New Member Indoctrination

[savage7602]

Does anyone out there run a new member indoctination program? If so, what does it consist of? Is there a checklist you work off of, what format is it presented in (lecture/handouts/a mentor program?)

[shenry32]

I do run a new member orientation class, I teach it over three nights 3-4hrs each night. I try to include a department overview, defensive driving, infection control, PPE and SCBA, a SCBA fit test, a ems orientation(by a doctor) and a general don't do anything stupid lecture.
I am the volunteer coordinator a one combo department and a firefighter/company training officer at another combo department.
If you need any more info just ask.

Scott Henry
scott.henry@ketteringoh.org

[MVFD1218]

As for an orientation class we do not have one. We use the Big Brother system. We assign all new proby members to a Vetran member for one year. This system has worked the best for our department. Orientation classes may work better for some departments though. The Big Brother system works well for us because you learn more about the department from someone who has been around than you would a few hour class. Draw back to the Big Brother is that the new member is only learning from one member. His/her way may not be the best way. But overall, it has worked great for us.

Good luck and stay safe!
http://members.aol.com/monroviafd

[Engine5FF]

We don't have a formal orientation class as you have. We are small enough that in the week or two before the probie(s) go off to the State Academy the department training officer (a veteran Capt.) runs them through a number of orientation type demonstrations. Mostly just to get the probie ready for the academy and to familiarize them with our SOP's. The Capt. goes over all the basics (PPE, SCBA, safety, etc.). After the academy, training is daily for everyone and the probie's actions are the unit officer's responsibility. The probie rotate's through all the stations and units in the dept. over the first year to become familiar with every asspect of the department and to let the others on the same shift get used to the new person. I told you we were small. ;)

[Break-N-Entry]

We started a mentoring program a little more than a year ago. It appears to be working very well; much better than the old way ... giving out those group photos of the company where all the dangerous people are circled.

[BFD182]

We have had in the past a formal new members or Probie class. We are very likely going to return to this idea. Basically what was done in the past was a preparation class for the test we use to get off of probation. The material covered included, department overview, phone numbers, radio unit numbers, radio signals. Then each piece of apparatus which included a tour of the apparatus, then each probie diagraming all the cabinets and their contents. This also included mechanical specifics (pump capacity, tank size, power supply & capacity, ladder length, amount and type of hose.)There was also a brief introduction to the by-laws, sop's and other regulations. An introduction to chain of command/Incident command.

This was all done before the probie ever attended a drill with the rest of the company, which led to feelings of seperation, plus made regular drills suffer because so much manpower was stripped away. Some new ideas we are looking at are 1 drill night a month the probies will be seperated for this class, the rest they will drill with the other members. or the class will be held on 1 or 2 weekend days seperate from regular drills. Some probies were left to a self study method which never really worked out all that well.

Lt. Alan Shaw
Belltown Fire Department
Stamford, CT