It’s time to “play up”! In this Chief Chat, Fire Chief Jason Caughey addresses the importance of aligning firefighter training with the actual incidents firefighters will encounter. Caughey also highlights the power of “playing up” — practicing in higher roles to gain perspective — as well as “playing in context” — keeping skills and actions relevant within realistic scenarios. He advises designing training programs that are intentional, planned, and linked to real job tasks to ensure safe and effective performance on the fireground.
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The greatest tribute to those lost on 9/11 isn’t found only in ceremonies but rather in the values firefighters carry into every shift
New skills require repetition; established skills demand realistic scenarios, sound decisions and measurable performance
How to control emotions, use technology and “practice perfect” to enhance fireground communications
Reviewing benefits and risks of volunteer fire department mergers — and how to start the merger process for a smooth transition
The real discussion should focus on controlling what we can control in an uncontrollable environment
