Firefighter training drill by Forest Reeder
Let’s take a different direction in our Survival Essentials series by attempting to “get out in front” of something before a tragedy occurs. This exercise has 10 situations that should draw the attention of everyone working on the fireground and cause some sort of action to take place to prevent near-miss or tragedy from occurring.
Imagine these as situations that are occurring around you or in front of you and act in whatever capacity you are currently serving as. Consider the actions of the following groups during these situations:
- Firefighters
- Pump operators
- Company officers
- Incident commanders
- Dispatchers (might have to provide additional information)
- Safety officers
- Rapid intervention crew members and officers
Discuss your actions using the When-Does-This-Occur/What-Would-You-Say format. Use the What-Would-You-Do critical-thinking format for your answers.
Download this training drill HERE.
- Survival Essentials Drill Part 1: The Mayday
- Survival Essentials Drill Part 2: Evacuation
- Survival Essentials Drill Part 3: Do Not Enter
- Survival Essentials Drill Part 4: PAR
- Survival Essentials Drill Part 5: PASS
- Survival Essentials Drill Part 6: Progress Reports
Forest Reeder began his fire service career in 1979. He currently serves as Division Chief of Training & Safety for the Des Plaines (IL) Fire Department. He is a past recipient of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI) prestigious George D. Post Instructor of the Year award and has been responsible for the design, implementation and coordination of in-service firefighter training activities as well as a full-service fire training academy program. Forest holds numerous Illinois fire service certifications and holds a Masters Degree in Public Safety Administration from Lewis University.
