Chapter 1 Fire Science Education and the Firefighter Selection Process

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Chapter 1Fire Science Education and the
Firefighter Selection Process
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Introduction

• FIRE SCIENCE CURRICULUM
• Designed to produce comprehensive background
• Technical training
• Fire suppression and prevention
• Hands-on training may or may not be included

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Learning Objective 1 Differences in Fire Science
Programs

• FIRE SCIENCERELATED COURSES
• FEMA has a list of higher education programs
• Range from associate to doctoral level
• CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
• Set number of accredited core courses
• Attests to a body of knowledge in the fire
  science area

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Learning Objective 1 Differences in Fire Science
Programs

• ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN FIRE SCIENCE
• Requires more general education units
• Some courses transferable to a four-year college
• FESHE Model core six-course curriculum
• FESHE Model curriculum noncore courses

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Learning Objective 1 Differences in Fire Science
Programs

• BACHELOR DEGREE PROGRAM
• FESHE Model Curriculum at a Distance Program
• Four-year college degree programs
• NFSPC Bachelors Group

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Learning Objective 2 Advantages of Regionally
Accredited Institutions

• PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION IN FIRE SERVICE
• More effective member of the fire service
  community
• May help achieve promotions after employment
• Direct dollar value in the workplace
• Retirement value
• May be a condition of probationary period

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Learning Objective 2 Advantages of Regionally
Accredited Institutions

• OTHER COLLEGE PROGRAMS
• Public administration
• Specialized study (emergency management, law,
  etc.)
• Firefighter certification
• NFPA 1001 Firefighter Professional Qualification
• Primarily manipulative with some technical
  instruction

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Learning Objective 3 Availability of On-Line
Science Programs

• ON-LINE PROGRAMS
• Available from numerous schools of higher
  learning
• Associate through masters degrees may be earned
• ADVANTAGES
• Student does not need to live in close proximity
• Duty schedule may not allow for traditional
  classroom

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Learning Objective 3 Availability of On-Line
Science Programs

• EXAMPLES
• NIMS courses offered by FEMA in an on-line format
• Emergency Management Institute
• International Association of Fire Fighters
  Virtual Academy
• Distance learning or extended university programs

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Learning Objective 4 Assess Your Career Potential
in the Fire Service

• BECOMING A FIREFIGHTER
• Person of highest moral and ethical character
• Represent one of the proudest professions there
  is
• Expected to act at great personal risk to save
  lives and property of others

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Learning Objective 4 Assess Your Career Potential
in the Fire Service

• EXPECTATIONS OF FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL
• No matter the disaster the fire department is
  there
• Public expects high level of professionalism
• Entails a certain amount of danger and excitement
• Suffer the same ills and problems as the rest of
  society
• Must show compassion
• Must be skilled in dealing with people

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Learning Objective 4 Assess Your Career Potential
in the Fire Service

• EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
• Allowed to talk confidentially with a counselor
• Available for alcohol and drug abuse treatment
• Critical incident stress debriefings
• FIREFIGHTERS AS TEAM MEMBERS
• Willing to give up personal desires to benefit
  the team
• No one can perform the job alone

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Learning Objective 4 Assess Your Career Potential
in the Fire Service

• CAREER-LONG COMMITMENT TO PHYSICAL FITNESS
• Being unfit endangers you, co-workers,
• and the public
• Physically demanding profession
• CHANGING ROLE OF THE FIRE SERVICE
• Firefighter is expected to be an educator and
  technician
• Firefighters participate in community programs

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Learning Objectives 5 and 6 Work Ethics and
Sensitivity to Diversity

• HUMAN RELATIONS AND WORK ETHICS
• Must be prepared to deal with diversity in
  workplace
• Women and minorities are a large part of the
  force
• Affirmative action and equal opportunity
• Prohibit discrimination
• No tolerance for harassment
• Sensitivity must be shown to all groups
• All customers treated with dignity and respect

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Learning Objectives 5 and 6 Work Ethics and
Sensitivity to Diversity

• FIREFIGHTER ATTRIBUTES
• Loyalty
• Dedication
• Accepting hardship without complaint
• Being able to follow orders
• Ability and willingness to follow orders
• Willing to accept personal responsibility
• Having a positive safety attitude

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Learning Objective 7 Availability and Levels of
Training Programs

• PRE-SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAMS
• Available through the following
• Explorers
• Volunteer firefighting
• Reserve/cadet program
• National Junior Firefighter Program
• Colleges and training associations
• Cont.

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Learning Objective 7 Availability and Levels of
Training Programs

• PRE-SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAMS
• Goal is to teach actual skills necessary
• Ladders, extinguishers, salvage, SCBA, and hose
  lays
• Medical training
• EMT or paramedic training is beneficial for
  gaining employment
• Programs sponsored by fire departments,
  associations, or professional groups

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Learning Objective 7 Availability and Levels of
Training Programs

• IN-SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAMS
• Developed to train active firefighters
• Start with academy, move on to station,
  battalion, department, area, state, and national
  level
• Often require department-sponsored
• attendance due to workers
• compensation coverage

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Learning Objective 7 Availability and Levels of
Training Programs

• ACADEMY TRAINING PROGRAM
• First level of training for new firefighters
• Provides courses required by law
• Observation of physical and mental performance
• Evaluated on performance of written tests and
  drills
• Dismissed if department standards are not met
• Homework and studying required to perform well

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Learning Objective 7 Availability and Levels of
Training Programs

• TECHNICAL TRAINING PROGRAMS
• Numerous schools offer technical training
  programs
• National Fire Academy and Emergency Management
  Institute
• Year-round courses in Emmitsburg, MD
• Expert instructors from all over the country
• No tuition must be sponsored by their department

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Learning Objective 8 Types of Personnel
Development Programs

• PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
• Develop an understanding of how department works
• Trained one to two ranks above current position
• May be assigned a mentor
• GENERALISTS TO SPECIALISTS
• Modern firefighter must be a generalist
• May have extensive training in one area of
  operations

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Learning Objectives 9 and 10 Steps in the
Selection Process

• SELECTION PROCESS STEPS
• Recruitment/application
• Written examination
• Skills test
• Oral examination/interview
• Physical agility/ability
• Cont.

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Learning Objectives 9 and 10 Steps in the
Selection Process

• SELECTION PROCESS STEPS
• Background check
• Final oral exam
• Medical examination
• Probationary period
• Last step in the selection process

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Learning Objective 11 Purpose and Importance of
Probationary Period

• PROBATIONARY PERIOD
• Academy program can be part of probationary
  period
• After academy, firefighter goes to assignment at
  station
• May last up to 12 months

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Learning Objective 11 Purpose and Importance of
Probationary Period

• PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTERS
• Expected to perform independent study
• May not have full civil service protection
• May be removed if unable to perform duties
• May be a comprehensive combination
  written/manipulative test at end of probation

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Learning Objective 12 Steps in Setting SMART Goals

• SETTING GOALS
• Clearly define the goals
• Create a road map to success
• GOAL SETTING WITH SMART
• Simple
• Measurable
• Accountable
• Realistic
• Timely

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Summary

• Process of becoming a firefighter starts by
  seeking an education in the fire science field
• Prospective firefighter must prepare for all
  areas of the selection process
• Be properly prepared for all phases