Features Training
Trainer’s Corner: Developing self-confidence in your firefighters

In 1889, American journalist and humourist Edgar Nye wrote that the Platte River “had a very large circulation, but very little influence. It covers a good deal of ground, but it is not deep, in some places it is a mile wide and three-quarters of an inch deep.” And so, the phrase, “A mile wide and an inch deep” was born. It is not meant to be a compliment. It is used to describe people whose knowledge is superficial. 

Superficial as in not thorough, deep, or complete. Superficial as in not having or showing any depth of understanding.

For example, most firefighters should know that a “30/30 cross” means temperatures over 30 C and humidity below 30 per cent. However, if firefighters don’t know what it means on the fire ground, it is of little value to them. They must understand that a 30/30 cross means that fires will start faster, and they should expect severe burning conditions, erratic fire behaviour and rapid rate of spread.

One of the challenges that face us as firefighters is the lack of time.  Unfortunately, my request for a few more grains of sand in the hourglass has fallen on deaf ears. Many “paid on call” fire departments are bound by time restraints to training and practice. The need to be equipped and trained beyond simply putting the wet stuff on the red stuff has jammed the training schedule.  

It can be overwhelming for firefighters to get a solid grip on all aspects of fire and rescue training. With all the additional areas of response, such as MVIs, hazmat, high angle and swift water rescue, along with first response medical, it is almost impossible to effectively cover all the necessary training aspects in a once-a-week session.  

Yes, our skills do improve with each call (our experiences hopefully do that), but we dare not use the call for on-the-job training. 

In my first department, we set aside two nights a month to focus on FRIII training. It was only two extra nights, but it seemed to bring some relief to our (self-imposed) training schedule. Looking back, I see that it cost us precious family time. Two extra nights really meant four extra nights for the TO. When I hear the phrase “a mile wide and an inch deep,” I think of being spread too thin.

Here’s a thought: Your present stress load may be the result of over-commitment and under-ability.  

To be honest, I did not shine in every area of instruction. Oh, I got them done, but it wasn’t always pretty. In some areas I was instructing way beyond my means. It drained me and it certainly wasn’t my happy place, nor was it for my students. 

In truth, it became a burden, a chore. There is a big difference, between my “good enough” and my “best”. I encourage you to focus on what you do best, and delegate to others those areas you do “just because” they need to be done.

Our training programs usually focus on three things: skill development, skill maintenance, and skill improvement. However, developing a person’s ability to perform the “core” skills is only half of the formula for effective training.  

The critical factor is developing the self-confidence of the individual to perform those skills under extreme pressures and stress in hazardous environments, at any time of day or night.  If you can focus on that, the rest will fall into place. 

One way to achieve this is to actually use fire fighting equipment in your practice scenarios. 

Realtors shout out “location, location, location.” Training officers should shout out “hands on, hands on, hands on.” 

To successfully train FRIII, get hands on. Feel what it is like to set up a Headbed II with gloves on. Tape dressings in place. 

I don’t buy into just laying a V Vac beside the patient and saying that you are suctioning. Do it! Use it! Get a cup of water or, better yet, some chunky soup, and suction away! How much will it hold? How do you clean it out?  How did you get so much on you?

Don’t just say that you’d use this or that dressing, and this or that bandage. Use it! Actually check the vitals, don’t just ask what they are in your scenarios.  

Take a few minutes at a practice and check someone’s pulse, respirations, and skin. Depending on your practice night, you may need to check LOC. In all seriousness, it pays to practice.  

I have always tried to make practice scenarios as real as possible. Dry erasers work well.Ketchup stinks, but it’s okay. Transmission fluid in a zip lock bag works. Bone fragments from the butcher work well. And for a few bucks, you can buy medical alert chains. Get some old clothes so that the firefighter can actually cut the material. You’ll be surprised what a confidence builder the “actually doing it” can be.

I’ll never forget the fearful look on one of my student’s faces when I asked them to actually administer the Glucogel, rather than tell me about it. This simple request became a big issue, because this student had never done any more than lay the package beside the patient. You cannot gain confidence in FR skills without being hands on. As trainers, we must renew our zeal to train to develop self-confidence. It is of paramount importance that firefighters know why they are doing something, as well as understanding the consequences of not doing something.  

I remember approaching a firefighter spraying water on the outside of a burning structure. I asked him, “What are you doing?” He looked at me all nervous and replied, “Am I doing something wrong?” I shook my head. “No, I just want to know what you are doing.” He replied, “I can do something different.” Again, I said, “No buddy, I just want to know what you are doing.”

“I’m spraying water on the fire?” he said, but since his statement was more in the form of a question, I pushed a bit more. “Why are you spraying water on the fire?” Now he got flustered and said, “You told me to! Should I stop?”   

I looked at him and tried rephrasing the original question in textbook terminology: “What effect are your present actions having upon the fire compartment?” He took a breath and said, “I don’t know.” I asked, “What would change if you stopped doing what you are doing?” Again, he responded with, “I don’t know.”  

I wasn’t trying to mess with him. I was hoping to give him a better understanding of fire behaviour.  So, as he continued applying water, we spoke about the Fire Triangle. I asked him what part of the triangle he was operating in. Then, I asked if he knew how effective he was being. He didn’t, so I instructed him to radio the pump operator informing them he was shutting down his line.  Then we just stood and watched what the fire was doing.  We looked at the smoke and discussed the basic smoke indicators: location, colour, density and volume.  You cannot observe smoke indicators if you are just “drowning” the fire.  You need to take a break – let the fire breathe.  

It was a wonderful teaching moment.  Looking him straight in the eyes I said, “I am sharing this with you for one reason.”  He gave a knowing smile saying, “I know, you want me to be a good firefighter.”  I looked at him and said, “Yes, that is true, but more than that, I want you to go home after each and every call.”

It seems we have lots of “book smart” individuals, but fewer and fewer of those “Jack of all trades, master of none” types. That term was a compliment for a person who is good at fixing things and has a good level of broad knowledge. You have a wonderful and yet challenging opportunity to change that. Just don’t spread yourself too thin.

Thank you for your dedication to excellence in the Canadian fire service. Until next time, please stay safe and remember to, “Train like lives depend on it, because they do.”  4-9-4 – Ed.

Ed Brouwer is the chief instructor for Canwest Fire in Osoyoos, B.C., retired deputy chief training officer for Greenwood Fire and Rescue, a fire warden, wildland urban interface fire-suppression instructor and ordained disaster-response chaplain. Contact Ed at aka-opa@hotmail.com.