FDIC agenda proves the point
The program that bills itself as "premier...setting the benchmark for instruction" boldly illustrates that fire fighting is a constantly-evolving profession. At the same time, it supports a principle that has not changed since history's very first alarm was answered - the most basic element of fire fighter safety is comprehensive, up-to-date training.

That evaluation of the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) comes from MAFF Director Michael J. O'Lear, who knows a thing or two about both modern training and safety basics. He's a long-time Macomb Township fire fighter who knows a thing or two about both modern training and safety basics. He's a long time Macomb Township fire fighter and EMT and a union leader who places a premium on the value of in-service instruction. He also considers the conference to be truly top notch and valuable, just as its sponsors claim.

"There isn't a conflict in saying that the FDIC's agenda shows how much things have changed and how much the importance of training remains the same," he declared. "In a way, the first point actually proves the second one.

"We all know that fire-fighting is more challenging than ever before. A lot of things go into that, not the least of which is the threat of terrorism and our professional role in meeting that threat. We have to be proficient in dealing with all kinds of fires and hazardous circumstances that were hardly thought about just a decade ago.

"We also know that there are constant new developments in technology and equipment that we have to adapt to, in order to meet these challenges. There are related upgrades in training and education, for the same reason. These upgrades enable us to use our new tools and equipment and to implement safer, as well as more effective, procedures."

O'Lear pointed to the agenda of this years FDIC, April 26-May 1 in Indianapolis., Indiana.

"Take a look at the effort that goes into keeping the instruction as up-to-date as possible," he said. "Here's what conference officials explained months ago, during the planning stages: The Executive Advisory Board met in July to make conceptual recommendations for the 2004 program. Currently all 56 Board members are reviewing and rating classroom presentation proposals.

The technical, peer review process and work of the educational team members are critical to maintaining the high standards we've set for FDIC and that shows in the finished product. Although we maintain a core of HOT Evaluations that stress operational preparedness and competency, there are a few refinements to the HOT Evaluations program that bear mentioning.

"Many of the changes they listed go a long way toward proving that the profession has evolved dramatically and that training remains as much a key to safety as it is to proficiency.

"Here are a few examples of what has been added for this year's FDIC: expanded RIT Combat Drills and Survival in the Hot Zone class capacities, expanded Hot Zone curricula to include a biochem component; and an eight-hour workshop, Bombs and Buildings. (This class provides important technical information on the effect of explosives in the built environment, taking your terrorism preparedness level up a notch; a 16-hour, highly interactive course for responding to and managing large-scale emergencies of all kinds.)

"The message delivered by this curricular agenda is obvious," he declared. "Better trained means being better prepared to do the job, and to do it safely!"

Following are more new course samples from the 2004 FDIC schedule:

O'Lear took special note of another new conference component, identified by planners as "a fire/EMS conference within a conference." This two day symposium "addresses critical response and management issues in the dynamic area of fire-based emergency medically services," FDIC officials said. It was developed by the technical editors and advisors of fire EMS magazine, which recently was launched by Fire Engineering and has received wide acclaim.

"Obviously, there's no such thing as a complete guarantee of safety in this profession, but proper ongoing training definitely does provide greater safety," O'Lear said. "The instruction will change to meet new challenges, but its purposes always will remain the same.

"As the leading stories in this edition of Flashpoint show, our everyday work world can be extremely dangerous. We need all of the protection we can get, and a lot of that is gained through preparation."