With in house training I would ask the person to comment on what is being taught. Since they don’t need to pay attention then they must already know all there is to know about it and they should be able to help teach. This is used when I know they don’t know much about the topic. We have been lucky and don’t have a problem with our own people, yet.

I did a FF I/II class this year and would have problems with talking or texting while in class. The talking I would just stop teaching and look at the persons talking and wait till they realized I was not speaking and they would be embarrassed a bit and would shut up. The texting I didn’t catch them doing other than one guy and I looked at him during a video while he was doing it and he explained why he was texting. The reason he gave me was a good one at the time. I don’t know if they where and I just didn’t see it or if they would check their phones on breaks but texting was not a problem. They where to be on vibrate during class so that if they got a call they could check it and if it was family or someone that would more than likely have something important they could leave the room and talk. Otherwise they would call back during a break.

Next year I’m thinking about having them put them in a box in the front of the class and telling their family and friends if it’s important to call the station and the guys working will get them the message or if a phone rings it will be the signal to put on their PPE just as if I had told them “GEAR” (when they are told that they have to go get their PPE on).

Next year they and their Chief’s will get a copy of the rules for class and if they violate them I will be calling their Chief.

This is no time for "touchy feely" intervention. Kick their butts out of the class and have their officer deal with it.

There are many firefighters in class who want to be there and are waiting for the instructor to take care of this problem.

If the students are quietly talking or discussing I would let it go as long as it's not interrupting the class flow. Some just need to reaffirm what they thought they heard by asking others. It can help them keep up with the instructor. Cell phones, newspapers, physical disruption or computers are a no. Some do take notes on computer though. If it's a definite disruption, call them on it privately or use techniques that maintain attention. If they don't respond then further action should be taken. Just remember to take a look at their learning style. I've found after 26 years of teaching that students today have much different learning styles than those 10 years ago. Also take a good look at your own teaching style, lesson plans, content and practicals.