements
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Operational Support Program (OSP)
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EMT – Online Training Education Program (OTEP)
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Driver/Operator View More
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Track/maintain all driver Emergency Vehicle Incident Prevention (EVIP) classroom status. Not to exceed 4 years
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Track/maintain all driver skills course status. Not to exceed 2 years
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Ensure ongoing driver competency training opportunities on shift or as part of drills
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Ongoing Officer competency training
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Identify and support Executive Officer training needs
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Developmental Training
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Officer Development Program Training (ODP)
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Level 1 – Captain level development
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Level 2 – Battalion Chief level development
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International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Certification
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Support the Fire Academy to achieve initial recruit IFSAC Firefighter and HAZMAT certifications
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Provide support and guidance to provide the option for current members to gain certification
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Provide support and opportunities for current members to gain additional certifications
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Driver/Operator
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Driver EVIP (Emergency Vehicle Incident Prevention) classroom training
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Driver skills course
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Provide Drivers Training 2016 Driver Task Book (v.2)
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Assure final/executive testing prior to licensing endorsement
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