While I am a huge fan of simulation training, I do not like the highly standardized approach that is currently being used by many training centers. You may ask, isn't it good that organizations are using it at all? Sure, it’s a great start to incorporate simulation training. However, using the training in a limited or singular way, having one or two basic scenarios or not changing variables, can be counterproductive. Such singular thinking can create firefighters who think like robots rather than firefighters who use tactical decision-making (TDM), which is what is required in dynamic and dangerous situations.
Train the brain
With overall fire numbers down, it is critical to engage and train the brain. It is inadequate training to mentally prepare the troops for a single scenario with no variables and, more importantly, no accounting for the stress of the situation. Quite simply, if you do not introduce stress into the training platform, you are exercising that muscle, but you are not growing it.
First things first: What is dynamic training? Dynamic (simulation) training enables the users, in a controlled setting, to assess a multitude of issues, determine their priority, and assign tasks based on priority and available staffing. This is in contrast to static training, which is based on a limited scenario that does not offer ever-changing variables based on the actions or inactions of the overall incident commander and individual role players. Static simulations are good for an introductory level but should not be used as the primary or sole simulation platform. To be truly effective in training the brain and building TDM, your simulation platform must be dynamic, flexible, powerful and adaptable.
In addition to dynamic simulation training, it is imperative that groups regularly run mental scenarios. For example, pick a building in your first-due area, then start with the size-up to address potential variables based on an actual event. As you progress through those, begin to develop your tactical plan, and then throw in additional and more unusual variables. Working these mental scenarios forces the brain to consider a situation, determine best course of action, and allow for thoughtful reassessment and improvement. But don’t fall into the trap of doing the same thing the same way every single time; if you do, you’re training to be a robot. Instead, address a variety of variables, teach yourself to improvise, adapt and overcome. If you can combine your mental scenarios with dynamic simulation training, that is outstanding.
Why am I so passionate about this? These techniques are rooted in science. In short, when you recognize what has happened, your brain will pick up on cues and indicators of recognizable patterns (e.g., fire behavior, smoke color, density, volume). Based on these cues, you then choose a course of action (an “action script,” if you will—360, counteract, run, etc.) to achieve a desired outcome. But please understand that your action script should not be a rigid process; you must be flexible and adaptive in your selected action.
So how do you develop your mental models/scripts? The best mental models are developed through effective experience, and you gain that experience by training on the techniques using the drill ground, dynamic simulations, running mental scenarios and, finally, by drilling those techniques under stress.
The key to exceptional real-time performance when confronted with real consequences (e.g., being injured or worse) is properly designed stress training delivered by quality instructors. If you do NOT perform under stress, your brain WILL NOT store (record) the information as a “retrievable” item when you are confronted with a stressful situation. This is why you cannot learn to perform under stress from a book, a DVD, etc. Our brains simply do not work that way.
My best advice is to develop a plan, throw every disastrous scenario at it, create a new plan for each of those, and then run them as real scenarios. The best way to stay safe is to prepare for everything, but never assume it will look the same way twice.
In sum
If you train like a robot, you will respond like a robot. It’s far better to address every threat until you train to perform like a warrior. That is why you should train to not always fight every fire the same way. As the late Tom Brennan would say, “You can go to one fire 20 times or 20 fires one time.”
