A must have for every fire department training officer!In order to be an effective educator within a modern fire department, training officers require knowledge and skills that often exceed what they have learned in their formalized training. The Training Officers Desk Reference goes beyond traditional fire instructor training standards and requirements to teach readers how to adapt by incorporating new ideas, training drills, and alternative learning methods. Authored by a team of expert fire service educators, this essential manual will assist readers in becoming dynamic, effective training officers in the classroom, on the training grounds, and beyond. Whether employed at a paid, combination, volunteer, or industrial fire department, the Training Officers Desk Reference will help training officers train for situational awareness, improve hands-on training drills, improve adaptability and recognition primed decision making skills, and find new and innovative methods to deliver training within their department.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments • About the Authors • Preface • Foreword Chapter 1: Introduction • Responsibility • Training Officer Obligations • Influence • Legal Concerns • Attributes of a Training Officer • Key Points • References Chapter 2: You as the Training Officer • Understanding and Looking the Part • Physical Appearance of the Classroom • Not an Expert at Everything • Networking • Never Stop Learning • Key Points • References Chapter 3: Creating and Evaluating Your Own Program • Creating Your Own Training Program • Benefits of Establishing a Formal Training Program • What Is a Training Program? • Components of the Training Program • The Process of Developing a Training Program • Continuous Quality Improvement • Processes • Areas to Consider During the Program Evaluation • Credibility • Total Quality Management • Key Points • References Chapter 4: Guiding Requirements • Training Mandates and Requirements • Your Department’s Standard Operating Procedures • National Fire Protection Association Standards • Occupational Safety and Health Administration • Insurance Service Organization Requirements • Federal Requirements • Grant Requirements • Local Requirements • Certification, Accreditation, and Credentialing • Crosswalk of National Fire Academy Courses and NFPA Standards • Guides and Recommendations for the EMS Training Officer • Key Points • References Chapter 5: Strategic Planning for the Training Division • Introduction and the Purpose of Strategic Planning • Establishing a Common Vision for Your Training Division • Creating SMART Goals for Your Training Division • Examining Internal and External Factors • Formulating the Strategy for the Training Division • Creating an Annual Training Plan for Your Division • Project Management for Training Officers • Key Points • References Chapter 6: The Preparation Step • Introduction • Preparation • Determining and Prioritizing Training Needs • Objectives • Learning Domains • Lesson Planning • Adult Learning Theories • Final Preparation • Key Points • References Chapter 7: The Presentation Step • Introduction • Methods of Instruction • Choosing and Using Classroom Aids • Instructor Transitions and Distractions • Key Points • References Chapter 8: The Application Step • Introduction • The Action Plan • Application Step Placement • Incorporating Realism into the Practical Application Step • Developing Expertise through Realistic Training • Exarnples of Application Step Formats • Potential Obstacles Associated with the Application Step • Training for Adaptability • Key Points • References Chapter 9: The Evaluation Step • The Evaluation Step • Evaluating the Instructor • Evaluating Students’ Learning • Key Points • References Chapter 10: Alternative Methods of Learning • Introduction • Computer-Based Training • Podcasting and Webcasting • iTunes U • Key Points • References Chapter 11: Budgeting • Budgeting • Planning the Budget for the Training Division • Expenditure Detail • Budget Preparation • Types of Budgets • Budget Justification • Formal Budget Adoption • Tracking the Budget • Modifiying the Budget • Summary • Key Points • References Chapter 12: Generations in Fire Service Training • Introduction • Generation Y • Generation X • Baby Boomers • Veterans • The Workplace Dynamic: Generations Working Together • Training the Generations • The Technology Gap • Communication • Differences in Training Styles and Learning Preferences • Research • Tying It All Together • Key Points • References Chapter 13: Special Topics in Training • Training in Combination Fire Departments • Training in Small Rural Fire Departments • Training in the Industrial and Private Sector Emergency Services • Summary. • Key Points • References Chapter 14: Investigations • Introduction • Accidents • Accident Investigation • Summary • Key Points • References Chapter 15: Physical Fitness Training for Recruit Academies • Overview • Introduction to Academy 2010-01 • Academy 2010-01: Physical Fitness Results • Post-Academy Questionnaires • Academy 2010-01: Conclusions and Recommendations • Key Points • References Chapter 16: Promotional Assessments • Introduction • Use of Internal Versus External Contractors for Assessment Development and Administration • Developing Promotional Assessments • Creating the Job Description • Assessments and Interviews • Key Points • References Chapter 17: Sample Training Drills • Introduction • Thermal Imaging Camera Familiarization • Air Consumption Drill • SCBA Familiarization Drills • Maze and Confidence Builders • Disentanglement/Memphis Drill • Tool Lab • All Inclusive (Non-Fire) Drills • Standpipe Drill • Tactical Decision Games • Multiple Training Scenarios • Bailout Drills • Various Fire Fighter Packaging and Retrieval Methods • Key Points • References Appendix A: Sample Training Schedules and Lesson Plans • Appendix B: Sample Reports and Records • Appendix C: Website Resource List • Appendix D: Excerpt from ISFSI Fire Department Required Training Self-Assessment Guide • Appendix E: Excerpt from OSHA 1910.120 Appendix E: Training Curriculum Guidelines