Junior Firefighter Training

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jonah Smith on May 30, 2012 at 6:02pm

I personally think that the ISO class is an officer or officer candidate style class.  That certification would give them the power (or appearance of) being able to throw the red stop flag or serve as an incident aide.  I know none of them would have the experience or knowledge of fire behavior or building construction that I feel would be necessary for them to act as an ISO.  I realize that it is only a minimum level certification but I feel it is too much for a Junior member to grasp.  These folks need to focus on Hose handling, fire behavior, and building construction.  We have Junior Members in my volunteer department, and one of the strongest explorer posts in the state, and I have yet to see one explorer that is ready to take ISO.  

Again just my thoughts.

Permalink Reply by Ron Becknell on June 10, 2012 at 10:50pm

I called the SCFA to ask them why Junior FF's couldn't take the ISO class, after doing some checking Shane Ray advised me that it would be added the list of acceptable classes for Junior FF's.  Appearantly noone has asked the question before and it was an oversight when creating the list.  It does make sense that if you can take FF2 or NIMS that you be able to take ISO as well.

Permalink Reply by Ron Becknell on June 10, 2012 at 11:00pm

Jonah,

I agree that ALL training MUST be backed up with experience and on the job training.  I do not think that once anyone completes the ISO class regardless of age is ready to fill that role at an incident, I also think that some people that have never taken the class are ready to fill that role on an incident because they have experience which trumps certifications any day in my book (within reason of course).  I think having some fire behavior knowledge will increase the knowledge of a student taking the ISO class but like NIMS it is not that a Junior would be expected to fill that role but that it would further help to understand where they fit in the bigger picture.  Hopefully it will give them some understanding and help them to look at the big picture and not just thier small part, increase situational awareness.

Jonah Smith said:

I personally think that the ISO class is an officer or officer candidate style class.  That certification would give them the power (or appearance of) being able to throw the red stop flag or serve as an incident aide.  I know none of them would have the experience or knowledge of fire behavior or building construction that I feel would be necessary for them to act as an ISO.  I realize that it is only a minimum level certification but I feel it is too much for a Junior member to grasp.  These folks need to focus on Hose handling, fire behavior, and building construction.  We have Junior Members in my volunteer department, and one of the strongest explorer posts in the state, and I have yet to see one explorer that is ready to take ISO.  

Again just my thoughts.

Permalink Reply by Jonah Smith on June 14, 2012 at 10:33am

Absolutely Ron, just because I'm 33 doesn't mean I could be an ISO either.  Glad the SCFA got your issue straightened out.  The big picture often passes the young folks by and you definitely make a good point there.  If you ever need anything give me a holler as we say.

Jonah

Permalink Reply by Ron Becknell on June 16, 2012 at 11:12pm

Will do.  And feel free to contact me if I can help out with anything. 

Good discussion, I like hearing someone else's perspective on things.

Ron