Ensuring safety during training activities is one of the unassailable elements in the training-preparation process. From formal introductory programs conducted at an accredited academy to company-level drills performed on the street, high-quality training provides firefighters with the critical knowledge, skills and confidence they need to perform on the incident scene. Backing up that training with a strong safety support system minimizes the inherent risk.
Although hands-on training is fraught with challenges, it has proven beneficial in elevating firefighters’ awareness and performance on the incident scene. But that realistic training can’t come with too high of a price, or the lesson is lost in an injury or fatality.
Near-Miss Report #10-851
“During the in-water training, with full swiftwater rescue PPE, the firefighter seemed to be fatigued but continued with the training as instructed after resting for a short period of time on the far shore. While proceeding down the creek/river, the firefighter experienced a few moderate rapids, causing him to swallow some water. Fatigue was evident as he floated down the river. Downstream safeties successfully deployed throw bag ropes, but the firefighter was unable to hold onto the rescue ropes due to fatigue and some disorientation. Three downstream safety swimmers entered the water from the far shore and made a successful swimmer contact rescue, bringing the firefighter to the shore.”
Many fatigued participants try to tough it out based on archaic concepts of what constitutes courage. As the firefighter in this report demonstrates, diminished learning/performance resulting from fatigue can ultimately end with the need for rescue measures. Fortunately, the team’s commitment to safety measures ensured that the fatigued firefighter was rescued quickly.
Near-Miss Report #08-647
“During a multi-company live-fire training evolution, two members (Member 1 was a rookie and Member 2 was a 20-year veteran) who were assigned to an interior attack line became separated while inside the building. Shortly after this, Member 2 came out of the building and stated that he was having problems with his SCBA (Member 2 did not mention leaving Member 1 in the building). Member 2’s officer was notified of the separation, and he in turn notified command, which took steps to locate the missing member. Member 1 was located and the training was stopped.”
This example reinforces the case for expecting the unexpected. Once the command system was informed of the crew being separated, immediate action was taken to locate the firefighter still in the building. In addition, command demonstrated good site discipline, organization and accountability skills by stopping the drill to regroup.
Preparation
You should do everything in your power to ensure that your training has the proper mix of realism and safety. An adequate safety net is a function of some very basic steps:
- Adopt an approach that any hands-on training is actually “the real thing,” just without the urgency, providing time to think through the possibilities.
- Ensure that the proper instructor-to-student ratio is enforced. The higher the risk, the more conservative the ratio should be. The span of control should not exceed between three and five participants per instructor during high-risk training.
- Command personnel should avoid dual roles (e.g., lead instructor and safety officer) during high-risk training. Remember the adage: Multi-tasking is doing many things, none of them well.
In Closing
In both Near-Miss Reports, the actions of those overseeing the training put safety in perspective. Safeguards, ranging from strong command systems to staged rescue personnel, are not overkill; they should be automatic. The bottom line: Full preparation in advance of executing high-risk training pays off when the training turns into an actual emergency.
