Training Officer's Handbook

By:  W. Edward Buchanan Jr., Bobby Drake, and John M. Buckman III 

The Training Officer’s Handbook by W. Edward Buchanan Jr., Bobby Drake, and John M. Buckman III is the definitive guide for training operations in the modern fire service.

All firefighters, whether volunteer, combination, or career, need in-depth, realistic training. This book replaces the trial-and-error and “school of hard knocks” approach for training officers, deploying the authors’ many decades of combined experience to fill the gaps between instructor credentialing and managing a training system.

As a training officer, you’re tasked with leading and managing a training system that includes curriculum design, program scheduling, leading an instructor cadre, and mastering the technology required to meet your students where they are: in the classroom, on the drill ground, or remotely. This book helps you connect all the critical components of a highly efficient Fire & EMS training system in one place. It’s a book you will keep on your desk at the training academy, fire station, or even at home.

Recommendations in this book include:

• Honing your craft as a fire instructor to ensure an impactful instructional delivery
• Bringing a systemic approach to managing your training operations
• Mastering technology and instructional methodologies
• Networking and expanding your reach and impact as an instructor
• Real-world drills, props, and instructional development tools

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Table of Contents

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1. Personal Preparation for the Training Officer

• Career, Volunteer, and Combination Organizations
• Mission of the Training Division or Section
• The Decision
• The Training Organization
• Mastering Your Traditions to Promote Change
• Fire Service Training Principles 
• Summary 
• Review Questions 

2. The Instructor

• Respect 
• Developing Your Instructional Style 
• Personal Development 
• Keeping the Message Current 
• Networking and Mentoring 
• Educational Methodology 
• Instructional Environments 
• Technology 
• Instructor Etiquette 
• Summary 
• Review Questions 

3. Department Training Assessment

• Defining “Good” 
• Tactical Equality 
• Performing a Needs Assessment 
• NFPA 1000 Series 
• NFPA 1400 Series 
• Other Key NFPA Standards and Guides 
• Needs Assessment Methodology 
• Evaluating Student Learning Styles and Needs 
• Formal Learning Styles 
• Developing a Formal Training Plan 
• The Calendar of Compliance 
• Needs Assessment Summary 
• Review Questions 

4. Developing a Training System

• Part 1: Your Instructional Team 
• Part 2: The Programs 
• Summary 
• Review Questions 

5. Fundamentals of Basic Training

• Creating a Written Program 
• Administrative Guidelines 
• The Code of Conduct 
• Program Discipline 
• Student Requirements and Expectations 
• Company Assignments 
• House Duties 
• Values-Based Training Components 
• Summary 
• Review Questions 

6. Training Operations in Small Departments

• Community Needs and Department Capabilities 
• Funding Training Operations 
• Credentialing Pacing 
• Training Venues and Locations 
• Leadership and Officer Development  
• The Drill Night 
• Summary 
• Review Questions 

7. Evaluating and Assessing Skills

• Results-Based Evaluation 
• Standard Operating Procedures 
• Operational and Tactical Performance 
• Probationary Programs and Testing 
• Programs for Further Development 
• Summary 
• Review Questions 

8. Coaching and Mentoring

• An Attitude of Success 
• The Coaching Attitude 
• Instructor Intensity 
• All-Stop Protocol: Mayday 
• Setting Expectations 
• Summary 
• Review Questions 

9. Training Props

• Training Prop Considerations 
• Types of Training Props  
• Key Well-Known Training Props 
• Use of Acquired Structures 
• Fire Behavior Props 
• Summary 
• Review Questions 
• Reference 

A. Sample Critical Skills Questionnaire

B. Sample Academy Guidelines

• Training Section Contact List 
• Your Department Fire • EMS 
• Program Guidelines 
• Program Overview 
• Training Academy Chain of Command 
• General Guidelines 
• Honor Graduate and Valedictorian 
• Testing & Evaluation Policy 
• Line-of-Duty Death 
• Work Performance Evaluation  
• Hydration and Nutrition 
• The Maltese Cross 
• The Star of Life 
• Forms and Documents 
• Recruit Injury Process 
• Graduation Uniform  
• Statement of Understanding 
• Discipline Policy 
• Code of Conduct Acknowledgment 
• Recruit Acknowledgments 
• Academy Graduation Invitation List 

C. Sample Department Assessment for Firefighter Mayday

D. Sample Probationary Requirements with Day 1 Requirements

E. Sample Probationary Member Phase Check Sheets

Review Question Answers 

Index