Woodlands Fire Department Probationary Firefighter Phase Training 2019-2023 PDF

The Woodlands Fire Department Operational Guidelines A-02 – PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTER PHASE TRAINING 1.0 PURPOSE 1.1 2.0 SCOPE 2.1 2.2 3.0 To establish guidelines for use by fire department officers in evaluating the progress and performance of Probationary Firefighters. This process will standardize...

The Woodlands Fire Department Operational Guidelines A-02 – PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTER PHASE TRAINING 1.0 PURPOSE 1.1 2.0 SCOPE 2.1 2.2 3.0 To establish guidelines for use by fire department officers in evaluating the progress and performance of Probationary Firefighters. This process will standardize the training and evaluations as well as the time frame for evaluating Probationary Firefighters. This guideline is applicable to all firefighters on probation and to all officers under whom the Probationary Firefighters are assigned. As this Guideline is updated, the Probationary Firefighter will be responsible to complete the Phase Training revision in effect upon their official hire date. DEFINITIONS 3.1 Probation: The time period during which an employee is being evaluated to determine if they are capable of performing the job as a firefighter. It shall be for one (1) calendar year from the Probationary Firefighter’s official hire date. 3.2 Probationary Firefighter: Suppression employee with less than one (1) year of employment with The Woodlands Fire Department. An employee may also be considered a Probationary Firefighter if additional training or retraining is necessary outside of that first year. 3.3 Phase I: That part of the probationary period encompassing day one (1) to day ninety (90). 3.4 Phase II: That part of the probationary period encompassing day ninetyone (91) to day one hundred eighty (180). 3.5 Phase III: That part of the probationary period encompassing day one hundred eighty-one (181) to day two hundred seventy (270). 3.6 Phase IV: That part of the probationary period encompassing day two hundred seventy-one (271) to day three hundred sixty-five (365). Page 1 of 12 Created 01/22/2019 Revised 01/23/2023 Reviewed 01/23/2023 The Woodlands Fire Department Operational Guidelines A-02 – PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTER PHASE TRAINING 4.0 3.7 Passing Score: A passing score is a numerical rating of 70% or higher on a written test or Exceeds/Meets Expectations on a Performance Evaluation. 3.8 The following descriptions shall be used in assigning a grade for the Probationary Firefighter’s Performance Evaluation: A. Exceeds Expectations. The employee’s performance far exceeds the requirements of the task. B. Meets Expectations. The employee is performing at an acceptable level. The employee meets the requirements of the job. C. Does Not Meet Expectations. Regular corrections are needed. 3.9 Supervising Officer: This officer will be assigned to oversee and apply the Probationary Firefighter’s training regularly as well as evaluations. Training and testing will be standardized, approved and administered at the direction of the Training Division. 3.10 Phase Training Committee: A committee consisting of the Division Chief, the Battalion Chief – Training, the Assistant Chief – Operations, the three BC-102s, and at least three operations representatives (one from each shift) as assigned by the Assistant Chief – Operations. RESPONSIBILITIES 4.1 Training Division A. Maintain paperwork and grades for each Probationary Firefighter. B. Maintain all phase training and testing materials with the assistance of the Phase Training Committee. C. Maintain the Phase Training OG with the assistance of the Phase Training Committee. D. Provide Probationary Firefighters with their initial study materials. E. Oversee the administration of any written test and performance evaluations at the completion of each phase to ensure consistency of the testing/evaluation process. 4.2 Supervising Officer A. Outline expectations and track performance each ninety day (90) period and fill in the projected testing dates on the Probationary Firefighter Phase Training/Testing Record (completed on day 1). B. Maintain the Probationary Firefighter’s Phase Training/Testing Record. Page 2 of 12 Created 01/22/2019 Revised 01/23/2023 Reviewed 01/23/2023 The Woodlands Fire Department Operational Guidelines A-02 – PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTER PHASE TRAINING C. Ensure the Probationary Firefighter has all up-to-date study materials. D. Provide the necessary instructions and assistance to ensure, as much as possible, that the Probationary Firefighter will be able to successfully acquire the skills required within these guidelines. E. Conduct monthly evaluations regarding the Probationary Firefighter’s performance on the provided document and/or Trackstar and forward this information to both Shift Battalion Chiefs. F. Schedule and coordinate phase testing with Battalion Chief 102 and the Training Division. These Phase Tests shall be conducted as close to the particular phase anniversary date as possible. G. Assist the Training Division and Battalion Chief 102 or designee as an evaluator during Performance Evaluation testing at the completion of each phase. H. At the completion of each Phase, the Supervising Officer shall meet with both Shift Battalion Chiefs and discuss the Probationary Firefighter’s overall performance, behavior, attitude, etc. I. The Supervising Officer will conduct territory training at the station level so that the Probationary Firefighter is familiar with general territory throughout The Woodlands (i.e., major streets, secondary streets, apartments, schools, etc.). This shall be used as an evaluation tool for the Supervising Officer when completing the Probationary Firefighter's monthly evaluation. 4.3 Battalion Chief 102 A. Assist the Training Division as an evaluator during Performance Evaluation testing at the completion of each phase. B. Review Probationary Firefighter’s performance with the Supervising Officer throughout the course of the Phase Training. C. Ensure grading and other documents are forwarded to the Training Division. 4.4 Probationary Firefighter A. Take the initiative to learn and apply all information presented to them. B. Be prepared for all evaluations and the successful completion of all tests within the time frame set forth in this guideline. C. Maintain passing scores on all required tests, being able to perform in a Meets Expectations manner on Performance Evaluations and maintain a Satisfactory level on Monthly Evaluations as required by this guideline. Failure to maintain passing scores on all required test or Page 3 of 12 Created 01/22/2019 Revised 01/23/2023 Reviewed 01/23/2023 The Woodlands Fire Department Operational Guidelines A-02 – PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTER PHASE TRAINING D. E. F. G. 4.5 perform in a Meets Expectations manner on Performance Evaluations and Maintain a Satisfactory level on Monthly Evaluations will result in the Probationary Firefighter’s employment with The Woodlands Fire Department being terminated. It will be the probationary firefighter’s responsibility to study all TWFD SDOs, take and pass the TWFD EMS Skills Orientation and Proficiency Exam within thirty (30) days of his/her start date. The TWFD EMS Skills Orientation and Proficiency Exam will be conducted towards the probationary firefighter’s current TDSHS EMS Certification level. Upon successful completion of the TWFD Skills Orientation and Proficiency Exam, the probationary firefighter can function at their current EMS Certification level, under the direct supervision and direction of a TWFD Lead Paramedic. If the probationary firefighter holds an Advanced EMT or higher EMS classification, he/she will not begin the testing process nor internship(s) to be authorized as a Lead Medic of TWFD until completion of the probationary period. At the beginning of Phase IV, or sooner, the Probationary Firefighter shall provide to their supervising officer a copy of their Texas Class B Exempt Driver’s License or Permit (copies shall be forwarded to both Battalion Chief 102 and the Training Division). Failure to successfully complete the Phase Training Process during the probationary period will result in the Probationary Firefighter’s employment with The Woodlands Fire Department being terminated. Extension of the probationary period will only occur for circumstances outside of the Probationary Firefighter’s control (for example, significant injury/illness) that prevents the Probationary Firefighter from completing the Phase Training program within the probationary period and with approval of the Assistant Chief – Operations. Phase Training Committee A. The Phase Training Committee shall be managed and overseen by the Training Division. This committee is responsible to maintain this operational guideline and the phase training and testing material to provide a consistent and solid foundation of training for a Probationary Firefighter’s first year of employment. Page 4 of 12 Created 01/22/2019 Revised 01/23/2023 Reviewed 01/23/2023 The Woodlands Fire Department Operational Guidelines A-02 – PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTER PHASE TRAINING 5.0 PROCEDURE 5.1 The Supervising Officer will review the Phase Testing Guideline with each new Probationary Firefighter as they are assigned to their shift and record the projected testing dates on the Phase Training/Testing Record. 5.2 The Supervising Officer will provide the appropriate level of training to enable the Probationary Firefighter to successfully complete the probationary period. The supervising officer shall provide frequent verbal feedback to the Probationary Firefighter regarding their performance. When significant and prolonged deficiencies are noted, the Supervising Officer will notify the appropriate Battalion Chief so that time and resources can be allocated to review the specific subjects found to be deficient. 5.3 The Supervising officer will conduct monthly written or electronic evaluations of the Probationary Firefighters, review the monthly evaluations with the Probationary Firefighter, and forward the results of the evaluations to both Shift Battalion Chiefs. 5.4 Near the end of each phase, the supervising officer will schedule both written and performance evaluations with the appropriate Battalion Chief 102 and the Battalion Chief – Training. 5.5 At the completion of each Phase, the Supervising Officer shall meet with both Shift Battalion Chiefs and discuss the Probationary Firefighters overall performance, behavior, attitude, etc. 5.6 The Battalion Chief – Training will administer/oversee both the phase written test and performance evaluation as scheduled with the assistance of the Supervising Officer and the appropriate Battalion Chief. The performance evaluation will not be the individual skills that are evaluated by the Supervising Officer during each phase but rather a scenario that has been developed tying the majority skills into one event. Battalion Chief 102 will determine which crews will be utilized to assist with this testing. Resulting written and performance grades will be communicated to the appropriate Battalion Chief who in turn will communicate to the Supervising Officer and the Probationary Firefighter. The Supervising Page 5 of 12 Created 01/22/2019 Revised 01/23/2023 Reviewed 01/23/2023 The Woodlands Fire Department Operational Guidelines A-02 – PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTER PHASE TRAINING Officer will record all phase testing grades on the Probationary Firefighter’s Phase Training/Testing Record. 6.0 5.7 Any rating less than 70% on a written phase test or Does Not Meet Expectations on a phase performance evaluation will be considered failing and is cause for termination. The Probationary Firefighter will be given one additional attempt to improve a test score within the probationary period. Retraining and/or retesting shall be directed/coordinated by the Training Division on a case-by-case basis. Failing results on any phase test/performance evaluation will be referred to the Assistant Chief Operations for further action. 5.8 The Probationary Firefighter will also be required to complete The Woodlands Fire Department’s Consumption Course at the guidance of their shift’s PFT(s). This is done at the conclusion of Phase 3 in order to make sure that they are maintaining a proper level of physical training demanded by a physical job. 5.9 Probationary Firefighters will be restricted from working unscheduled overtime shifts and shift trades during Phases I and II. The Probationary Firefighter will be placed in the mandatory overtime rotation when hired and required to work, if needed, on their scheduled mandatory overtime day during any part of the Phase Process. This restriction may only be waived under special circumstances with the approval of the Assistant Chief – Operations. 5.10 Upon successful completion of Phase IV, the Supervising Officer shall gather all documentation and sign off on the completed training for the firefighter. The paperwork shall be reviewed by the appropriate Battalion Chief and forwarded to the Training Division and Assistant Chief of Operations for recommendation of promotion to Firefighter I. PHASE I 6.1 Monthly Evaluation A. Personal Appearance B. Reporting Habits C. Completion of Assignments D. Chain of Command Page 6 of 12 Created 01/22/2019 Revised 01/23/2023 Reviewed 01/23/2023 The Woodlands Fire Department Operational Guidelines A-02 – PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTER PHASE TRAINING E. F. G. H. I. Incident Initiative Composure in Job Performance Teamwork Conduct with the Public Time Reporting 6.2 Apparatus Familiarization A. Operational check of engines B. Equipment location on engines C. Daily/weekly PSTrax checkout of engines 6.3 Proficiency Evaluations A. Company Evolution 1 – Bunker Gear B. Company Evolution 3 through 3.3 – Advancing Handlines C. Company Evolution 6.1 – Ground Ladder Deployment D. Company Evolution 10 – Forward Lay with Attack Line E. Company Evolution 22 and 23 – Blitzfire Operation F. Company Evolution 26 – Deployment of High Rise Pack G. Company Evolution 27 – Hydrant Operations H. Company Evolution 04 – Apartment Lay I. SCBA and Compressor Operations J. OG PP-02 Post-Fire Decontamination K. Bailout Training 6.4 EMS Certification A. Take and pass the TWFD EMS Skills Orientation and Proficiency Exam within thirty (30) days of start date. B. EMS Equipment 1) All TWFD EMS equipment orientation a) Cardiac Monitor Operation and Checkout b) EMS Supply Orders 2) MCHD EMS unit orientation 3) HCESD11 unit orientation C. Complete online courses: 1) Exposure Control Program 2) HIPAA Awareness 6.5 Physical Training A. The Probationary Firefighter will participate in at least one (1) hour of physical training each shift. Page 7 of 12 Created 01/22/2019 Revised 01/23/2023 Reviewed 01/23/2023 The Woodlands Fire Department Operational Guidelines A-02 – PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTER PHASE TRAINING B. Physical Training shall be documented each shift 7.0 6.6 Written Test A. Rules/Regulations and OG’s 1) TWFD Rules and Regulations 2) Overtime A-01 3) Chain of Command 4) Daily/Weekly Activities A-08 5) Trade Time A-10 6) Sick Time A-13 7) Mayday F-07 8) SCBA PP-02 9) Post-Fire Decontamination PP-08 10) Personal Protective Clothing PP–01 11) Fire Ground F-04 6.7 Required Training A. Courage To Be Safe B. Traffic Safety Course C. NFPA 1851 Advanced Cleaning and Inspection of PPE PHASE II 7.1 Monthly Evaluation A. Personal Appearance B. Reporting Habits C. Completion of Assignments D. Chain of Command E. Incident Initiative F. Composure in Job Performance G. Teamwork H. Conduct with the Public I. Time Reporting 7.2 Apparatus Familiarization A. Operational check of trucks B. Equipment location on trucks C. Daily/weekly PSTrax checkout of trucks Page 8 of 12 Created 01/22/2019 Revised 01/23/2023 Reviewed 01/23/2023 The Woodlands Fire Department Operational Guidelines A-02 – PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTER PHASE TRAINING 8.0 7.3 Proficiency Evaluations A. Company Evolution 7 – Ventilation B. Company Evolution 29 – MayDay/Downed Firefighter C. Company Evolution 30 – Hoseline Drill D. Company Evolution 31 – SCBA Maze E. Company Evolution 32 – Forcible Entry F. Company Evolution 33 – Commercial Building Ventilation G. Company Evolution 34 – Large Area Search 7.4 Physical Training A. The Probationary Firefighter will participate in at least one (1) hour of physical training each shift. B. Physical Training shall be documented each shift 7.5 Report Writing and RMS Entries A. The Probationary Firefighter will begin report writing focusing on basic fire reports and 311 medical reports. B. The Company Officer and highest-level EMS certified crew member should review each report with the Probationary Firefighter prior to completion. C. The Probationary Firefighter will begin training record documentation in the Department’s current RMS system. 7.6 Written Test A. Rules/Regulations and OGs 1) Vehicle Accident & Injury Reporting & Investigation MV03. 2) Use of Digital Media, the Internet and Social Networking in the Public Domain A-16. 3) Personnel Accountability System F-03 4) Fire Ground F-04 5) Rapid Intervention Team F-05 6) Two in Two Out F-06 7) High Rise Building Fires SR-01 PHASE III 8.1 Monthly Evaluation A. Personal Appearance B. Reporting Habits Page 9 of 12 Created 01/22/2019 Revised 01/23/2023 Reviewed 01/23/2023 The Woodlands Fire Department Operational Guidelines A-02 – PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTER PHASE TRAINING C. D. E. F. G. H. I. Completion of Assignments Chain of Command Incident Initiative Composure in Job Performance Teamwork Conduct with the Public Time Reporting 8.2 Apparatus Familiarization A. Operational check of HM102/R101 and R106 B. Equipment location on HM102/R101 and R106 C. Daily/weekly PSTrax checkout of HM102/R101 and R106 8.3 Proficiency Evaluations A. Company Evolution 12 - Foam Evolution with Portable Eductor. B. Company Evolution 12-1 – Class A Foam System Operations. C. Company Evolution 16 – Foam Evolution with On-Board Foam Systems. D. Company Evolution 25 – Vehicle Fires E. Container Recognition Skill Sheet F. Emergency Response Guidebook Skill Sheet G. RIT Establishment Skill Sheet H. Rope Inspection Skill Sheet I. SDS & MSDS Information Skill Sheet J. Vehicle Extrication Skill Sheet K. Vehicle Stabilization Skill Sheet 8.4 Physical Training A. The Probationary Firefighter will participate in at least one (1) hour of physical training each shift. B. Physical Training shall be documented each shift 8.5 TWFD Consumption Course A. Must complete consumption in order to move to Phase IV B. The shift’s PFT will evaluate the Probationary FF Page 10 of 12 Created 01/22/2019 Revised 01/23/2023 Reviewed 01/23/2023 The Woodlands Fire Department Operational Guidelines A-02 – PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTER PHASE TRAINING 9.0 PHASE IV 9.1 Monthly Evaluation A. Personal Appearance B. Reporting Habits C. Completion of Assignments D. Chain of Command E. Incident Initiative F. Composure in Job Performance G. Teamwork H. Conduct with the Public I. Time Reporting 9.2 Apparatus Driving/Pumping A. Not needed to complete the Phase Process B. 10 hours driving engines C. 15 hours driving ladders (excluding Tractor Drawn Aerial) D. 2 hours driving boosters E. 12 hours pumping apparatus 9.3 Proficiency Evaluations A. Company Evolution 2 – Preconnect Stretch and Flow Deck Gun. B. Company Evolution 4 – Apartment Lay C. Company Evolution 9 – Fast Attack D. Company Evolution 10-1 – Forward Lay, Support Multiple Handlines. E. Company Evolution 11 – Support an Elevated Master Stream. F. Company Evolution 12-1 – Class A Foam Systems G. Company Evolution 14 – Establish an Elevated Master Stream. H. Company Evolution 17-1 – Operate Crossfire in Ground Monitor Mode. I. Company Evolution 18 – Booster Truck Operations J. Company Evolution 19 – Winch Operations K. Company Evolution 21 – Establish Elevated Master Stream and Supply Handlines. 9.4 Education/Training/License A. possess a current Texas DPS Class B (or higher) driver’s license. B. complete NTSB Defensive Driving Page 11 of 12 Created 01/22/2019 Revised 01/23/2023 Reviewed 01/23/2023 The Woodlands Fire Department Operational Guidelines A-02 – PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTER PHASE TRAINING 9.5 Physical Training A. The Probationary Firefighter will participate in at least one (1) hour of physical training each shift. B. Physical Training shall be documented each shift 9.6 Written Test (Comprehensive) A. All previous Phase Material B. Rules/Regulations and OG’s 1) MV-01 Motor Vehicle Operations 2) MV-02 Apparatus Blocking 3) MV-04 Booster Operations 4) SR-09 Unit Substitution 5) F-01 MCFCA Communications Page 12 of 12 Created 01/22/2019 Revised 01/23/2023 Reviewed 01/23/2023