You are the
Fire
Service
Instructor
Case Based
Exercises for Fire
Instructors
B/C Forest F. Reeder,
Pleasantview (IL) FPD
You are the Fire Service Instructor
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
Prior to beginning any evaluation of training, what
steps must you take to ensure that the student is
prepared to perform the task?
A student has informed you that he/she has a
blood sugar issue before participating in a lengthy
training exercise at the burn tower, what should
you do?
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
How should you deal with the inappropriate
language being used by some of your students
during a training session?
After completion of the evaluation, a student asks
for the score of his friend because he had to
leave early. What is the most compelling reason
why you should not provide the information?
Follow-up points:
Department SOG/Policy references:
Instructor Make-Over
Page 2
You are the Fire Service Instructor
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
Identify the most effective training session you
have attended. Why was it so effective?
Consider the upcoming training sessions
scheduled for your department.
What can you do to improve the training
environment (classroom, drillground) to ensure
that all students can see, hear and participate in
the training?
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
How might an instructor improve communication
and performance feedback with students?
How would you correct inappropriate behavior by
a student such as talking, reading the paper or
text messaging on their phones during your
training session?
Follow-up points:
Department SOG/Policy references:
Instructor Make-Over
Page 3
You are the Fire Service Instructor
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
What are the laws or principles of learning that
affect a student’s ability to improve their ability to
don an SCBA after repeated trials?
What are the three types of learning domains
used in the learning process?
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
How should you structure lesson plan content for
a course that is taking place over several days of
delivery? Consider other instructors teaching
How do you handle a student who repeatedly fails
a practical skill station?
before/after your presentation.
Follow-up points:
Department SOG/Policy references:
Instructor Make-Over
Page 4
You are the Fire Service Instructor
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
A student is witnessed looking at answers on
another firefighters test sheet. How would you
handle this?
Which domain is typically the most difficult to
train to or even see direct application at a training
session?
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
How do physical distracters (playing with keys or
use of uh or uhm) impair the communication
process? How can and instructor avoid using
them?
What is the primary reason for adding an activity
or chances for student application into your
presentation?
What are the most effective methods that you
use to involve your students?
Follow-up points:
Department SOG/Policy references:
Instructor Make-Over
Page 5
You are the Fire Service Instructor
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
During your presentation, a student asks a
question that challenges both you and the
material be presented, how do you respond?
If you inadvertently use offensive language
during a presentation, what should you do?
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
How do you document when an injury occurs to a
participant or observer of a training session.
What are examples of the types of disabilities that
are covered by the American with Disabilities Act.
Follow-up points:
Department SOG/Policy references:
Instructor Make-Over
Page 6
You are the Fire Service Instructor
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
What are examples of the types of materials that
are covered by copyright laws.
While you are delivering a presentation, you feel
the need to expand on your personal feelings
about the subject. This may be contrary to the
prepared lesson plan or objectives. What should
you do?
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
How do you respond to a student who requests a
copy of a “study guide” to help them prepare for
an upcoming certification exam? He clearly is
looking for test answers.
You are running way behind in the delivery of
your material and have not covered all objectives
that the students will be evaluated on. You will
not get through the content before your available
time is up. What should you do?
Follow-up points:
Department SOG/Policy references:
Instructor Make-Over
Page 7
You are the Fire Service Instructor
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
Discuss the characteristics of each generational
learner. (Baby Boomers, Generation X, Next
Generation)
Which learning domain involves the change in
behavior related to physical or manipulative skills.
How do you plan training for classes that all will
be present in?
What adult learning principles apply to the
physical skill training that can help/hinder good
performance?
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
What are the traits of a person who you felt was
a great communicator in the classroom.
What are the components of a valid learning
objective?
Follow-up points:
Department SOG/Policy references:
Instructor Make-Over
Page 8
You are the Fire Service Instructor
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
What are the four-steps in the 4-step method of
instruction?
How do you teach safety to a profession that by
its nature operates in a dangerous environment?
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
How do you develop a strategy to improve a
students’ performance based on a poor evaluation
result?
How do you base the selection process used to
schedule instructors for a training session?
Follow-up points:
Department SOG/Policy references:
Instructor Make-Over
Page 9
You are the Fire Service Instructor
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
What NFPA Standard deals with the requirements
for Live Fire Training Exercises?
What NFPA Standard(s) deals with the need to
establish Rehabilitation at extended or heavy
activity training sessions?
Name the required positions that must be filled to
execute the training according to standard.
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
What are the traits of a person who you felt was
a great communicator in the practical training
sessions?
What are the federally mandated training
requirements that apply to virtually all fire
suppression personnel?
Follow-up points:
Department SOG/Policy references:
Instructor Make-Over
Page 10
You are the Fire Service Instructor
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
The union representative for the shift is telling you
that training should not take place today due to
extreme temperatures. How should you respond
to this?
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
Your department is asked to participate in a
house burn in a neighboring town. Upon arrival,
you see multiple live fire training safety violations
being committed. What should you do?
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
Describe the requirements for PPE that should be
used at practical training sessions.
You have received permission to conduct hose
lead out training at an empty store front. Once
the training is completed, you notice scuff marks
on the floors, doors and walls of the structure.
How should you deal with this problem?
Follow-up points:
Department SOG/Policy references:
Instructor Make-Over
Page 11
You are the Fire Service Instructor
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
An inspector from a state regulatory agency has
arrived unannounced at your station and wants to
review training records specific to his agency.
How should you respond to this visit and request?
A Chief Officer refuses to complete department
mandated SCBA training as required by policy and
department practice. What should you do about
this situation?
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
An instructor is struggling to present information
in front of their company. The members are
clearly agitated and are becoming disruptive. The
instructor takes a break and comes to your for
assistance in completing the rest of the drill.
The drill session calls for the use of ground
ladders on a particularly windy day. Members are
concerned that the ladders will fall but in your
opinion, this should not present a problem. They
are challenging your decision to continue the drill.
Follow-up points:
Department SOG/Policy references:
Instructor Make-Over
Page 12
You are the Fire Service Instructor
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
A student fails to meet standards on multiple
occasions and other students are becoming
frustrated with his/her lack of performance. How
do you document lack of performance by an
individual student in this type of situation?
A company training roster has been submitted to
you and the hours of training are excessive for
the type of training and the lesson plan provided
to the instructor. What should you do?
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
In what NFPA Standard series are JPR’s (Job
Performance Requirements) found in?
What are the differences in job duties for the 3
levels of NFPA Fire Service Instructor?
Follow-up points:
Department SOG/Policy references:
Instructor Make-Over
Page 13
You are the Fire Service Instructor
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
A student asks for an end of course examination
to be administered orally and states that he has a
learning disability previously not disclosed during
the course. What should you do?
A guest instructor completes a lecture
presentation in which much of the training
material is either outdated or not consistent with
your department procedure. How should you
handle this situation?
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
A written exam is given on a series of training
sessions presented during the month. One shift
scores very low compared to other crews taking
the same test. How should you respond to this?
A safety officer stops a training evolution due to a
safety concern. As the instructor, you feel that
this is unwarranted and is a challenge to your
authority on the drillground. Companies are
awaiting instructions.
Follow-up points:
Department SOG/Policy references:
Instructor Make-Over
Page 14
You are the Fire Service Instructor
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
A student in your class can be categorized as a
“know-it-all” and is frequently interrupting the
class with add-on information and is monopolizing
the application of class material. How should you
handle him/her?
Your class is struggling to remain conscious
during your lengthy PowerPoint presentation.
There are many more slides to cover and a test
will be administered at the end of the class on the
material. How can you adjust the learning
environment or material to complete an effective
training session?
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
Emergency responses are interrupting the
delivery of a mandatory training session and one
company only completes 1 hour of a 3 hour class.
How does your department handle these
situations?
A firefighter asks to privately discuss concerns
over another class member’s physical unsuitability
to complete training evolutions. Records show
that the firefighter in question has passed all
evaluations. The firefighter states that he has
witnessed many failures that are being signed off
as passing by other instructors.
Follow-up points:
Department SOG/Policy references:
Instructor Make-Over
Page 15
You are the Fire Service Instructor
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
How do you construct written examinations for
classes you instruct?
Name at least 5 types of written exam questions
that can be used in student evaluations.
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
YOU ARE THE
FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTOR
A firefighter has scored 100% on multiple exams
in the fire academy and rumors are circulating
that your exam battery may have been
compromised. This student is the only one
mastering your exams. What should you do?
A student comes to your class with facial hair that
would violate NFPA standards for wearing a
facepiece. He states that his department allows it
but it clearly violates your departments’ similar
policy. What should you do?
Follow-up points:
Department SOG/Policy references:
Instructor Make-Over
Page 16