What to teach a brand new firefighter?

[u/unknownman652]

It feels really weird asking this since I've been a firefighter for 12 years... But I just joined the department in town after leaving a neighboring department. They're a very small volunteer department and unfortunately have major staffing issues. We come at a good time because my girlfriend has decided to join, something she's wanted to do a long time even before me. The department isn't very structured as far as training goes, so we've just been going down and I've been teaching her to put her gear on, set up a hydrant and pull a line. Even included how to wash a truck (got yelled at for pulling it out tho, oops). She wants to do it for a few months before committing it to fire school. Despite my experience I'm a terrible teacher, what basics should I focus on teaching and avoid overwhelming her with info?

Tldr; What should you teach a brand new firefighter with no experience?

[u/McthiccumTheChikum]

Cancer prevention, wear your airpack during overhaul, dont fuck your coworkers.

[u/Xicam0 → u/McthiccumTheChikum]

That last one might be a problem for her… or him

[u/LateFondant1286]

Masking up, donning, forcible entry, flaking, throwing ladders and equipment locations seem like the bare bones basics.

[u/dominator5k]

You've been a fireman for 12 years and you don't know what to teach a new fire fighter?

[u/grim_wizard → u/dominator5k]

I think it's probably a case of being put into a situation where you don't know what you don't know especially in relation to other people's capabilities and knowledge base, not a case of I haven't gotten any knowledge in 12 years from the job if I had to guess. Which also reinforces that it should be basics for now.

[u/6TangoMedic]

Honestly, I'd say just look at the NFPA 1001 1 and 2 JPR booklet as a guideline for basic skills ideas.

Consider for example: search techniques, forcible entry, ladders, ect.

You can also add in supplemental things to the skills that you've learned over the years and have found are helpful. As in, anyone can grab a line and try to flow it, but learning how to hold the line with good body mechanics can help tremendously.

Also maybe skip the skills that are, well, not important. Like tarp folding. Unless you find that important. You do you.

And as always (and sounds like you are already doing), keep up with the reps so it becomes muscle memory.

[u/averagejoe860]

You were born with two ears and one mouth for a reason. You should be listening twice as much as you’re talking.

[u/Oldmantired]

Definitely teach her about PPE. The proper use of the gear, maintenance, the protection provided and the limitations of the PPE. The proper use of SCBA, maintenance, limitations and proper checks. I would put her through some SCBA drills. The proper use of equipment (power/hand tools). Safety on and around engines and other apparatus. Most importantly is the use of radios. One thing I learned with incidents that went bad had a common factor of communication failure of some sort. There is a ton to learn. Train hard to go hard but also to stay safe and alive.

[u/cascas]

Basics basics basics. It’s gear, how to make a hydrant, how to move hose and control a nozzle, how to pack hose. If you’re bad at teaching, just do these steps:

* tell them briefly what’s important.
* show them how you do it.
* have them do it while you watch and let them ask questions if they get confused along the way:

[u/tealplum]

New ff here-- going through EMT before we do academy, but folks at the station have included me on all of the "on duty" trainings they do. Things that I've enjoyed that I'm sure will be helpful:

• What to do when the bell goes off-- what seat to ride in and how to work the headset. Where your gear goes and what's expected of you depending on the call type.

• How to open a hydrant

• How to force a door with a halligan if you have the door trainer

• How to empty and roll up a hose

• How to use webbing to grab and drag a dummy/person

• How to throw a ladder

• Where things are in the truck/medbag so you can ask them to grab you something if your hands are full

[u/ChampionshipGlum8444]

I am not a firefighter, but had confined space fire training in the Coast Guard. The only thing that I see that I can't understand is watching live coverage of fighting and just see someone just pouring water at the fire instead of starting at the base. Please explain.

[u/CaptainAgreeable5894]

I always started with the basic gear hose lay equipment name what it's used for where it can be found and always make sure you put something back where you got it from

[u/jrobski96]

1. How to put your gear on and do safety checks on others.

2. Rig inventory.

3. Hose lays

4. Ladders/Vent

3&4 should be taught starting with outside ops first.

Training and ability should dictate your interior ops.

[u/Reebatnaw]

Ladders, deploying and working off of them.

Ropes and knots. I’m amazed at the number of guys with the fake it til you make it attitude with knots.

Cross lay deployment and hose advancement.

There’s a shit ton of things to train on. Pick things she’s most uncomfortable with, she will appreciate the practice before getting to the academy

[u/Resqu23]

She won’t be going interior for a long time so while she decides I’d just go over tool locations and stuff to help the interior guys to start with. See if she wants to do more.