Training Unit
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Mission Statement
The mission of the CSFD Training Unit is to design, manage, and evaluate professional development programs which enhance life safety for our fire fighters and community.What the Division is All About
The Colorado Springs Fire Department Training Unit is responsible for the initial training of new trainees and for providing on-going professional development of both sworn and civilian personnel. The division develops, delivers, and evaluates training programs to ensure that each individual and operational team of the Department is able to perform their duties safely, effectively, and efficiently.
The Training Unit helps the Colorado Springs Fire Department maintain a reputation as a nationally-recognized fire service leader by providing programs that meet or exceed current industry standards. The Training Division also develops innovative programs, keeping the organization on the leading edge of fire and life safety service delivery. Colorado Springs Fire Department personnel logged a total of 153,100 training hours in 2008. With approximately 427 sworn personnel, this works out to about 358 hours of training per person per year. Examples of training include company operations, emergency driving, live fire, acquired structures, management, and employee development.
Training Programs
Training Academy:
The Training Unit is responsible for putting entry level trainees through an 18-week Training Academy. Training Academies are designed to meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard 1001. Academy graduates receive the following national certifications: Wildland Firefighter Red Card, HazMat Operations, and Firefighter I. Upon successful completion of one year probation, new firefighters will be certified to the Firefighter II level.
Driver Program:
A 7-week Relief Driver Academy is offered and designed to meet the NFPA 1002 Standard. Attendees include both CSFD and surrounding area fire department personnel. Upon successful completion, the candidate will be eligible to take the nationally recognized Driver Operator Pumper and Driver Operator Aerial certification exams. Other training includes in house promotional testing for the position of Driver/Engineer; continuing education classes; evaluating incumbent drivers; providing Trailer Towing Awareness classes, including classroon and skills portion; and driver training to the Training Academy: Light Vehicle, Trainee Pumper Operations, Brush Truck and Off Road.
Officer Academy
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Officer Development Program:
The Officer Development Program is designed to train incumbent officers in the areas of: Fire/Rescue/EMS, HazMat tactics, Safety, Scene Management, NIMS, Human Resource issues, Employee Development, and
Distance Learning Program:
The Distance Learning Program was implemented in August 2002 as a way for our firefighters to remain in-district (on duty) while learning. In 2006 Video On Demand (VOD) was created, which allows a firefighter to request a specific video to play. In 2007, 139 programs were aired and rebroadcast for a total of 8700+ hours. This new means of communication and learning gives the department the ability to disseminate information or critique incidents in a sensitive and timely manner. This alternate means also delivers valuable training to our surrounding fire departments which have cable television capability.
Safety Officer Program:
The Battalion Chief assigned to the Training Unit is also the designated Safety Officer for the department. The Training Unit has been instrumental in the training of all Battalion Chiefs, Hazmat Officers, and Decon Officers as nationally certified Incident Safety Officers. Four members of the Training Unit staff sit on the CSFD's Safety Committee and one member on the City of
National Incident Management System:
The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is a standardized approach to incident management and response. The NIMS framework is designed to apply to all incidents, regardless of their size or complexity. NIMS training is required for all federal, state, local, tribal, private sector and non-governmental personnel who have a direct role in emergency management and response. The Training Division is in charge of making sure all first responders with the CSFD are educated in NIMS and certified based on their role and responsibilities.
Colorado
The Colorado Metropolitan Certification Board (CMCB) was established in 1995 with four original departments with the purpose of managing the firefighter professional certification process for the member departments. Today, CMCB has six member departments:
