Every Fire Officer is An Instructor

Pictured here, Capt. James (J.P.) Early, JCFD.

As a Fire Officer, you are an Instructor; whether you intend to be 

or not...

Like it or not...   Believe it or Not...    

INSTRUCTOR: To be or not to be; is the question.

Pictured above is a good friend and great Fire Officer, Jimmy Early, Engine 15, Jersey City Fire Department.  Jimmy is a walking, living, breathing, human encyclopedia on Fire Service Hydraulics and Engine Company Operations.  We've known each other for more than twenty five years.  I have always been impressed with his passion, knowledge and, yes, love of Firefighting.  We both worked busy houses and the Rescue Company.  We both commanded busy Engine Companies, in the same battalion.  "I had his back and he had mine".  In other words we trained our crews together.  We studied.  We played "What if..", before we got to the fire scene.  If he got to the fire, with the first line, he knew I had his Back-up or Supply line; whichever was required. And  I knew full well, "Lining in", that I was covered by a knowledgeable officer, with a well trained, capable crew.  We both recognized the importance of training.  We both recognized that, with incidents down and the mass exodus of so many experienced fire officers, we would have to document everything; review the basics everyday; talk to our crews and cohorts. 
... and teach, and teach, and teach.

Fire Officer Trust is attained when learning has taken place and we all know what to do.  To be a good officer you must become a good instructor.

I continue to encounter Fire Officers who:   "have their time in"; have seen it all;  have done it all ; and feel that they have nothing else to do, in the Fire Service.  Yet, they command crews of younger firefighters who do not have the same "wealth" of knowledge or experience. Well, Officers, those firefighters selected that house or piece of equipment because of who you were and what that rig means in the system. But you refuse to train them or even check their progress/readiness. If you are not eager to train and/or share your knowledge...then why are you still there.  You do your firefighters and the public a disservice, by your very presence!   I even urge those younger firefighters, who feel that they are not learning and growing, to leave.  Get out!   Run!  Your life depends on it.

As a Fire Officer, you hold a critical position of authority, trust and responsibility.  You agreed to take the job.  With your accepting of the position came the duty of becoming an instructor.  Many departments already require all officers and officer candidates to be certified instructors.   Sadly though, many do not. 

Fire Officers: To everyone that you come into contact with; the public, subordinates, cohorts, colleagues, superiors and other responding agencies, you are an instructor.  You are either teaching them what to do or what not to do; intentionally or unintentionally. Your decisions, lack of decisions; your actions or  lack of actions; your attitude, voice, intonation, expression all teach others about you.  

  

...you must be prepared and knowledgeable.

Your day to day activities require you to instruct.  Instruct the public on Fire Safety and Fire Codes. Instruct new firefighters, officers and other agencies on procedures, regulations or new equipment.

You must be prepared and knowledgeable.  When you are, they will have confidence in you.  They will trust you ( #fireofficertrust ). You will be able to accomplish more when that happens.  The worst type of officer is the one that does not train, is not prepared and unsure of how to proceed; members will question or worse challenge your decisions.  At the very least, they will become hesitant or reluctant to carry out your orders. 

What Can You Do To Become Prepared and Knowledgeable???

I'm glad you asked that question.  Read, study and take courses.  There is so much information in the libraries (yes, they still exist) and on the Internet.

Take courses.  The National Fire Academy, local colleges and universities, trade shows (FDIC, Fire Expo, etc.). Many of your own departments offer great opportunities for learning and training.  Find out and pursue the necessary steps to become a Certified Fire Instructor.  Contact your State Agencies to determine the requirements and certification process. 

In the interim, Read!  Check out our book list: The Fire Officer's Book Shelf   There are so many great publications on Fire and Emergency Services.  These courses are good to expand and reinforce some concepts that you may be practicing, with your particular agency.  They are great for expanding your knowledge-base and giving you a different perspective on longtime standards in our industry.

Finally, Share!  Share what you know and even share what you don't know.  It's OK to say, "I Don't Know, but I will find the Answer". 

It's Criminal, as a Fire Officer, to say, " I Don't Know and I Don't Care!"

What do you think?