(Photo by Tony Greco)
By Forest Reeder
Exercise #3 in the C.O.R.E. drill will allow the different duty areas to challenge both hands-on and knowledge based information to keep you skills response ready. Many of these drills reinforce what you already can do and know about your job–an essential part of the learning/retention parts of the learning process. Muscle memory has to be developed and exercised regularly. Each drill or topic in this series should be referenced against your local procedures and policies as well as accepted curriculums you using for certification and skill training.
Highlighting a couple of duty areas, shift commanders are going to be challenged to motivate a poorly performing company. Approach this from a questioning strategy, consider which types of questions would be right to ask. How can you define what morale and performance should look like under your command? Drivers/operators should be able to list all of the available nozzles by type, nozzle pressure, and flow rates from memory. Don’t forget about those extra/spare nozzles kept in compartments in case they are pressed into service during an operation.
Have a good training day; make a difference!
Brought to you in conjunction with Firefighter Close Calls (www.firefighterclosecalls.com
Suggested Tasks, Week 3 (PDF, 480 KB)
Forest Reeder began his fire service career in 1979. He serves as Division Chief of Training & Safety for the Des Plaines (IL) Fire Department. He is a past recipient of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI) prestigious George D. Post Instructor of the Year award and has been responsible for the design, implementation and coordination of in-service firefighter training activities as well as a full-service fire training academy program. Forest holds numerous Illinois fire service certifications and holds a Masters Degree in Public Safety Administration from Lewis University.
Drill: Developing Your C.O.R.E. Skills
Drill: C.O.R.E. Skills Training
Drills: The Role of the Safety Officer
Drills: Fire Behavior and Building Construction
Drills: The Fireground Playbook
Drills: Are You Smarter Than a Rookie?
Drills: The Survival Essentials
Drills: Aerial Operations
Drills: Engine Company Work
