[Solved] FIR DB II

Assignment Prompt & Instructions

See attached

**files (2)**

– ## DBII.docx

– ## UnitII.pdf

**## DBII.docx**

FIR Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival

Unit II Discussion Board

• Your initial post should be at least 200 words in length.

There are many professional qualification standards that govern the fire and emergency services. Depending on your position and where you serve, your initial certification training will look differently than others.

What initial certification training, if any, did you complete? ( Army HAZMAT Certification Completed) How many hours comprised your initial certification training? Do you believe that this initial certification training prepared you to deal with the hazards and complexities of the modern fire environment and today’s fire service? Why, or why not? What additional/advanced training would you recommend that will prepare firefighters for today’s fire service from the perspective of health and safety?

Reply 1:
**Yvette Fernandez**

For my profession as a Fire inspector there are some initial certifications that I had to obtain before moving forward into the career or even further into my education and certifications. The first initial certification that I had to receive was a Fire Technology certification and what the certification entails is that I complete the core classes for Fire Prevention. Once I completed those then the next step was to enroll in the Fire Inspector courses from State which for me is California. I would have not been able to start those courses which completion the core classes first.

After the first series of the Fire Inspector I training courses (1A-1D) then I was able to start applying for full-time Fire Inspector or Fire Prevention positions. Since I wanted to be eligible for future promotions in the future with any department, at least in the state, I went ahead and completed the Fire Inspector II series (2A-2D).

I truly did not feel that my initial certification training prepared me to deal with the hazards and complexities of todays environment in the fire service. I think it gave me a great opportunity to learn what I was going to see in the field but what I know now of the responsibilities of an Inspector, the initial training was insufficient.

I believe that the continuous training that is offered or all fire personnel is definitely recommended to move up in the fire service.

Reply 2: Katie Williams

I have not completed any certification training for fire or emergency services. From being in accidents, sometimes it is hard to think clearly under pressure or remember what you are supposed to do. For example, if you find yourself caught on fire, you might forget that you are supposed to stop, drop and roll. Proper training that is easy to retain and recall in time of a crisis is necessary to properly react an emergency. I believe that complex situations may require longer, more in depth trainings to train for the nuances of the job or emergencies. I believe the length and concertation of courses are dependent on the individual. I work at a local junior college that offers five- and eight-week long courses during summer or winter interim. Especially the five-week class, is condensed and would be rather tough for math or sciences for me personally. Others might prefer these classes rather than the full semesters. Learning how one prefers to learn is needed if you are trying to teach policies to a specific demography like individuals that English is their second language. Using visual aids or diagrams may be more effective. After receiving training, having experience and actually doing the job will teach an individual what a textbook or lecture cannot. It is easy to prepare for things in the safety of a classroom but another when something unexpected occurs.

**## UnitII.pdf**

FIR 2302, Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival 1

Course Learning Outcomes for Unit II

Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

3. Recognize the importance of standards as they apply to health and safety.
3.1 Identify safety and health concerns within a fire and emergency services department or agency.
3.2 Discuss methods of improving safety and health within a fire and emergency services

department or agency.

4. Recognize the need for accountability related to health and safety.
4.1 Identify professional development opportunities that focus on improving safety and health within

a fire and emergency services department or agency.

Required Unit Resources

Chapter 4: Eliminating Unsafe Acts

Chapter 5: Implementing Training and Certification Standards

Unit Lesson

Introduction

Please view the Unit II Video. Closed captioning will be available once you access the video.

Being a member of the fire and emergency service is a dangerous business. The job of a firefighter is
frequently listed as one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States. Like other industries, the fire
service has developed standards to improve the safety and health of firefighters. In Unit II, we will discuss the
importance of standards as it pertains to the safety and health of firefighters.

Training and Certification Standards

In the age of all-hazard emergency response, many fire and rescue agencies provide a myriad of services
including fire suppression, emergency medical services, fire prevention, hazardous materials intervention, and
technical rescue to name a few. There are various laws, regulations, and codes that govern the training
requirements and provision of services. Many of these exist to increase the health and safety of the providers
and recipients of the services.

For a person starting out in the industry, the training requirements are varied and dependent on the state,
region, or other governing organization. Although there is a lack of standardization across the country, the
industry has improved in developing standards by which different agencies and governing bodies can tailor
their training to meet or exceed.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) develops consensus standards for the fire service. Although
the number of training hours may vary, initial training and certification programs are designed to meet the
NFPA 1001, Standard on Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications for Fire Fighter I and II. By adhering to this
minimum standard, it is the first step toward improving the health and safety of fire service personnel. Initial
training programs are developed to provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined in the job performance
requirements in the standard. New recruits must be able to demonstrate the ability to meet the standard to
become certified. This is one of many consensus standards that affects the health and safety of fire service
professionals.

UNIT II STUDY GUIDE
Professional Development

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogAlledVj8Y](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogAlledVj8Y)

FIR 2302, Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival 2

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE
Title

One issue that remains prevalent in the fire service is the difference in the initial training requirements
between career and volunteer firefighters. Some states have different requirements for initial certification,
where others make no distinction between the two. In either case, it is important to recognize that the training
provided in the initial certification process, however long, is rarely enough. Firefighters operating at
emergency incidents must be trained to recognize hazardous conditions and dangerous situations and react
accordingly. According to Zimmerman (2021), no matter what career field individuals find themselves in, they
will likely need more than just a few weeks of training to gain the ability to make good decisions about the
operations of the organization they have joined.

Although there may be mandated continuing education requirements for some of the additional certifications
that firefighters may hold, such as emergency medical technician or hazardous materials technician, it is
common for there to be few, if any, recertification requirements for firefighter certifications. Some states have
no requirements, while in other states, if you remain active within a fire department, your certification will
remain current. If we are going to improve the safety and health of firefighters, there must be a commitment to
continuous professional development on the part of the individual and the agency.

Firefighter service professionals must be aware of new and emerging hazards, threats, and technologies as it
has been acknowledged that fire and emergency services will likely experience a lot more change than it has
seen in the past (Center for Public Safety [CPSE] & International City/County Management Association
[ICMA], 2020). We cannot rely on the information that we learned in the fire academy to be relevant
throughout entire career and entire career. There must be a standardized process of continuous learning and
professional development. As greater demands are expected of fire service professionals, future leaders must
be willing and able to grow and change to meet these new challenges (Waldo, 2016).

Stopping Unsafe Acts with Professional Development

According to Zimmerman (2021), empowerment “can be described as granting permission to subordinates to
exceed their normal authority in an effort to better achieve organizational goals” (p. 75). Personnel at all levels
of an organization must be empowered to not only stop unsafe acts but must also be empowered to create an
organizational culture that promotes safety, health, and innovation. It is important that fire and emergency
services organizations start recruiting individuals that are willing and able to quickly respond to changes that
are coming in the field as we begin to look towards the future and leave the past behind (CPSE & ICMA,
2020).

Stopping unsafe acts is not limited to the fireground. There are many significant issues affecting the health
and safety of fire and emergency services personnel that are being addressed throughout the country. Issues
such as wearing seatbelts, cardiac-related health issues, occupational cancer, suicide, and other mental
health related issues demand our attention. What will be needed is for fire service leaders to empower their
employees to develop solutions and challenge the status quo. Solutions to these issues will require additional
education and training.

When looking for fire service professional development, the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy
is a great place to start. Located in Emmitsburg, Maryland, the National Fire Academy (NFA) provides
informational resources for your department and your community. The NFA also provides training and
educational resources for the fire and emergency services, including residential and online training programs.

There are many different approaches to standardizing professional development in the fire service. One
approach is the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Professional Development Model. This model incorporates
four pillars of professional development: training, education, experience, and self-development. The National
Professional Development Matrix was developed as a tool to standardize fire service professional
development by incorporating competencies from several different areas into a comprehensive model. To
learn more, visit the National Professional Development Matrix webpage located within the U.S. Fire
Administration’s website.

One other approach to standardizing professional development is professional credentialing and agency
accreditation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE). More information about credentialing
can be found by visiting the CPSE website and searching for credentialing.

[https://www.usfa.fema.gov/nfa/about/feshe/professional-development-matrix.html](https://www.usfa.fema.gov/nfa/about/feshe/professional-development-matrix.html)

[https://www.cpse.org/](https://www.cpse.org/)

FIR 2302, Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival 3

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE
Title

Conclusion

The role of the fire and emergency services will continue to evolve. Regardless of where you are in your
career, this evolution will require you to expand your existing knowledge and be open to new ideas. As the fire
environment in today’s buildings continues to change, we can no longer rely on the fireground skills we
acquired years ago to meet the needs of tomorrow. Additionally, the demands of the customer will continue to
be more complex and varied with issues such as communicable disease being at the fore. If we are to remain
relevant as a profession, we must evolve as a profession to meet the needs of the whole community (CPSE,
2020).

References

Center for Public Safety Excellence. (2020). 21st century fire and emergency services. International

City/County Management Association. https://www.cpse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/21st-
Century-Fire-and-Emergency-Services-White-Paper-Final-07.15.20.pdf

Waldo, J. (2020). Professional development and credentialing within the fire service. CPSE Corner. Center for

Public Safety Excellence. https://www.cpse.org/2020/06/16/professional-development-and-
credentialing-within-the-fire-service/

Zimmerman, D. (2021). Fire fighter safety and survival (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781284206128

– Course Learning Outcomes for Unit II
– Required Unit Resources
– Unit Lesson
– Introduction
– Training and Certification Standards
– Stopping Unsafe Acts with Professional Development
– Conclusion
– References

**## UnitII.pdf**

FIR 2302, Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival 1

Course Learning Outcomes for Unit II

Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

3. Recognize the importance of standards as they apply to health and safety.
3.1 Identify safety and health concerns within a fire and emergency services department or agency.
3.2 Discuss methods of improving safety and health within a fire and emergency services

department or agency.

4. Recognize the need for accountability related to health and safety.
4.1 Identify professional development opportunities that focus on improving safety and health within

a fire and emergency services department or agency.

Required Unit Resources

Chapter 4: Eliminating Unsafe Acts

Chapter 5: Implementing Training and Certification Standards

Unit Lesson

Introduction

Please view the Unit II Video. Closed captioning will be available once you access the video.

Being a member of the fire and emergency service is a dangerous business. The job of a firefighter is
frequently listed as one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States. Like other industries, the fire
service has developed standards to improve the safety and health of firefighters. In Unit II, we will discuss the
importance of standards as it pertains to the safety and health of firefighters.

Training and Certification Standards

In the age of all-hazard emergency response, many fire and rescue agencies provide a myriad of services
including fire suppression, emergency medical services, fire prevention, hazardous materials intervention, and
technical rescue to name a few. There are various laws, regulations, and codes that govern the training
requirements and provision of services. Many of these exist to increase the health and safety of the providers
and recipients of the services.

For a person starting out in the industry, the training requirements are varied and dependent on the state,
region, or other governing organization. Although there is a lack of standardization across the country, the
industry has improved in developing standards by which different agencies and governing bodies can tailor
their training to meet or exceed.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) develops consensus standards for the fire service. Although
the number of training hours may vary, initial training and certification programs are designed to meet the
NFPA 1001, Standard on Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications for Fire Fighter I and II. By adhering to this
minimum standard, it is the first step toward improving the health and safety of fire service personnel. Initial
training programs are developed to provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined in the job performance
requirements in the standard. New recruits must be able to demonstrate the ability to meet the standard to
become certified. This is one of many consensus standards that affects the health and safety of fire service
professionals.

UNIT II STUDY GUIDE
Professional Development

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogAlledVj8Y](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogAlledVj8Y)

FIR 2302, Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival 2

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE
Title

One issue that remains prevalent in the fire service is the difference in the initial training requirements
between career and volunteer firefighters. Some states have different requirements for initial certification,
where others make no distinction between the two. In either case, it is important to recognize that the training
provided in the initial certification process, however long, is rarely enough. Firefighters operating at
emergency incidents must be trained to recognize hazardous conditions and dangerous situations and react
accordingly. According to Zimmerman (2021), no matter what career field individuals find themselves in, they
will likely need more than just a few weeks of training to gain the ability to make good decisions about the
operations of the organization they have joined.

Although there may be mandated continuing education requirements for some of the additional certifications
that firefighters may hold, such as emergency medical technician or hazardous materials technician, it is
common for there to be few, if any, recertification requirements for firefighter certifications. Some states have
no requirements, while in other states, if you remain active within a fire department, your certification will
remain current. If we are going to improve the safety and health of firefighters, there must be a commitment to
continuous professional development on the part of the individual and the agency.

Firefighter service professionals must be aware of new and emerging hazards, threats, and technologies as it
has been acknowledged that fire and emergency services will likely experience a lot more change than it has
seen in the past (Center for Public Safety [CPSE] & International City/County Management Association
[ICMA], 2020). We cannot rely on the information that we learned in the fire academy to be relevant
throughout entire career and entire career. There must be a standardized process of continuous learning and
professional development. As greater demands are expected of fire service professionals, future leaders must
be willing and able to grow and change to meet these new challenges (Waldo, 2016).

Stopping Unsafe Acts with Professional Development

According to Zimmerman (2021), empowerment “can be described as granting permission to subordinates to
exceed their normal authority in an effort to better achieve organizational goals” (p. 75). Personnel at all levels
of an organization must be empowered to not only stop unsafe acts but must also be empowered to create an
organizational culture that promotes safety, health, and innovation. It is important that fire and emergency
services organizations start recruiting individuals that are willing and able to quickly respond to changes that
are coming in the field as we begin to look towards the future and leave the past behind (CPSE & ICMA,
2020).

Stopping unsafe acts is not limited to the fireground. There are many significant issues affecting the health
and safety of fire and emergency services personnel that are being addressed throughout the country. Issues
such as wearing seatbelts, cardiac-related health issues, occupational cancer, suicide, and other mental
health related issues demand our attention. What will be needed is for fire service leaders to empower their
employees to develop solutions and challenge the status quo. Solutions to these issues will require additional
education and training.

When looking for fire service professional development, the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy
is a great place to start. Located in Emmitsburg, Maryland, the National Fire Academy (NFA) provides
informational resources for your department and your community. The NFA also provides training and
educational resources for the fire and emergency services, including residential and online training programs.

There are many different approaches to standardizing professional development in the fire service. One
approach is the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Professional Development Model. This model incorporates
four pillars of professional development: training, education, experience, and self-development. The National
Professional Development Matrix was developed as a tool to standardize fire service professional
development by incorporating competencies from several different areas into a comprehensive model. To
learn more, visit the National Professional Development Matrix webpage located within the U.S. Fire
Administration’s website.

One other approach to standardizing professional development is professional credentialing and agency
accreditation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE). More information about credentialing
can be found by visiting the CPSE website and searching for credentialing.

[https://www.usfa.fema.gov/nfa/about/feshe/professional-development-matrix.html](https://www.usfa.fema.gov/nfa/about/feshe/professional-development-matrix.html)

[https://www.cpse.org/](https://www.cpse.org/)

FIR 2302, Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival 3

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE
Title

Conclusion

The role of the fire and emergency services will continue to evolve. Regardless of where you are in your
career, this evolution will require you to expand your existing knowledge and be open to new ideas. As the fire
environment in today’s buildings continues to change, we can no longer rely on the fireground skills we
acquired years ago to meet the needs of tomorrow. Additionally, the demands of the customer will continue to
be more complex and varied with issues such as communicable disease being at the fore. If we are to remain
relevant as a profession, we must evolve as a profession to meet the needs of the whole community (CPSE,
2020).

References

Center for Public Safety Excellence. (2020). 21st century fire and emergency services. International

City/County Management Association. https://www.cpse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/21st-
Century-Fire-and-Emergency-Services-White-Paper-Final-07.15.20.pdf

Waldo, J. (2020). Professional development and credentialing within the fire service. CPSE Corner. Center for

Public Safety Excellence. https://www.cpse.org/2020/06/16/professional-development-and-
credentialing-within-the-fire-service/

Zimmerman, D. (2021). Fire fighter safety and survival (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781284206128

– Course Learning Outcomes for Unit II
– Required Unit Resources
– Unit Lesson
– Introduction
– Training and Certification Standards
– Stopping Unsafe Acts with Professional Development
– Conclusion
– References

**## DBII.docx**

FIR Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival

Unit II Discussion Board

• Your initial post should be at least 200 words in length.

There are many professional qualification standards that govern the fire and emergency services. Depending on your position and where you serve, your initial certification training will look differently than others.

What initial certification training, if any, did you complete? ( Army HAZMAT Certification Completed) How many hours comprised your initial certification training? Do you believe that this initial certification training prepared you to deal with the hazards and complexities of the modern fire environment and today’s fire service? Why, or why not? What additional/advanced training would you recommend that will prepare firefighters for today’s fire service from the perspective of health and safety?

Reply 1:
**Yvette Fernandez**

For my profession as a Fire inspector there are some initial certifications that I had to obtain before moving forward into the career or even further into my education and certifications. The first initial certification that I had to receive was a Fire Technology certification and what the certification entails is that I complete the core classes for Fire Prevention. Once I completed those then the next step was to enroll in the Fire Inspector courses from State which for me is California. I would have not been able to start those courses which completion the core classes first.

After the first series of the Fire Inspector I training courses (1A-1D) then I was able to start applying for full-time Fire Inspector or Fire Prevention positions. Since I wanted to be eligible for future promotions in the future with any department, at least in the state, I went ahead and completed the Fire Inspector II series (2A-2D).

I truly did not feel that my initial certification training prepared me to deal with the hazards and complexities of todays environment in the fire service. I think it gave me a great opportunity to learn what I was going to see in the field but what I know now of the responsibilities of an Inspector, the initial training was insufficient.

I believe that the continuous training that is offered or all fire personnel is definitely recommended to move up in the fire service.

Reply 2: Katie Williams

I have not completed any certification training for fire or emergency services. From being in accidents, sometimes it is hard to think clearly under pressure or remember what you are supposed to do. For example, if you find yourself caught on fire, you might forget that you are supposed to stop, drop and roll. Proper training that is easy to retain and recall in time of a crisis is necessary to properly react an emergency. I believe that complex situations may require longer, more in depth trainings to train for the nuances of the job or emergencies. I believe the length and concertation of courses are dependent on the individual. I work at a local junior college that offers five- and eight-week long courses during summer or winter interim. Especially the five-week class, is condensed and would be rather tough for math or sciences for me personally. Others might prefer these classes rather than the full semesters. Learning how one prefers to learn is needed if you are trying to teach policies to a specific demography like individuals that English is their second language. Using visual aids or diagrams may be more effective. After receiving training, having experience and actually doing the job will teach an individual what a textbook or lecture cannot. It is easy to prepare for things in the safety of a classroom but another when something unexpected occurs.

**## UnitII.pdf**

FIR 2302, Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival 1

Course Learning Outcomes for Unit II

Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

3. Recognize the importance of standards as they apply to health and safety.
3.1 Identify safety and health concerns within a fire and emergency services department or agency.
3.2 Discuss methods of improving safety and health within a fire and emergency services

department or agency.

4. Recognize the need for accountability related to health and safety.
4.1 Identify professional development opportunities that focus on improving safety and health within

a fire and emergency services department or agency.

Required Unit Resources

Chapter 4: Eliminating Unsafe Acts

Chapter 5: Implementing Training and Certification Standards

Unit Lesson

Introduction

Please view the Unit II Video. Closed captioning will be available once you access the video.

Being a member of the fire and emergency service is a dangerous business. The job of a firefighter is
frequently listed as one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States. Like other industries, the fire
service has developed standards to improve the safety and health of firefighters. In Unit II, we will discuss the
importance of standards as it pertains to the safety and health of firefighters.

Training and Certification Standards

In the age of all-hazard emergency response, many fire and rescue agencies provide a myriad of services
including fire suppression, emergency medical services, fire prevention, hazardous materials intervention, and
technical rescue to name a few. There are various laws, regulations, and codes that govern the training
requirements and provision of services. Many of these exist to increase the health and safety of the providers
and recipients of the services.

For a person starting out in the industry, the training requirements are varied and dependent on the state,
region, or other governing organization. Although there is a lack of standardization across the country, the
industry has improved in developing standards by which different agencies and governing bodies can tailor
their training to meet or exceed.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) develops consensus standards for the fire service. Although
the number of training hours may vary, initial training and certification programs are designed to meet the
NFPA 1001, Standard on Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications for Fire Fighter I and II. By adhering to this
minimum standard, it is the first step toward improving the health and safety of fire service personnel. Initial
training programs are developed to provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined in the job performance
requirements in the standard. New recruits must be able to demonstrate the ability to meet the standard to
become certified. This is one of many consensus standards that affects the health and safety of fire service
professionals.

UNIT II STUDY GUIDE
Professional Development

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogAlledVj8Y](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogAlledVj8Y)

FIR 2302, Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival 2

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE
Title

One issue that remains prevalent in the fire service is the difference in the initial training requirements
between career and volunteer firefighters. Some states have different requirements for initial certification,
where others make no distinction between the two. In either case, it is important to recognize that the training
provided in the initial certification process, however long, is rarely enough. Firefighters operating at
emergency incidents must be trained to recognize hazardous conditions and dangerous situations and react
accordingly. According to Zimmerman (2021), no matter what career field individuals find themselves in, they
will likely need more than just a few weeks of training to gain the ability to make good decisions about the
operations of the organization they have joined.

Although there may be mandated continuing education requirements for some of the additional certifications
that firefighters may hold, such as emergency medical technician or hazardous materials technician, it is
common for there to be few, if any, recertification requirements for firefighter certifications. Some states have
no requirements, while in other states, if you remain active within a fire department, your certification will
remain current. If we are going to improve the safety and health of firefighters, there must be a commitment to
continuous professional development on the part of the individual and the agency.

Firefighter service professionals must be aware of new and emerging hazards, threats, and technologies as it
has been acknowledged that fire and emergency services will likely experience a lot more change than it has
seen in the past (Center for Public Safety [CPSE] & International City/County Management Association
[ICMA], 2020). We cannot rely on the information that we learned in the fire academy to be relevant
throughout entire career and entire career. There must be a standardized process of continuous learning and
professional development. As greater demands are expected of fire service professionals, future leaders must
be willing and able to grow and change to meet these new challenges (Waldo, 2016).

Stopping Unsafe Acts with Professional Development

According to Zimmerman (2021), empowerment “can be described as granting permission to subordinates to
exceed their normal authority in an effort to better achieve organizational goals” (p. 75). Personnel at all levels
of an organization must be empowered to not only stop unsafe acts but must also be empowered to create an
organizational culture that promotes safety, health, and innovation. It is important that fire and emergency
services organizations start recruiting individuals that are willing and able to quickly respond to changes that
are coming in the field as we begin to look towards the future and leave the past behind (CPSE & ICMA,
2020).

Stopping unsafe acts is not limited to the fireground. There are many significant issues affecting the health
and safety of fire and emergency services personnel that are being addressed throughout the country. Issues
such as wearing seatbelts, cardiac-related health issues, occupational cancer, suicide, and other mental
health related issues demand our attention. What will be needed is for fire service leaders to empower their
employees to develop solutions and challenge the status quo. Solutions to these issues will require additional
education and training.

When looking for fire service professional development, the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy
is a great place to start. Located in Emmitsburg, Maryland, the National Fire Academy (NFA) provides
informational resources for your department and your community. The NFA also provides training and
educational resources for the fire and emergency services, including residential and online training programs.

There are many different approaches to standardizing professional development in the fire service. One
approach is the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Professional Development Model. This model incorporates
four pillars of professional development: training, education, experience, and self-development. The National
Professional Development Matrix was developed as a tool to standardize fire service professional
development by incorporating competencies from several different areas into a comprehensive model. To
learn more, visit the National Professional Development Matrix webpage located within the U.S. Fire
Administration’s website.

One other approach to standardizing professional development is professional credentialing and agency
accreditation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE). More information about credentialing
can be found by visiting the CPSE website and searching for credentialing.

[https://www.usfa.fema.gov/nfa/about/feshe/professional-development-matrix.html](https://www.usfa.fema.gov/nfa/about/feshe/professional-development-matrix.html)

[https://www.cpse.org/](https://www.cpse.org/)

FIR 2302, Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival 3

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE
Title

Conclusion

The role of the fire and emergency services will continue to evolve. Regardless of where you are in your
career, this evolution will require you to expand your existing knowledge and be open to new ideas. As the fire
environment in today’s buildings continues to change, we can no longer rely on the fireground skills we
acquired years ago to meet the needs of tomorrow. Additionally, the demands of the customer will continue to
be more complex and varied with issues such as communicable disease being at the fore. If we are to remain
relevant as a profession, we must evolve as a profession to meet the needs of the whole community (CPSE,
2020).

References

Center for Public Safety Excellence. (2020). 21st century fire and emergency services. International

City/County Management Association. https://www.cpse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/21st-
Century-Fire-and-Emergency-Services-White-Paper-Final-07.15.20.pdf

Waldo, J. (2020). Professional development and credentialing within the fire service. CPSE Corner. Center for

Public Safety Excellence. https://www.cpse.org/2020/06/16/professional-development-and-
credentialing-within-the-fire-service/

Zimmerman, D. (2021). Fire fighter safety and survival (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781284206128

– Course Learning Outcomes for Unit II
– Required Unit Resources
– Unit Lesson
– Introduction
– Training and Certification Standards
– Stopping Unsafe Acts with Professional Development
– Conclusion
– References

**## DBII.docx**

FIR Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival

Unit II Discussion Board

• Your initial post should be at least 200 words in length.

There are many professional qualification standards that govern the fire and emergency services. Depending on your position and where you serve, your initial certification training will look differently than others.

What initial certification training, if any, did you complete? ( Army HAZMAT Certification Completed) How many hours comprised your initial certification training? Do you believe that this initial certification training prepared you to deal with the hazards and complexities of the modern fire environment and today’s fire service? Why, or why not? What additional/advanced training would you recommend that will prepare firefighters for today’s fire service from the perspective of health and safety?

Reply 1:
**Yvette Fernandez**

For my profession as a Fire inspector there are some initial certifications that I had to obtain before moving forward into the career or even further into my education and certifications. The first initial certification that I had to receive was a Fire Technology certification and what the certification entails is that I complete the core classes for Fire Prevention. Once I completed those then the next step was to enroll in the Fire Inspector courses from State which for me is California. I would have not been able to start those courses which completion the core classes first.

After the first series of the Fire Inspector I training courses (1A-1D) then I was able to start applying for full-time Fire Inspector or Fire Prevention positions. Since I wanted to be eligible for future promotions in the future with any department, at least in the state, I went ahead and completed the Fire Inspector II series (2A-2D).

I truly did not feel that my initial certification training prepared me to deal with the hazards and complexities of todays environment in the fire service. I think it gave me a great opportunity to learn what I was going to see in the field but what I know now of the responsibilities of an Inspector, the initial training was insufficient.

I believe that the continuous training that is offered or all fire personnel is definitely recommended to move up in the fire service.

Reply 2: Katie Williams

I have not completed any certification training for fire or emergency services. From being in accidents, sometimes it is hard to think clearly under pressure or remember what you are supposed to do. For example, if you find yourself caught on fire, you might forget that you are supposed to stop, drop and roll. Proper training that is easy to retain and recall in time of a crisis is necessary to properly react an emergency. I believe that complex situations may require longer, more in depth trainings to train for the nuances of the job or emergencies. I believe the length and concertation of courses are dependent on the individual. I work at a local junior college that offers five- and eight-week long courses during summer or winter interim. Especially the five-week class, is condensed and would be rather tough for math or sciences for me personally. Others might prefer these classes rather than the full semesters. Learning how one prefers to learn is needed if you are trying to teach policies to a specific demography like individuals that English is their second language. Using visual aids or diagrams may be more effective. After receiving training, having experience and actually doing the job will teach an individual what a textbook or lecture cannot. It is easy to prepare for things in the safety of a classroom but another when something unexpected occurs.

**## UnitII.pdf**

FIR 2302, Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival 1

Course Learning Outcomes for Unit II

Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

3. Recognize the importance of standards as they apply to health and safety.
3.1 Identify safety and health concerns within a fire and emergency services department or agency.
3.2 Discuss methods of improving safety and health within a fire and emergency services

department or agency.

4. Recognize the need for accountability related to health and safety.
4.1 Identify professional development opportunities that focus on improving safety and health within

a fire and emergency services department or agency.

Required Unit Resources

Chapter 4: Eliminating Unsafe Acts

Chapter 5: Implementing Training and Certification Standards

Unit Lesson

Introduction

Please view the Unit II Video. Closed captioning will be available once you access the video.

Being a member of the fire and emergency service is a dangerous business. The job of a firefighter is
frequently listed as one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States. Like other industries, the fire
service has developed standards to improve the safety and health of firefighters. In Unit II, we will discuss the
importance of standards as it pertains to the safety and health of firefighters.

Training and Certification Standards

In the age of all-hazard emergency response, many fire and rescue agencies provide a myriad of services
including fire suppression, emergency medical services, fire prevention, hazardous materials intervention, and
technical rescue to name a few. There are various laws, regulations, and codes that govern the training
requirements and provision of services. Many of these exist to increase the health and safety of the providers
and recipients of the services.

For a person starting out in the industry, the training requirements are varied and dependent on the state,
region, or other governing organization. Although there is a lack of standardization across the country, the
industry has improved in developing standards by which different agencies and governing bodies can tailor
their training to meet or exceed.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) develops consensus standards for the fire service. Although
the number of training hours may vary, initial training and certification programs are designed to meet the
NFPA 1001, Standard on Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications for Fire Fighter I and II. By adhering to this
minimum standard, it is the first step toward improving the health and safety of fire service personnel. Initial
training programs are developed to provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined in the job performance
requirements in the standard. New recruits must be able to demonstrate the ability to meet the standard to
become certified. This is one of many consensus standards that affects the health and safety of fire service
professionals.

UNIT II STUDY GUIDE
Professional Development

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogAlledVj8Y](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogAlledVj8Y)

FIR 2302, Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival 2

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE
Title

One issue that remains prevalent in the fire service is the difference in the initial training requirements
between career and volunteer firefighters. Some states have different requirements for initial certification,
where others make no distinction between the two. In either case, it is important to recognize that the training
provided in the initial certification process, however long, is rarely enough. Firefighters operating at
emergency incidents must be trained to recognize hazardous conditions and dangerous situations and react
accordingly. According to Zimmerman (2021), no matter what career field individuals find themselves in, they
will likely need more than just a few weeks of training to gain the ability to make good decisions about the
operations of the organization they have joined.

Although there may be mandated continuing education requirements for some of the additional certifications
that firefighters may hold, such as emergency medical technician or hazardous materials technician, it is
common for there to be few, if any, recertification requirements for firefighter certifications. Some states have
no requirements, while in other states, if you remain active within a fire department, your certification will
remain current. If we are going to improve the safety and health of firefighters, there must be a commitment to
continuous professional development on the part of the individual and the agency.

Firefighter service professionals must be aware of new and emerging hazards, threats, and technologies as it
has been acknowledged that fire and emergency services will likely experience a lot more change than it has
seen in the past (Center for Public Safety [CPSE] & International City/County Management Association
[ICMA], 2020). We cannot rely on the information that we learned in the fire academy to be relevant
throughout entire career and entire career. There must be a standardized process of continuous learning and
professional development. As greater demands are expected of fire service professionals, future leaders must
be willing and able to grow and change to meet these new challenges (Waldo, 2016).

Stopping Unsafe Acts with Professional Development

According to Zimmerman (2021), empowerment “can be described as granting permission to subordinates to
exceed their normal authority in an effort to better achieve organizational goals” (p. 75). Personnel at all levels
of an organization must be empowered to not only stop unsafe acts but must also be empowered to create an
organizational culture that promotes safety, health, and innovation. It is important that fire and emergency
services organizations start recruiting individuals that are willing and able to quickly respond to changes that
are coming in the field as we begin to look towards the future and leave the past behind (CPSE & ICMA,
2020).

Stopping unsafe acts is not limited to the fireground. There are many significant issues affecting the health
and safety of fire and emergency services personnel that are being addressed throughout the country. Issues
such as wearing seatbelts, cardiac-related health issues, occupational cancer, suicide, and other mental
health related issues demand our attention. What will be needed is for fire service leaders to empower their
employees to develop solutions and challenge the status quo. Solutions to these issues will require additional
education and training.

When looking for fire service professional development, the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy
is a great place to start. Located in Emmitsburg, Maryland, the National Fire Academy (NFA) provides
informational resources for your department and your community. The NFA also provides training and
educational resources for the fire and emergency services, including residential and online training programs.

There are many different approaches to standardizing professional development in the fire service. One
approach is the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Professional Development Model. This model incorporates
four pillars of professional development: training, education, experience, and self-development. The National
Professional Development Matrix was developed as a tool to standardize fire service professional
development by incorporating competencies from several different areas into a comprehensive model. To
learn more, visit the National Professional Development Matrix webpage located within the U.S. Fire
Administration’s website.

One other approach to standardizing professional development is professional credentialing and agency
accreditation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE). More information about credentialing
can be found by visiting the CPSE website and searching for credentialing.

[https://www.usfa.fema.gov/nfa/about/feshe/professional-development-matrix.html](https://www.usfa.fema.gov/nfa/about/feshe/professional-development-matrix.html)

[https://www.cpse.org/](https://www.cpse.org/)

FIR 2302, Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival 3

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE
Title

Conclusion

The role of the fire and emergency services will continue to evolve. Regardless of where you are in your
career, this evolution will require you to expand your existing knowledge and be open to new ideas. As the fire
environment in today’s buildings continues to change, we can no longer rely on the fireground skills we
acquired years ago to meet the needs of tomorrow. Additionally, the demands of the customer will continue to
be more complex and varied with issues such as communicable disease being at the fore. If we are to remain
relevant as a profession, we must evolve as a profession to meet the needs of the whole community (CPSE,
2020).

References

Center for Public Safety Excellence. (2020). 21st century fire and emergency services. International

City/County Management Association. https://www.cpse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/21st-
Century-Fire-and-Emergency-Services-White-Paper-Final-07.15.20.pdf

Waldo, J. (2020). Professional development and credentialing within the fire service. CPSE Corner. Center for

Public Safety Excellence. https://www.cpse.org/2020/06/16/professional-development-and-
credentialing-within-the-fire-service/

Zimmerman, D. (2021). Fire fighter safety and survival (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781284206128

– Course Learning Outcomes for Unit II
– Required Unit Resources
– Unit Lesson
– Introduction
– Training and Certification Standards
– Stopping Unsafe Acts with Professional Development
– Conclusion
– References