Spring Fire Department Cadet Phase Training and Testing Program PDF

Manual Name: Document Number: Spring Fire Department Policies and Procedures SFD.058 Document Title: Date: 12/7/2020 Cadet Phase Training and Testin...

Manual Name: Document Number: Spring Fire Department Policies and Procedures SFD.058 Document Title: Date: 12/7/2020 Cadet Phase Training and Testing Program Chief’s Signature: Revision Number: 05 PURPOSE Define the phase testing procedure and set a structured guideline that will be adhered to during the first year of employment or volunteer membership with the Spring Fire Department. SCOPE This guideline pertains to all newly hired employees or volunteer Spring Fire Department personnel and shall be adhered to. RESPONSIBILITY All Spring Fire Department personnel are responsible for knowing and complying with this procedure. REVIEW The Fire Chief or designee is responsible for reviewing the procedure annually and assuring its accuracy. REFERENCES/DEFINITIONS Cadet Full/Part-Time Firefighter: An individual who has completed the hiring process set by the Spring Fire Department and is under the supervision of a Captain. Upon completion of one (1) full year of employment and successful completion of phase training, the Cadet is then eligible to promote to Firefighter 1. Cadet Volunteer Firefighter: An individual who has successfully completed all requirements of a Recruit Firefighter and holds a FF1 certification or greater issued by the State Firefighter's and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas, Texas Commission on Fire Protection and/or International Fire Service Accreditation Congress and has received prior approval from the SFD Training Division. The individual will remain in Cadet status until phase testing is completed, then they will be eligible to promote to Firefighter. Captain: An individual who holds the rank of Captain, either from appointment or from a tested position. This individual can be either full-time, part-time, or volunteer. This individual will be responsible for overseeing the Cadet firefighter's training, documentation, and testing during the phase training process in conjunction with their respective District Chief and SFD Training Division. District Chief: An individual who holds the rank of District Chief, either from appointment or from a tested position. This individual can be either full-time, part-time, or volunteer. This individual will be responsible for overseeing all individuals on their respective shift or district. This individual will also monitor the training of the Cadet Firefighter to ensure that it occurs in compliance with this guideline. Page 1 of 5  Manual Name: Document Number: Spring Fire Department Policies and Procedures SFD.058 Document Title: Date: 12/7/2020 Cadet Phase Training and Testing Program Revision Number: 05 Full-Time Firefighter: An individual who is employed by the Spring Fire Department as their primary source of employment. This individual is working a 48-hour on duty, 96-hour off duty, three-platoon schedule. This individual holds a Texas Commission on Fire Protection Basic Firefighter certification or greater and a Texas Department of State Health Services Emergency Medical Technician certification or greater. Part-Time Firefighter: An individual who is employed by the Spring Fire Department as a secondary source of employment. This individual is on an as-needed basis and will be scheduled wherever seen fit to best benefit this organization. This individual holds a Texas Commission on Fire Protection Basic Firefighter certification or greater and a Texas Department of State Health Emergency Medical Technician certification or greater. Volunteer Firefighter: An individual that has successfully completed all requirements of a Cadet Volunteer Firefighter, has completed Phase Testing, and has received prior approval from the SFD Training Division. Individuals are required to staff, per SFD.036 Volunteer Staffing Procedures, and will utilize the appropriate scheduling system to pick up and/or be assigned shifts. This individual is authorized to be an interior firefighter. GUIDELINE During the phase training/testing process, the individual will be challenged to learn the territory, guidelines, and performance standards of the Spring Fire Department. Passing is paramount since the grades received will be used for items such as; Full-Time Firefighter seniority points for promotional testing, Full-Time Firefighter station assignments after phase testing or anything else needed to separate individuals within the hiring group or volunteer recruit academy. It will be the individual's responsibility to learn the material and seek out the necessary training to pass the performance standards. All individuals will activate an SFD training account in Vector Solutions. All material will be accessible through this website and can be accessed at any time, whether on or off-duty. The creation of this account is mandatory, as all written tests will be given through this website. Cadet firefighters will take the initiative to learn and apply all information presented to them. They will prepare for all evaluations and the successful completion of all tests within the time frames set forth in this guideline. They will maintain passing scores on all required tests and be able to satisfactorily perform any evolution required by the Captain, District Chief, or SFD Training Division. Cadet firefighters will be encouraged to obtain their Texas Class B Exempt driver's license after the completion of Phase 4 testing, as long as the Cadet firefighter is 21 years of age or older. If not 21 years of age or older at the time of completion of Phase 4, then the Cadet firefighter will obtain a Texas Class B Exempt driver's license once the minimum of 21 years of age is reached. Page 2 of 5  Manual Name: Document Number: Spring Fire Department Policies and Procedures SFD.058 Document Title: Date: 12/7/2020 Cadet Phase Training and Testing Program Revision Number: 05 Cadet Full-Time Firefighters will not be allowed to accelerate the program to complete phase testing earlier than scheduled. Each phase will last three months, with testing at the end of each phase to show proficiency over those learning objectives. The assigned Captain will ensure the individual is ready to take the written/skill test, and SFD Training Division or their designee will oversee the written/skill testing process. Upon hiring, the Cadet will be given the test dates of the four phases so they can be prepared for each exam. Cadet Part-Time Firefighters may accelerate the phase testing process. This is due to most part-time employees are employed with experience in the fire service, and making the Cadet learn the material over a year-long process may not be necessary. The assigned District Chief has the ultimate authority to allow the individual to accelerate or follow the standard 12-month process. The Part-Time Cadet Firefighter will have their schedule set by the Deputy Chief of Operations. The assigned Captain will schedule the four phases to ensure all material can be learned in the accelerated process by the Cadet. If, during the phase testing process, the Part-Time Cadet Firefighter accepts a full-time position with SFD, then the completed portions of the phase testing process will transfer with them. The newly employed full-time Firefighter will only need to complete the remaining portions. Cadet Volunteer Firefighters will not be allowed to accelerate the program to complete phase testing earlier than scheduled. Each phase will last three months, with testing at the end of each phase to show proficiency over those learning objectives. The assigned Captain will ensure the individual is ready to take the written/skill test, and SFD Training Division/Designee will oversee the written/skill testing process. Upon beginning phase training, the Cadet Volunteer Firefighter will be given the test dates of the four phases so they can be prepared for each exam. If, during the phase test process, the Cadet Volunteer Firefighter takes a full-time position with SFD, then the completed portions of the phase testing process will transfer with them. The newly employed full-time Firefighter will only need to complete the remaining portions. PHASE TESTING Phase testing will be hosted through the Vector Solutions website. The IT department will set up an account for each Cadet. It will be the Cadet's responsibility to follow the instructions on the account activation email. Once the account has been activated, the Cadet will advise the SFD Training Division so that the Cadet can be enrolled in the proper training programs. It will be the Cadet's responsibility to log in to the account and gather the materials needed for the current phase to be completed. It will also be the Cadet's responsibility to report any issues with the training website to their assigned Captain and to the SFD Training Division. It will be the responsibility of the SFD Captain, that has Cadets assigned under their command, to monitor each of their Cadet's progress, offer any assistance with training and education, and to support their successful completion of each phase. It will be the Cadet's responsibility to participate in the scheduled phase assignments, guideline tests, and performance standard testing in Vector Solutions. The Cadet's assigned Captain will administer all performance standard testing. Page 3 of 5  Manual Name: Document Number: Spring Fire Department Policies and Procedures SFD.058 Document Title: Date: 12/7/2020 Cadet Phase Training and Testing Program Revision Number: 05 It is mandatory that the Cadet completes the phase testing process, as assigned. Any deviations must be approved by both the Operations Chief and the SFD Training Division. Phases Phase 1: Months 1-3 of employment or Cadet Volunteer status. This phase will include a selection of performance standard skills test and a written test over specified guidelines. Phase 2: Months 4-6 of employment or Cadet Volunteer status. This phase will include a selection of performance standard skills test and a written test over specified guidelines. Phase 3: Months 7-9 of employment or Cadet Volunteer status. This phase will include a selection of performance standard skills test and a written test over specified guidelines. Phase 4: Months 9-12 of employment or Cadet Volunteer status. This phase will include a selection of performance standard skills test and a written test over specified guidelines. Final Exam: This will be administered one (1) week after the completion of Phase 4 testing and will include a comprehensive written exam over all of the phase guidelines and a territory test of major roads/cross streets in the district. A successful completion consists of passing with the minimum posted grade for each test, skill, and or any other assigned assessments. After the successful completion of phase 4 and 1 year of employment, Cadet Firefighters are eligible for promotion to Firefighter 1. This will show that the individuals have completed all aspects of the phase testing process, and they are no longer on Cadet status. GRADING The Spring Fire Department requires passing of all aspects of the phase testing program. If any individual does not maintain minimum standards on any of the required tests or performance standards, the following re-training will apply: Written: 1st testing attempt, if unsuccessful: A retest will be scheduled within one (1) week from the date of 1st unsuccessful attempt. 2nd testing attempt, if unsuccessful: A retest will be scheduled within one (1) week from the 2nd test date. The Cadet will receive a verbal warning in conjunction with SFD.042, Discipline and Corrective Action. 3rd testing attempt, if unsuccessful: A retest will be scheduled within one (1) week from the 3rd test date. The Cadet will receive a written warning in conjunction with SFD.042, Discipline and Corrective Action. 4th testing attempt, if unsuccessful: Page 4 of 5  Manual Name: Document Number: Spring Fire Department Policies and Procedures SFD.058 Document Title: Date: 12/7/2020 Cadet Phase Training and Testing Program Revision Number: 05 The Cadet shall be removed from Cadet Firefighter status, and the Training Division, Human Resources, and their supervisors will evaluate their employment/volunteer membership. Performance Standard Evaluations: 1st testing attempt, if unsuccessful: A retest will be scheduled within one (1) week from the date of 1st unsuccessful attempt. If the proctor and Cadet feel the Cadet can obtain a passing score immediately, a retest can occur without waiting the one (1) week. 2nd testing attempt, if unsuccessful: A retest will be scheduled within one (1) week from the 2nd test date, and the Cadet will receive a verbal warning in conjunction with SFD.042, Discipline and Corrective Action. 3rd testing attempt, if unsuccessful: A retest will be scheduled within one (1) week from the 3rd test date, and the Cadet will receive a written warning in conjunction with SFD.042, Discipline and Corrective Action. 4th testing attempt, if unsuccessful: The Cadet shall be removed from Cadet Firefighter status, and the Training Division, Human Resources, and their supervisors will evaluate their employment/volunteer membership. RANKING For Full-Time Firefighters, seniority will be based on a combined score of all 4 phase guideline tests and the final exam. This number will then be averaged by the 5 test scores. The average number will be used to determine your ranking/seniority within your hiring group. In the event that a guideline test is taken and not passed the first time, then the first attempt score will be used to find the average, not the passing score of another attempt. Tie Breaker – If there is an equal average score amongst two or more individuals in a hiring group, the following order of test scores will be used until a tie is broken to determine the ranking/seniority of those individuals. Final Exam Score Phase 4 Guideline Score Phase 3 Guideline Score Phase 2 Guideline Score Phase 1 Guideline Score Initial Employment Written Test Score Page 5 of 5