By Kevin Milan
Published Monday, January 9, 2012 on http://www.firefighternation.com/
Training is all about attitude, behavior and consistency: You need a positive attitude; you should behave as if every day were a training day; and, if you’re a training officer, your expectations must be consistent. Following these simple ABCs improves performance and increases efficiency.
The “training ABCs” apply to the individual, company officer, training officer and chief officer. There are no easy scripts to follow, and there’s no secret formula for achieving these ABCs, but like the ABCs you learned in school, with practice and endless repetition, the “training ABCs” can be imprinted and repeated with ease in any situation.
A Is for Attitude
Attitude isn’t defined in your standard operating procedures (SOPs), and it’s not issued with your PPE. Search the training manuals and you may find a reference to attitude, but there’s no formula for creating or modeling a positive attitude. However, attitude is at the core of everything we do in the fire service.
We all know that attitudes range from negative to positive. But what you have to remember is that your attitude is contagious; it not only affects you, it affects those around you. Therefore, you ultimately decide if the attitude you project enhances or detracts from training in your department. This is especially true for officers, who often complain about the lack of urgency in training. It seems that on the training ground, many crews just go through the motions. We see aggressive firefighting on the emergency scene, yet we lack action in training. But it’s easy to see where the tone is set—it typically lies in the attitude of the company officer.
If officers choose to have a positive attitude and lead by example, you’ll see their positivity spread like wildfire, because the training ground is the easiest place to influence the attitude of others. In training, the officer has the ability to script and control nearly every aspect of the environment. By setting firefighters up for success, attitudes improve with each successful training episode. And there are few things more rewarding than seeing a firefighter change their attitude for the better.
Often, a negative attitude is nothing more than a defense mechanism that’s being used by a firefighter who questions their knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). Training, of course, will improve these, which will also help the bad attitude fade. So when you witness a bad attitude in someone, look deeper. The firefighter may be less than competent, or confident, in their abilities. If they receive the right training from an officer who has the right attitude, not only will their confidence and KSAs improve, but their attitude and confidence will spread to their crew, the station and the department.
B Is for Behavior
Behaviors are the outward expressions of your attitude. You can say the words, “every day is a training day,” but do you, in fact, train every day? If you’re a volunteer, do you take the time to regularly ensure your gear is ready for the next call? As a career firefighter, does your shift begin with a thorough rig check where you actually touch the tools of our trade, especially your breathing apparatus? If you can’t remember the last time you donned your pack in one minute, it’s been too long.
Attitude and behavior are directly connected; they can’t be separated, but behaviors are often much easier to see than attitudes. It is impossible to fake your commitment to the job; you either come to work or you don’t. So if you want to keep your job, your behaviors must support actions—such as training—that promote success on the fireground. By demonstrating proactive behaviors, you indicate to yourself and your crew that you’re ready for The Big One. It’s only a matter of time before your preparation meets opportunity.
C Is for Consistency
The final element in the “training ABCs” is consistency. Only through consistency can successful outcomes be achieved repeatedly.
Consistency begins with SOPs. You must know them and know them well, because they will teach you what to expect of your peers, who will be operating on the fireground with you, and vice-versa.
Remember: Without a solid understanding of SOPs, success cannot be achieved. Deviation from a known SOP when needed is adapting and overcoming; however, acting without knowledge of SOPs is freelancing. Rogue attitudes and behaviors lead to injuries and a potential line-of-duty death.
The Importance of Expectations
If you’re a company officer, be certain your crew knows your expectations on and off the fireground. When I think of the greatest officers I’ve served, a few stand out. TOBO made it easy to succeed. Lieutenant Tobo, an officer who assisted me in the first quarter of my rookie year, stands out in my memory. Each shift began with a review of expectations broken down by call type. He created a cheat sheet that I taped to the doghouse, which I used to learn his ABCs. His expectations during training mirrored response. With crystal-clear expectations, success came easily.
ABC Mastery: Required By All
Your mastery of the ABCs of training is essential, regardless of your position in your organization. As a firefighter, demonstrating and modeling a positive attitude are without equal. As a company officer, demonstrating the behaviors you expect of your crew cannot be replaced. As a chief officer, making your expectations for response and training known through consistency is the difference between success and failure.
Just like the ABCs you learned in kindergarten, which formed the foundation for your learning, your “training ABCs” are the foundation for fireground learning, regardless of rank or position. Training is the most important element of being a firefighter. A positive attitude sets the tone for exceptional performance. Behaviors supporting this attitude demonstrate your commitment to the job. Consistent expectations for yourself, your crew and your department build proficiency. These ABCs may be tougher to master than the alphabet, but they’re no less important.
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