What Fire Instructors Need To Know
The Support Person Role is now included in NFPA 1010. An excellent article written last year for J&B-PSG learning by Michael Smith, MPA, titled “NFPA 1010: What Fire Instructors Need to Know” reviewed the consolidation of NFPA 1001 into 1010. Smith provided an overview of the changes and emphasized the importance of reviewing and integrating this new standard into departments’ SOPs. The NFPA committee consolidated several standards into one and they added the ‘Support Person” position, which is described in Chapter 5 of the NFPA 1010 Standard. There were several goals in the consolidation process.
NFPA Consolidation Goal
The goal for consolidation was to streamline content and reduce redundancies within the multiple standards to create a more efficient guide for fire departments. The intention is to help simplify training and operational procedures and ensure greater consistency in safety protocols across the industry. It also provides standardized training for community members interested in helping at emergency scenes.
Engaging the Community
The addition of the “Support Person” role in NFPA 1010 addressed the need to increase volunteerism and enhance community engagement. The idea was to focus on specific tasks, reduce the training hours needed, and streamline the onboarding process. When volunteers can be active participants earlier in the process, it encourages and helps maintain their interest. The importance of volunteers in the fire service cannot be overstated.
The Value of Volunteers
Doug Forsman, retired chief, and NFPA 1010 committee member remarked on how valuable community members are to the fire department. This includes labor, a variety of skills, and service. He also emphasized that some individuals are not interested or able to participate in full Firefighting 1 training. However, they may still be looking to contribute in meaningful ways. With fewer training hours, the support role outlines various NFPA skills specifically designed for outside the “hot zone,” at the station, or within the community. Training officers can begin the process by integrating the new standard into their SOPs.
The Training Officer’s Role
Training officers will be essential in ensuring that the updated standard is properly integrated into department SOPs. By aligning tactics, protocols, and vocabulary, especially for critical functions like SCBA use, rescue operations, hose handling, and incident management. NFPA 1010 will establish a common foundation for all fire departments and assist with volunteer recruitment efforts.
Increase Community Engagement By Implementing The Support Person Role In NFPA 1010
Training officers can attract volunteers and increase community engagement by implementing the support person role into department operations. Due to selective skills and focused training, this role may appeal to older or retired citizens, young folks exploring career options, members with certain disabilities, or people with particular skills. It’s important for the fire service to find ways to increase volunteer participation.
Volunteers in the Fire Service
Volunteerism in the fire service is at an all-time low. There are many contributing factors, the most common is the lack of time for the training required for Firefighter 1 proficiency.
With a reduced number of required training hours for this support role, it could have a much wider appeal and help with various tasks needed at the station, at an emergency scene, or within the community that wants to participate in the fire service, but in a limited way. The support person role in NFPA 1010 may be the perfect opportunity to leverage the skills and enthusiasm of these individuals. This begins with training.
Utilize the Support Person Role In NFPA 1010
When trained to meet the Support Person requirements in NFPA 1010, chapter 5, this person can assist in non-hazardous atmospheres and protected work areas, including hydrant operations, communications, scene safety, equipment maintenance, and the cleaning and inspection of PPE. These and other supportive roles are indispensable at emergency incidents and are important contributions to general fire department operations.
NEW Training Resources for Fire Instructors for The Support Role Added to NFPA 1010
Action Training Systems Presents Fire Operation Support
Action Training Systems (ATS) “Fire Operation Support” 12-title video series, available as streaming, interactive online, as PowerPoint or on DVD/USB is an essential training resource for fire departments that actively recruit for, or are dependent on their volunteers. This series is a dynamic, visually engaging training tool that demonstrates the many skills required for support personnel to meet or exceed the job performance requirements in NFPA 1010. When developing this series, several fire service professionals assisted us.
Learning HOW and WHY
Ed Mund, FF/EMT, writer, and committee participant for the NVFC and NFPA is a volunteer with Riverside Fire Authority in Centralia Washington. His focus is on support roles, policy development, training, and recruiting.
Mund assisted with content development and review of the Action Training Systems series, “Fire Operation Support” and had this to say about the training series, “These courses go beyond the nuts and bolts of individual tasks. You will learn the all-important “whys” behind what you are doing, how your work positively impacts firefighting operations, and most importantly how you help keep firefighters safe.”
New Text For Training Support Person Skills in NFPA 1010 from Jones & Bartlett Learning
In addition, the Jones & Bartlett Learning – Public Safety Group has released the first edition of Fundamentals of Firefighter Skills for Support Personnel. This resource will be an excellent companion to the ATS “Fire Operation Support” series. Correlation guides for this manual and other firefighting textbooks are available.
ATS’ Training for NFPA 1010 Support Person Role – Fire Operation Support
There are 12 titles in the ATS series, organized into 3 categories: Roles & Responsibilities, Incident Scene Support, and Preparedness & Maintenance.
Titles Include:
Roles & Responsibilities
- Fire Operations Support Person
- Communication
Incident Scene Support
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Respiratory Protection
- Portable Extinguishers & Fire Classifications
- Scene Safety
- Hose & Hydrant Operations
- Handling Hose
- Scene Lighting & Utility Shut Down
- Ropes & Knots
Preparedness & Maintenance
- Equipment Use, Cleaning & Inspection Part 1
- Equipment Use, Cleaning & Inspection Part 2
For more information about this series and other training products please visit: www.action-training.com or call 800-755-1440