Introduction
Training
is paramount for today's emergency service. Not only new
training in areas you haven’t been involved in, but also
continuing education in areas where you already are functioning.
Ensuring your personnel are properly trained to the highest
possible standard provides effective valuable resources
and also will go a long way to avoid any potential litigation.
Many
of the training programs provided by the Manitoba Emergency
Services College currently have international accreditation.
This means that they are designed to the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) standards and that there is a valid and
integral testing process which measures an individual’s
knowledge in any of the given program areas. This system
although sometimes considered "too much" or "cumbersome"
is designed to ensure individuals have indeed met a recognized
standard. Not only does this allow you to have individuals
trained to the highest level possible to provide the best
service, but will also go that extra mile to protect you
and your department in the event of any litigation.
The
Manitoba Emergency Services College (MESC) is committed
to continuing to develop programs to the NFPA standards
and to receive accreditation for all programs accreditation
is available for. The MESC is also committed to continuing
to expand and build upon the "train the trainer" concept
where individuals from your departments can become instructors
in almost all the program the MESC has to offer. The MESC
offers training programs and qualified and competent instructors
to teach these programs which are made available to you.
Planning
is required to implement training programs. Training requires
resources both in equipment and finances. The following
information is designed to assist you in developing a training
program for your department. A plan for growth and success
is in your ability to deliver quality services to your customer,
the citizens of your community.
Before
a fire department training plan can be established, an assessment
needs to be addressed of a communities capability in responding
to, potential problems or incidents that may occur in your
area. The following information should be included in doing
the job analysis for the proper response to handling incidents
in your area:
a. A general description of the work to be done.
b.
The organization setting and relationship in which the work
is to be accomplished.
c.
The specific job to be carried out.
d.
The equipment, tools and materials to be used.
e.
The working conditions and special hazards.
f.
The qualifications required to learn and perform tasks in
terms of knowledge, skills, abilities, and personal characteristics.
g.
The expected manner or quality of performance.
h.
The process and expected outcomes of the performance.
Some
steps to follow in an occupational analysis are:
1.
Ask what, how, and why a worker does the job.
2.
Determine how often the job is performed, the relative importance
of the job, and the complexity of the job.
3.
The selection of jobs for training purposes, should be based
on the jobs performed by a large percentage of workers,
performed frequently, critical to occupational accomplishment,
essential to the performance of another job, or required
for occupational entry.
4.
Sequence the jobs according to some basic guidelines.
5.
Determine the related topics necessary to know in order
to perform the operations within a given job.
Answers
to the preceding steps can be found from various sources:
the NFPA standards, job descriptions, curriculum guides,
other fire departments or organizations.
When
setting up a training plan you have to consider the time
frame to achieve your goals, the equipment and other resources
necessary. Base your plan on a three to five year format.
The Plan should be developed in partnership with all members
of your fire department so that they know there is a vision,
and feel part of the direction the department is going.
Once the plan is established, it should be provided to your
council for information and possible approval. When the
council sees where you are attempting to go they will be
able to provide the resource requirements for your training
plan and understand the need to approve your budgets.
