Learning actions of fire fighters using best practices

Abstract

Fire fighters, nationally and in Montana, face significant hazards in their work. To work effectively and avoid injury and death, fire fighters must effectively train in many subject areas. Fire fighters, as adult learners, learn by various learning actions from various sources. This study examined the learning actions and learning sources used by selected fire fighters recognized as using best practices in preparing a safe and competent workforce. This qualitative research used researcher-developed interview questions, a rating of sources questionnaire, and observation of artifacts to investigate the learning actions and learning sources used by selected fire fighters who were recognized as using best practices in preparing a safe and competent workforce. The participants were selected by a group of Montana fire fighters who served as field staff members or advisory council members from the Montana Fire Services Training School. Each of the 15 members of the selection group identified fire fighters they recognized as using best practices in preparing a safe and competent workforce. Nineteen participant fire fighters were recognized as using best practices in preparing a safe and competent workforce. The participants were from 17 fire service organizations and included fire service members with the ranks of fire fighter, fire officer and fire chief. The participants provided demographic information about themselves, their communities, and their organizations. The participants rated learning sources in terms of the relevance and frequency of use. They answered seven open-ended interview questions regarding learning sources and actions and provided access to artifacts including technology, facilities, procedures and records. The top learning sources and actions included observation of the deployment of fire fighters during training/drills and incidents/responses, networking with other fire fighters, and the educational products and services provided by the Montana Fire Services Training School including the resource center, electronic newsletter, courses and consultancy services. The artifacts supported the interview and survey data gathered from the participants.