East Fork Fire Protection District captains and battalion chiefs recently attended a two-day, in-house training program.
The first day of training centered around administrative functions, such fire prevention matters, finance and budget, probationary firefighter training expectations, operational updates, and disciplinary and injury documentation procedures. District Chief Tod Carlini provided additional insight into their roles as leaders and the future need to prepare themselves as leaders. Deputy Chief Scott Gorgon encouraged all to accept the opportunity to not only be mentors, but also to allow themselves to receive positive “mentorship” as they develop their leadership potential.
The second day was spent with regional training officers from other organizations who serve as regional training officers at the Capital City Fire Academy to allow them to understand why certain skills are taught to new firefighters and to reinforce the current entry level curriculum. All of East Fork’s new personnel must attend the 16-week academy. Once completed and they are assigned to their stations, it is these same fire officers who are ultimately responsible for continuing the process of learning, but now under real world conditions. The captains spent the day performing hose evolutions and forcible entry drills as if they themselves were recruits again. The importance of this session was to bridge the gap between instruction in the academy and those real-world expectations. With retirements and additional position being added, 62 percent of East Fork’s line staff have less than 5 years of experience on average.
When an individual is ready to promote into an officer position, they seek outside courses that meet the requirements of the leadership role they are seeking as well as now completing a position task book. This recent training opportunity was developed to continue their education and encourage them as company officers and Battalion Chiefs. The District has two new Battalion Chiefs and five new Fire Captains.
Deputy Chief Larry Goss, who is responsible for the District’s Training and Safety Division, coordinated and designed this long overdue training. The district plans on offering additional training for its officers on a regular basis and expanding the skill sets of their personnel in leadership positions and those aspiring to be future leaders in the organization. This was the first time that this type of training offering was provided. The overall goal of this training was met, according to Deputy Chief Goss.
“Our personnel who attended were engaged and eager to learn. This was a very positive experience” Goss said.
