Training that is Often Overlooked

 By Larry Yoell

As we all know, our fire service is an ever-evolving career that requires continual training to remain proficient. We are responsible for the many services our organizations provide to our communities.

One area often neglected in training programs is that of public education, and establishing and maintaining quality relationships with our communities.

Public educational programs are often viewed as tedious, time consuming, and a hassle for suppression personnel. The fact is that it is a vital function for fire service agencies. Many fire agencies do not have adequate staffing to allow non-suppression personnel to handle all public education activities.

It is important that fire service organizations establish and maintain good working relationships with community groups such as homeowners associations, merchant groups, church groups, schools, and others. These relationships provide fire service organizations with important working relationships that facilitate community awareness and cooperation with the fire agency. It is also important when the time comes to ask the community for support regarding fire agency tax increases, or other funding.

Public educational programs are one of the few mechanisms organizations have that can foster and nurture positive relationships with the community on a regular basis. Most people in our community only interact with fire personnel during emergency situations or during company inspections. Public educational programs allow fire service personnel to work with the community in a positive manner and foster working relationships. It is vital that the community get to know their firefighters on a personal level. This enables both the community members, and fire personnel, in building positive relationships with each other.

Fire agencies should become pro-active to ensure it trains all personnel in regards to the agencies public educational programs. Agencies should also encourage participation of all its personnel in the support and delivery of such educational programs.

There are many different programs that fire agencies can provide to the public. These include CPR and first aid courses, Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) programs, vegetation management programs, fire safety programs with schools and the business communities, VIAL of Life programs for the elderly, and agency participation with community or city sponsored events.

All of these programs are vital in establishing cooperative and continual relationships with our communities, and will serve to better enhance the community’s positive view upon the agency.

Training our fire service personnel regarding public educational programs begins at the top of the organization. Chief officers and company officers need to recognize and support the importance of such programs, and encourage participation and support from all personnel.

Often, the toughest part of training personnel in public education is creating an awareness of the programs importance to the organization. Leadership will become a key ingredient for fire officers in regards to training personnel. These programs will become successful if the organization’s officers are in full support of the programs, and they themselves actively participate in the delivery and support of such programs.

Getting all personnel actively involved in teaching, or assisting, with the programs will build support. It will also build confidence in personnel that may be reluctant to speak in front of a group of people.

Periodic training sessions to familiarize personnel with the contents of the agency’s programs, and the proper delivery the programs, will build confidence and awareness of the programs organizational importance.

Establishing effective public educational programs is essential to an organizations health and community relationships. It will help establish and maintain awareness and cooperation between the community and the fire agency.

We must all remember that we are here to serve the public. Public education programs are a vital part of our mission, and we all must approach these programs with positive enthusiasm.

All fire agencies must include training in regards to public educational programs, and encourage participation from all personnel. This will be the key to establishing and maintaining effective working relationships within our community.

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