Annapolis Fire Department Operating Policy Manual Chapter 4: Training and Standards 4.5 Overview of Training Issued: 12/27/2019 Evolutions Revised: 11/13/2020

Approved by: Douglas M. Remaley Fire Chief

4.5.1 Purpose of Training Evolutions The Department has established individual and company training evolutions to evaluate objectively the knowledge, skills and abilities at the individual, company and battalion levels. The training evolutions contained in this policy apply to all uniform personnel regardless of their assignment and reflect the basic firefighting and EMS skills that all uniform firefighters are expected to perform.

The purpose of these training evolutions is to provide the department with a means for recognizing acceptable to outstanding performance as well as identifying and correcting performance deficiencies. The Training Evolutions Program includes the following:

A. Evolutions shall reflect the normal physical performance requirements for personnel who engage in emergency operations.

B. Uniform personnel shall demonstrate proficiency in meeting the physical performance requirements established through the execution of no less than four (4) Engine, four (4) Truck and four (4) Medical Training Evolutions annually. Special Operations personnel in addition shall complete all objectives in their specialties annually (i.e.; Fireboat, Rescue Boat, HazMat, etc.).

C. Personnel who do not meet the required level of physical performance to complete the evolutions shall not be permitted to engage in emergency operations.

D. Personnel who are unable to meet the physical performance requirements shall enter a physical performance rehabilitation program developed by their respective Duty Battalion Chief and Training Division with medical direction if needed to facilitate progress in attaining a level of performance commensurate with the individual’s assigned duties and responsibilities.

4.5.2 Performance Objectives It should be noted that while it is important that the evolutions be completed within the times noted, it is equally important that the evolutions be performed efficiently and with sound firefighting principles. Completing the skills within the times allotted, but with poor execution is not acceptable. Officers must ensure firefighters demonstrate the ability to perform the evolutions safely, in the time allotted and employing proper procedures. 4.5.2.1 Performance Goal The goal of the Annapolis Fire Department is that each individual, company or combination of companies be able to complete satisfactorily the training evolutions contained in these procedures without prior notice or practice.

4.5.2.2 Replication of Actual Emergencies The individual, company and combination of company evolutions contained in these training evolutions are designed to replicate actual fire, EMS, rescue or other emergency scene activities and represent the most effective, efficient and safest methods for performing skills, tasks and evolutions. Accordingly, all skills, tasks and evolutions shall be practiced as if they were an actual emergency.

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4.5.2.3 Flexibility of Standards The training evolutions contained within are intended to be used as a basis for operation. They are not intended to prevent an officer or individual from deviating from these training evolutions, if necessary, due to conditions or extenuating circumstances encountered at an emergency incident.

4.5.2.4 Minimum Acceptable Performance Levels This policy contains training evolutions for basic company evolutions, taking into consideration the various staffing levels typically found. Minimum acceptable levels of performance shall be considered to have been met when evolutions are completed within the specified times and in accordance with the specified procedures.

4.5.2.5 Measurement of Time When performance is being evaluated, time will begin when the first foot touches the ground or the air brake is applied (whichever occurs first) and will end when, in the opinion of the evaluator, the basic purpose of the evolution has been accomplished. The same measurements shall apply to the Driver Qualification Testing. Task errors (mistakes or omissions) shall be determined by assessing a time penalty against the evolution. Utilize AFD Training Evolutions Scoring Sheet (Form # 118).

4.5.3 Safety Safety shall be the primary consideration when conducting performance evolutions. All participants shall observe the following rules:

A. Safety shall never be compromised for speed.

B. Personnel shall operate all equipment and apparatus according to the manufacturer’s recommended safe operating guidelines.

C. It shall be the responsibility of each officer to ensure that all drills, evolutions and performance evaluations are conducted in a safe manner.

D. Personal protective equipment (PPE) shall be utilized for every evolution and performance evaluation according to departmental requirements, as if the evolution or evaluation were a real emergency or incident.

E. Evaluators are authorized to stop any evolution where the evolution is threatening the safety of personnel or the apparatus.

F. An officer or senior firefighter shall be assigned as a Safety Officer whenever possible during evolutions and evaluations.

4.5.4 Responsibilities 4.5.4.1 Battalion Officers A. Battalion Officers shall be responsible for conducting training evolutions as published by the Training Division in the Departmental Orders for all personnel under their command. This task may be delegated to junior officers, but the responsibility remains with the Battalion Chief. If the task is delegated to junior officers, the Battalion Chief shall observe at least four (4) training evolutions conducted by different officers per calendar year. The Battalion Officers shall review the training evolutions with their officers to identify any performance related concerns.

1. The annual training evolutions published by the Training Division are the minimum annual requirements established by the Department. Battalion Officers shall monitor the performance of their personnel and

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with feedback from junior officers assign additional evolutions or training to address skill deficiencies.

4.5.4.2 Company Officers Company Officers shall:

A. Assure that all of their personnel are practiced in the skills necessary to conduct the training evolutions.

B. If directed by the Battalion Chief, conduct training evolutions with personnel as published by the Training Division in the Departmental Orders.

C. Report any employee performance related problems to the Battalion Chief and develop an action plan, with assistance from the Training Division if required, to provide remedial training to address performance concerns.

D. Document all training evolutions using training reports. Each Training Evolution shall be entered electronically. Any failures shall also be documented on a Form # 118 and hard copies forwarded as needed to the Duty Battalion Chief and Training Division.

4.5.4.5 Operational Personnel Operational Personnel shall:

A. Assure that they are proficient in the skills and standard practices employed by the Annapolis Fire Department.

B. Request assistance through the chain of command when there is a skill or requirement in which they believe additional training is necessary.

4.5.4.5 The Commander of the Training Division The Training Division shall:

A. Develop training evolutions with input from the Deputy Chief to reflect the department’s mission.

B. Monitor and adapt the Training Evolutions Program to reflect current national regional and local guidelines.

C. Maintain records of the training and evaluations.

D. Assist with performing evaluations or remedial training when requested.

E. Schedule training evolutions in Departmental Orders per schedule developed with input from the Deputy Chief.

F. Monitor the Training Evolutions to ensure they remain complaint with improvements and changes in the fire service.

4.5.4.5 EMS Division The Commander of the EMS Division shall:

A. Develop EMS training evolutions as required by our Medical Director, Maryland State Medical Protocols and/or operational necessity.

B. Identify performance related training needs through feedback from EMS supervisors and Quality Assurance Reviews.

C. Monitor and adapt the EMS Training Evolutions to reflect current national, regional and local guidelines.

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Schedule 4.5.5.1 Engine Evolutions – Personnel shall perform a minimum of four (4) training evolutions at least once annually. 4.5.5.2 Truck Evolutions Personnel shall perform a minimum of four (4) training evolutions at least once annually.

4.5.5.3 Rescue Squad Evolutions Rescue Squad companies shall perform the following training evolutions at least annually: TR-1and TR-2. 4.5.5.4 EMS Evolutions Personnel shall perform a minimum of six (6) training evolutions at least once annually.

The schedule shall be set as:

On odd years, the odd numbered evolutions shall be completed and on even years, the even numbered evolutions shall be completed.

4.5.5.5 EMS Units EMS providers assigned to a transport unit or supervisor unit shall participate in training evolutions as per the direction of the Senior Station Officer.

4.5.5.6 Fireboat Evolutions Fireboat Company shall participate in training evolutions at least once annually as per the direction of the Fireboat Co-Coordinator: FB36-1, FB 36-2 and FB 36-3.

4.5.6 Position Assignments In order to ensure and promote consistency throughout the department, the following position assignments shall apply to all evolutions regardless of the type of Company:

Position/Functional Responsibility Apparatus driver.

Officer or individual riding in that seat.

Firefighter riding in rear cab or the Tiller Operator.

4.5.7 Requirements for personnel unable to work their assignment

Personnel who have been unable to work their assignment (due to military leave, separation of services, injury, etc.) and had been a qualified Driver Operator of any suppression apparatus shall be required upon their return to complete a minimum of a three (3) hour refresher on each type of apparatus (i.e.; engine, truck, rescue squad, etc.) prior to being assigned as a driver. This shall include specialty apparatus and positions (Fireboat, ACCU-1, EMS36, FESU, etc.). If personnel began their initial training prior to the period they were off and it was not completed, they shall restart their qualifications upon their return to work.

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