p fckxhtmljob1After attending a conference in Clearwater Florida Chief Ball announced that the department is considering changing traditional one night a week training with a model practiced by the Fairfax Virginia fire service.pp fckxhtmljob1Instead of once a week drills the department is considering changing to monthly Saturday or Sunday drills for 8 hours.nbsp By drilling once a month on skills the members can become more engaged in training and focus on tasks better said Chief Ball.nbsp The Chief added the once a week drills are hard for members with todays busy lifestyles and noted that often times the two or three hours just isnt enough to ensure that training stays focused and on track.nbsp Often we just get things set up and its already time to pick up and head back to the station he said.nbsp Fairfax County started the new model a year ago and has seen an improvement in training and found that volunteerism increased as well.nbsp Many new members note that they didnt join the deparment before due to the time requirements of once a week drills.pp fckxhtmljob1The department officers are currently reviewing the training needs for next year and will incorporate the weekend drills starting in the spring.nbsp Weekly drills will still be held according to Ball but the drills will be more classroom and conceptual in preparation for the weekend drills.nbsp The drills will also be optional and only 45 minutes in length.pp fckxhtmljob1The officers and members are excited about giving this a try said Ball.nbsp Fire fightersnbspare great cooks and we plan to start the day saturday or sunday with a traditiional breakfast and then get together for a mid-day lunch between training evolutions.nbspp
Social