Anyone who has ever heard my mother talking about raising my siblings and I has undoubtedly heard her famous quote: “I did the best I could.” Though we weren’t bad kids, it could not have been easy raising us, often against incredible opposition. One of the things that made it easier for her, perhaps, was instilling “good home training” in each of us. She ensured that each of us understood integrity, respect, honor, and manners. In public, our behavior would reflect this training, such that other parents would ask how she made this possible. She always answered by saying she believed in good home training.
During my 30-plus years in the fire service, this life principle has stayed with me and informed my leadership, both personal and assigned. In the high-stakes world of firefighting, where every decision and action can determine the difference between life and death, good home training takes center stage.
At its core, good home training comprises three pivotal elements:
- Technical training
- Professional behavior
- Professional bearing
All three of these elements are integral in shaping an adept, reliable, and well-rounded firefighter, with the engine house acting as the crucible where such excellence is forged.
Technical Training
Often when we speak of fire service training, we are talking about technical training. Technical training refers to the acquisition of skills and knowledge essential for firefighters to perform their tasks efficiently. It encompasses learning about the latest equipment, understanding fire dynamics, practicing search and rescue techniques, and more. It’s the bedrock of any firefighter’s competence.
The efficiency of technical training plays a crucial role in making firefighters more effective in serving their communities. This efficiency/effectiveness balance plays out in the following ways:
1. Improved response time: Technical training equips firefighters with the necessary skills to respond swiftly to emergencies. Simple skills like the ability to quickly don the proper gear and exit the engine house directly impact how fast we get to the emergency. Understanding fire dynamics allows us to quickly assess the situation and determine the most appropriate course of action. This enables us to minimize response time, which is crucial in preventing further damage and saving lives.
2. Enhanced safety: Technical training helps firefighters understand the latest equipment and techniques. This knowledge ensures they can work safely and efficiently in high-risk environments. By staying updated on the latest advancements, firefighters can use tools and equipment more effectively, reducing the risk to themselves and others during rescue operations.
3. Effective resource management: Command staff and company officers use technical training to equip themselves with the ability to assess emergencies accurately and make informed decisions regarding resource allocation. With an understanding fire behavior and the specific needs of each incident, they can deploy the appropriate personnel, equipment, and tactics. This efficient resource management ensures that the right resources are available at the right time, maximizing firefighting operations.
Professional Behavior
Beyond technical prowess, a firefighter’s demeanor plays a critical role in the outcome of emergency situations. Professional behavior stresses ethical conduct, teamwork, respect, communication, and understanding one’s role and responsibilities in the wider emergency response hierarchy.
Professional behavior fosters strong teamwork. When firefighters consistently demonstrate ethical conduct, respect, and effective communication, it creates an environment of trust and cooperation. This allows team members to work together seamlessly, relying on each other’s skills and expertise to tackle emergency situations efficiently and effectively. When everyone understands their role and responsibilities within the team, it minimizes confusion and maximizes coordination, leading to better outcomes.
Professional behavior is also crucial in maintaining a positive image of the fire department within the community. Firefighters are not only first responders but also public servants. The community looks up to them for safety and reassurance during emergencies. When firefighters exhibit professionalism, it gives the community confidence that they are in capable hands. Professional behavior suggests that firefighters take their roles seriously, are committed to their duty, and will go above and beyond to protect and serve the community.
Professional Bearing
Professionalism also extends to how firefighters interact with the public. Respectful and empathetic communication during emergency situations can help alleviate panic and anxiety among community members. By treating individuals with dignity and understanding, firefighters can build trust and rapport with the community, fostering a positive relationship that benefits everyone. When firefighters consistently display professionalism, it becomes a defining characteristic of the department’s culture. This reputation attracts talented individuals who want to be part of a team with high values and ethical standards. It also enhances the department’s credibility and standing within the broader emergency response community. It is important to reinforce this behavior with a constant engine house culture of mutual respect, camaraderie, and communication. This behavior informs our professional bearing.
Professional bearing addresses the physical and mental disposition of a firefighter. A calm, composed, and confident presence reassures victims and colleagues alike. It ensures that even under pressure, decisions are made with clarity and precision.
When individuals are faced with a crisis or emergency, their anxiety levels are often heightened, and they may feel overwhelmed and uncertain about what to do. In such instances, the presence of someone with a professional bearing can help alleviate fears and concerns.
By remaining composed, a firefighter with good professional bearing can demonstrate that they are in control of the situation and capable of handling it effectively.
This is the unspoken expectation of the public. When citizens have their worst day, they expect firefighters to be at their best. Professional bearing helps to avoid escalating anxieties in people experiencing a crisis. When individuals are already in a state of distress, any signs of panic or uncertainty from professional firefighters can exacerbate their fears and potentially lead to panic or chaos. By contrast, a professional bearing helps to maintain a sense of order and stability, preventing the situation from spiraling out of control. By exhibiting professionalism, fire service professionals demonstrate their competence, expertise, and good home training. This affects the immediate crises as well as the residual view of the fire department going forward.
In addition to providing reassurance, professional bearing also enables effective decision-making. When individuals are composed and focused, they are better able to think critically and make sound judgments. This is essential in chaotic situations where split-second decisions can have significant consequences. This comes from training the mind and body away from the emergency scene. This constant training, at the engine house, creates a principled sense of readiness that enables firefighters to respond more effectively to the ever-changing environment of a fire scene. Training in the engine house provides foundational knowledge, but continuous training at the engine house is where firefighters truly hone their skills. The emergency scene is dynamic, unpredictable, and often hostile. In such environments, theory collides with reality, and only consistent and rigorous practice ensures optimal response.
Firefighting is not a stagnant profession. With evolving technologies and changing urban structures, firefighters must adapt and learn continuously. Regular drills, equipment tests, and simulated scenarios help in refining skills and incorporating new knowledge. There must be a balance between training on emerging technologies and circumstances and reinforcing the basics. Simply relying on the number of years you have been in the fire service is no substitute for consistent, effective training. Inadequate training is a disservice to the community and the firefighter. Poorly trained individuals risk endangering not just their own lives, but those of their teammates and the public. Some of the pitfalls of subpar training are inaccurate knowledge, slow response times, and ineffectual techniques; the community deserves better. The commitment is one that should be adopted by the individual, the company, and the department as a whole.
In part 2, which will be published in January 2025, we will examine the role of the company officer when it comes to training.
Larry Conley is a 32-year veteran of the fire service. He served for 30 years in the St. Louis (MO) Fire Department, retiring as a captain. Conley is deputy chief of training for the Collinsville (IL) Fire Department. He is a Fire Instructor II, has a bachelor’s degree in fire service administration, and was an FDIC 2021 keynote speaker.
