What should we do for drill?

The goal of this program is to provide the attendee with a ready-to-use training program which
can be implemented almost immediately, requires little in the way of capital resources, and
requires less than thirty minutes preparation time for each session.

To achieve our goal this program sets forth the following objectives:

Upon completion of this program the attendee will be able to:

1) describe the intended application of this training system;

2) describe the three parts of each Skill Session description;

3) perform the necessary planning to deliver a Skill Session;

4) identify the needed resources to deliver a Skill Session;

and

5) adapt the Skill Session program to various audiences or methods of delivery.

























Introduction

The Skill Sessions program was developed from an earlier concept promoted by Ron Mattes,
Training Director of the Elk Grove Village (IL) Fire Department.  Ron developed a simple
system of "mini-drills" which were conducted on basically a one-per-shift-day schedule.  The
drills were standardized for the twelve months of the year so all companies received similar
training.  On his schedule Ron gave a simple statement of the drill such as "Practice setting up
aerial ladder."  Within his department members then developed a basic lesson plan for each
session.

Skill Sessions takes the mini-drill concept one step further by providing an objective along with
a basic set of instructions/suggestions and a reference for each Skill Session.

First, the objective of each lesson is written in the A-B-C-D format: Audience who will receive
the lesson, Behavior expected to have been learned upon completion of the lesson,  Conditions
under which the behavior will be performed by the audience, and Degree to which the behavior
must be performed. ie: Mastery of the skill, simply know 70% or more of the information, or
follow manufacturer's instructions.  For many Skill Sessions the degree is not listed but should
be determined locally.

Next the instructor is provided with suggestions as to who should do the skill and how many
times.  The who and how many times a skill should be performed is designed to aid in skill
retention and mastery.  Also included are props that may be needed, location suggestions, and
approaches that have proven successful.  Remember that Skill Sessions are mostly practical and
therefore should be conducted outside the classroom.   Skill Sessions are also not intended to
be used to introduce new material to an audience; they are a review for trained members.

Lastly each lesson contains a reference source.  These references allow the person preparing the
drill to go right to a source and find the needed information.  The reference need not be used
if the instructor in confident in his or her skill.  A list is provided as to where each referenced
publication can be obtained.

Skill Sessions are not meant to be a replacement for a complete training program.  Rather, Skill
Sessions are designed to be a supplement to a full training program.  Time for training is not
unlimited.  Regardless of whether a department consists of full-time members or volunteers time
for training is limited.  In addition quality training requires preparation time.  Each department
must decide how much training it can deliver to its members is a reasonable period of time.  

Skill Sessions promotes quality training by focussing on only one objective at a time.  With this
concept company officers can better prepare in shorter periods of time and fire fighters can focus
on skill mastery.


                       SUGGESTED SCHEDULING FORMATS


There are over 250 Skill Sessions contained in this program.  This is probably more drills than
any department can conduct in a year.  In any case, a wide variety of subjects are available to
choose from.

Whether you are paid or volunteer you may want to try and combine several Skill Sessions into
one formal drill.  When doing this you are the one who decides how many sessions to use and
how to conduct each.

                            Career Departments

One of the easiest, but least preferred, is to give each company officer a copy of the Skill
Session list and tell him or her to pick which ones they want, specifying so many Skill Sessions
per shift/week/month/etc.  While this will work it does not necessarily provide for uniformity
amongst all shifts during the short haul.

The scheduling of one session per shift day, except on days exempt from training, is a good
approach.  For those working the 24 on/48 off, three platoon system this will average
approximately 10 sessions per month.  This system seem to work well.  With over 250 sessions
to choose from the department using the three platoon system, conducting one session per day,
will have enough drill for at least two years.  Insure that there is a variety of subjects eahc
month; don't have all ladder drills for one month.

You may choose to dictate which session is performed which day each month or you may decide
to leave it up to each company officer to decide.  Attention should be made to not wind up with
a marathon training session to accomplish all the sessions on the last day of each month.

It is a good idea to keep track of what sessions are performed each month so that they are not
repeated prematurely.  Also, you may want to develop the schedule for each month in the month
immediately preceding.  Creating the schedule too far in advance may not allow for current need
(deficiencies) to be addressed.










                    Volunteer/Paid-On-Call Departments

You may choose to conduct one or more session on each day of scheduled training.  Some
options which may work for these type departments include:

1    Conduct between two and four sessions in one evening.  Two possible formats exists:  1)
run one session after the other allotting so much time per session or 2) run    simultaneous
sessions with groups switching every 30 to 60 minutes.  Here are some      examples:

     Example #1: With this format an unlimited number of participants can be used as
     long as there will be enough equipment for each to practice.

     7:00 PM - 7:45 PM        1st Session
     7:45 PM - 8:00 PM        Break (Instructor uses this time to set-up for next session)
     8:00 PM - 8:45 PM        2nd Session
     8:45 PM - 9:00 PM        Break (Instructor uses this time to set-up for next session)
     9:00 PM - 9:45 PM        3rd Session
     9:45 PM -10:00 PM        Wrap-up 

     Example #2: Here participants are divided in to four groups of equal numbers.   An
instructor, perhaps one of the officers, is assigned to each session.  Every 45      minutes the
groups rotate to a new session; the instructor stays with the session.     Specifically which
sessions are used is decided locally.  You may choose to use only     two or three session,
each lasting 60-90 minutes, and rotate.  Try to keep group sizes      between 6-8.  If you
have a large number of participant then increase the number of   groups and sessions or run the
same session twice (if you have enough equipment.)

     Session A #01.02 Load and advance of 1&3/4" line using flat load
     Session B #02.09 Simulated confined space entry wearing SCBA
     Session C #10.04 Advance roof ladder up extension ladder
     Session D #17.01 Demonstrate how K-tool is used

     Time Frames    Session A      Session B      Session C      Session D
     7:00 - 7:45         Group 1   Group 2   Group 3   Group 4
     7:45 - 8:30         Group 4   Group 1   Group 2   Group 3
     8:30 - 9:15         Group 3   Group 4   Group 1   Group 2
     9:15 -10:00         Group 2   Group 3   Group 4   Group 1

2    Create a list of, say, two to six sessions each member must complete in a month.  The
     company officer may be responsible for gathering his or her members and completing
     the drills together.  Or another method may be for members to get together in teams  of
three to six and complete them themselves.


                             ABOUT SAFETY....

Any time a Skill Session is being conducted fire fighter safety MUST be the primary concern. 
In order to achieve the highest level of safety possible instructors should consult NFPA 1500,
Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program.  While the entire document does not
pertain to training it does address most issues of safety and health.  In addition a department's
own safety policies and procedures, whether written or tradition, must also be adhered to.

In any Skill Session which depicts or simulate a condition or situation which, at the scene of an
actual emergency, would require the wearing of full protective gear and/or SCBA during its
performance will be performed in the drill wearing the same.

Always wear gloves when handling hoses or ladders, even if full protective gear is not required.

Always wear eye protection when using striking or cutting tools, even if full protective gear is
not required.

In the few Skill Session which involve live fire training NFPA 1403, Live Fire Training
Evolutions in Structures, and Proposed NFPA 1406 Outside Live Fire Training Evolutions should
be followed.  Again fire fighter safety is the number one priority and MUST NOT be sacrifice
for any reason during training.

Wind direction and speed, The use of flammable liquids, protective gear, primary and back-up
hose lines or extinguishers all must be considered and used appropriately. 


                           ABOUT SITE VISITS....

From department to department policy may vary.  But as a general rule visits to sites and
structures for familiarization or a tour, as a company or several companies, are not inspections. 
Violations noted should be referred to the Fire Prevention Bureau or Local Government's Code
Enforcement Agency.  

When a swarm of fire fighters descends on a businessman who voluntarily takes time to show
you his place and in turn fire fighters offer a wealth of criticism, coming from several mouths,
the word spreads rapidly and the invitations and good nature of these people disappears.

While life safety violations must be corrected.  One officer, acting diplomatically, should attempt
to correct any problems noted.