Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service Maneuver Warfare for the Fire Service Course Curriculum Principles of Adult Learning CO 701-00-29 27-29 February 2000 Prepared by: John Wilmot 14 Annapearl Ct. Apt. 2 Toronto, ON M2N 4H5 john@standto.com Needs Analysis: In recent years many Firefighters and Fire Officers have expressed concern over a perceived reduction in the morale of the Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service. Some of this loss of morale is due to a feeling that Firefighters are not being informed about what is going on. Firefighter have also expressed a concern that their job knowledge and experience is being ignored by the department in favour of using them as mere tools to perform a task list. To correct this situation the Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service needs a way to involve Firefighters in the decision-making process and to draw on their experience wherever possible. We need to adopt a system of leadership where everyone on the fire ground feels they are contributing to the success of the operation. In order to achieve this state, our Fire Officers must be trained to make effective and timely decisions and to communicate those decisions to their crews in a way that involves the individual Firefighters in the accomplishment of the mission. This training should be of a formal nature and should take the form of a course taught to all Fire Officers including Acting Captains. This needs analysis was conducted by interviewing Firefighters and Fire Officers about what are the predominant problems of the Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service. This need can best be described as a perceived need. The Twelve Elements of Curriculum: 1. Goals of the Course. The Maneuver Warfare for the Fire Service Course will provide Fire Officers with decision-making tools and experience that will improve their ability to express their intentions on the fire ground. 2. Rationale. By improving the way Fire Officers make their decisions and improving the way they communicate those decision to their crews, the Maneuver Warfare for the Fire Service course will increase the effectiveness of our fire attacks. The Maneuver Warfare system will capitalize on the experience of all the Firefighters on the fire ground. Fire Officers will learn to clearly identify their intentions so that others around them can contribute to the successful achievement of that stated goal. 3. Objectives. The Fire Officer will apply the principles of Maneuver Warfare to firefighting situations. The Fire Officer will identify the tools of Maneuver Warfare. The Fire Officer will participate in Tactical Decision Making Games based on fire ground situations. The Fire Officer will explain the Boyd Cycle of decision-making and how it can be modified to apply to the fire service. The Fire Officer will describe the traditional planning model. The Fire Officer will describe the Recognition Primed decision-making model. The Fire Officer will participate in group discussions on firefighting situations. 4. Criteria for success. Learners on the course will write an exam based on the course content. They will also be required to participate in the group discussions. A short post course assignment will access how well the learner applies the knowledge learned on the course. 5. Content. The course will consist of lessons where the Fire Officer will be introduced to the Principles and tools of the Maneuver Warfare system. These lessons will be applied to actual fire situations in group discussions. The Fire Officer will also learn about the Boyd Cycle in decision making and how it can be adapted and applied to the fire service. The recognition primed decision making model will be examined and compared to the traditional planning model. These decision making models will then be used in problem solving exercises. The Fire Officer will be introduced to Tactical Decision Making Games where all the previous lessons will be used to assess fire situations and determine practical solutions to the problems at hand. 6. Entry characteristics. The learner will hold the rank of Acting Captain or higher. Firefighters may apply for entry to the course if they have permission from their Platoon Chief. 7. Delivery Modes. Since the content of this course is cognitive, the delivery mode will be by classroom lessons and discussion group learning. The Tactical Decision Making Games will be conducted using the Socratic method of questions and answers. 8. Learner assistance. The Fire Officer will have access to the instructors during and after the course. A suggested reading list will also be available. 9. Logistics and scheduling. To conduct this course the main lecture room of the Training Division at the Joint Operations Centre is required. Also other separate rooms such as the Training Office and the Training Bays will be needed for small group discussions. The course will be conducted over two days. Learners must be out of service in order to participate fully. 10. Required materials and resources. The following materials are required for the course; * Overhead Projector * PowerPoint Projector * Projection Screen The following materials are required for each learner on the course; * Discussion Paper: Applying the Principles of Maneuver Warfare to the Fire Service by John Wilmot * Warfighting U.S. Marine Corps ISBN 0-385-47834-8 * Notebook 11. Implementation This course may be conducted at any time provided there are at least ten learners. It will consist of two eight-hour days with lunch and coffee breaks as usual. 12. Course evaluation The learners will complete a written evaluation at the end of the course. Three months after completion of the course a post course questionnaire will be circulated to the learners to access how well course content is implemented. The Course Outline: Course Name. Maneuver Warfare for the Fire Service Description. The Maneuver Warfare for the Fire Service course is designed to compliment the Incident Command System by providing Fire Officers with decision-making methods that will improve their tempo of operations on the fire ground. Fire Officers will learn the Principles of Maneuver Warfare and how to apply them to the Fire Service. They will participate in Tactical Decision Making Games that will practice their ability to use the Principles and the tools of Maneuver Warfare in a simulation of fire activities. Admission Requirements. Students must be qualified to the level of Acting Captain prior to attending this course. Consideration will be given to Firefighters who are not Acting Captains if they have a recommendation from their Platoon Chief. Rational Statement. Fire Officers will gain an understanding of the decision-making process and will learn to express their decisions in a clear manner so as to improve their crew's effectiveness on the fire ground. They will participate in discussions with other Fire Officers in order to increase their base of experience in emergency response situations. Goal. The Maneuver Warfare for the Fire Service Course will provide Fire Officers with decision-making tools and experience that will improve their ability to express their intentions on the fire ground. Objectives The Fire Officer will apply the principles of Maneuver Warfare to firefighting situations. The Fire Officer will identify the tools of Maneuver Warfare. The Fire Officer will participate in Tactical Decision Making Games based on fire ground situations. The Fire Officer will explain the Boyd Cycle of decision-making and how it can be modified to apply to the fire service. The Fire Officer will describe the traditional planning model. The Fire Officer will describe the Recognition Primed decision-making model. The Fire Officer will participate in group discussions on firefighting situations. Materials Required. All course materials will be provided. Dress for the course will be casual. Time Frame. 16 Hours. Methodology. This course will be conducted in the classroom. There will be traditional lessons as well as group discussions. The Tactical Decision Making portion of the course will call upon the students' own experience to assess fire situations and to determine practical solutions to the problems faced. Evaluation. A successful Fire Officer will achieve a mark of at least 60% on a written test, participate in class discussions and complete a post course assignment. The marks for the course will be determined as follows; Written Test 50% Class Participation* 25% Post Course Assignment 25% *Marks for class participation will be assigned by the instructor based on the student's contribution to the material covered. Learner Support. The Fire Officer will have access to the instructors during and after the course. A suggested reading list will also be available. Proposed Course Evaluation Form: Maneuver Warfare for the Fire Service Course Evaluation Please complete the following course evaluation form. Course Dates __________________________ Platoon ___________ Instructors _______________________ Your Name ________________________ (Optional) _______________________ _______________________ Circle the most appropriate answer. Comments can be made in the space at the bottom of the page. Physical Requirements Disagree Agree The training area was suitable for the course. 1 2 3 4 5 The lighting was adequate. 1 2 3 4 5 The temperature and ventilation were adequate. 1 2 3 4 5 The training aids were helpful and appropriate to the training. 1 2 3 4 5 There are better training aids that should be used for this course. 1 2 3 4 5 (Please explain below) Comments Circle the most appropriate answer. Comments can be made in the space at the bottom of the page. Course Content Disagree Agree The course met my expectations. 1 2 3 4 5 There was enough time devoted to each topic on the course. 1 2 3 4 5 (If not, explain below which topics need more time.) There was too much time devoted to a topic on the course. 1 2 3 4 5 (If so, explain below which topics need less time.) There are topics you feel should be added to the course. 1 2 3 4 5 (If so, explain below.) Comments Circle the most appropriate answer. Comments can be made in the space at the bottom of the page. Instructor Ability Disagree Agree The Instructors were prepared to teach the course. 1 2 3 4 5 The course was taught in a professional manner. 1 2 3 4 5 The Instructors knew the material and put it across well. 1 2 3 4 5 The explanations were clear and understandable. 1 2 3 4 5 Comments Post Course Assessment. You took the Maneuver Warfare for the Fire Service course approximately three months ago. Please complete the following assessment of the course content. Course Dates __________________________ Platoon ___________ Instructors _______________________ Your Name ________________________ (Optional) _______________________ _______________________ Circle the most appropriate answer. Comments can be made in the space at the bottom of the page. Course Content Disagree Agree The material taught on the course is useful in day-to-day operations. 1 2 3 4 5 I have used what I learned on the course at a fire call. 1 2 3 4 5 Emphasis was placed on the most useful portions of the course. 1 2 3 4 5 I would like more training in this area. 1 2 3 4 5 (If so, explain below.) Comments