Training Division Changes To Attract Staff Suggested

Training Division Changes To Attract Staff Suggested

Most fire service authorities agree that a quality training program does have a dramatically positive effect on the efficiency of a fire department. But what is the answer to a good training program? A major part of the answer is in attracting competent, recognized fire fighters to departmental or other types of training positions. Competent people will develop good training programs and hopefully convince both city and fire administrators of the need for progressive quality training. The question is how do we attract and retain the most respected and qualified fire officer or fire fighter in training positions.

Every instructor remembers that when he requested or was assigned to a training position his life style suddenly changed. No more 24-hour shifts or some other desirable work tour that allowed many hours or days off duty. He had to begin learning how to instruct. Then there were those other problems someone forgot to mention—scheduling, planning, budgets, maintaining training equipment, working with people, both subordinates and superiors from within and from outside the department. There were also those numerous problems sent to him because “administration” was sure the people in training could solve them. Finally, there was his surprise at the additional expense because the training job required more uniforms, and travel. I’ll bet one of his first thoughts was, “They didn’t tell me all about this organization before I signed on.”