Unapproved Training in the Fire Service

Gordon Graham here with Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Today’s Tip is for all my friends in the fire service, and it has to do with training that takes place outside the fire department.

When members attend unsanctioned classes, they may learn methods and use tools not approved by the department.

I’m not talking about when the department sends personnel to external training. I’m talking about classes personnel decide to attend on their own.

In the fire service, continuous training is critical. Training allows personnel to stay proficient in their craft. It helps develop the muscle memory that can mean the difference between life and death. Training classes also expose members to all sorts of new tools and techniques. In short, proper training allows personnel to operate at their best on the emergency scene.

But what about training that isn’t relevant to a particular fire department’s mission? Training not approved or sponsored by the department? This “rogue training” can become a problem.

When members attend unsanctioned classes, they may learn methods and use tools not approved by the department. This can lead to conflicts on the emergency scene, and even cause unnecessary danger. The last thing we want is for someone to attend a class and become a self-proclaimed “expert,” doing or advocating for some action that adds risk to an emergency operation.

Chief officers need to tread lightly when it comes to personnel attending training outside the department. You don’t want to discourage personal growth, but you also don’t want to put the member or the department in a bad situation.

So, what’s the answer? Department leadership should consider requiring all training to be pre-approved using established criteria. That way, members can still grow their skills, but do so in a way that is not detrimental to department operations.

And that’s Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Gordon Graham, signing off. 

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