Table of Contents
Introduction Section - 1
Probationary Training Phases Section - 2
Target Hazards Section - 3
Policy Review Section - 4
Communities and Addressing Section - 5
Tribal Government Section - 6
Evaluations Section - 7
Department Forms Section - 8
Firefighter-1 Workbook Section - 9
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the White Mountain Apache Fire & Rescue Department, herein the WMAF&R. You have shown that you have what it takes to be a member of this department, however nothing is owed to you by this organization or the Tribe. All you have shown is that you fit. Although a shoe may fit, it may still cause pain and discomfort when you wear it. Therefore, your fit must match this organization.
To ensure a proper fit with the organization, you will be serving a minimum of a 12 month probationary period. The purpose of the probationary period is to provide you, the new employee, and the WMAFR, a way to evaluate the suitability of your employment. Basically, to ensure your attitude, beliefs and values match that of the organizations, and you understand how we work and why we do the things we do. Without this, there is no alignment of values and beliefs, and you as a firefighter will do things not for the organization and our customers, but for yourself, which will ultimately affect others and the people we serve. Granted, there are things you will do that benefit yourself, such as attending training or college classes to advance yourself, but understand by doing that you are also helping to better serve our citizens and make positive changes in our organization.
During your probationary period you will have to show that you want to belong. Even when you have completed your probationary period, nothing is still owed to you. You must remember that we hired YOU because we feel that you can help this organization provide the necessary service to the community. Therefore, you will have to continue to want to belong and be the best firefighter possible. The probationary period is designed to lay down a solid foundation for the rest of your career.
To successfully complete your probationary period, you will be expected to perform a number of assignments and rotate among our three (3) fire stations or districts, and complete your Position Qualification Workbook (PQW). These rotations are called “Phases”. Let’s first example the PQW.
The PQW is a written record of the minimum required training and experience necessary to achieve a specific position or rank. Each workbook, which you will be assigned, will assist you by serving as a road map to guide you through the specific skills you must perform and the training you must complete in order to be certified for the position you are in. Completion of the entire workbook will ensure that you have been evaluated in the critical tasks necessary to safely and adequately function in that position. Your supervisor will sign you off on task you have shown to be proficient and safety conscious on.
The assignments in the probationary period are designed so you know our history and government, our policies, our buildings and infrastructures, and the way we do things around here, such as how to catch a hydrant or your assignments on the engine. Even if you have been a part-time member, you are still required to complete this process.
During your probationary period, you will serve a minimum of four (4) months at each district – Whiteriver, Cibecue and Hon-Dah. This is the foundation of the “Phase”. The district rotation is designed so you learn the geography and community, the various regional cultures and the various fire station environments and its members. Each community we serve is different, as such the culture will defer both inside and outside the fire station. A good firefighter is a well rounded firefighter with knowledge of all aspects of our department and the community. In addition, you get to meet all our members, strengthening the family concept, and gaining experience from each district.
During each phase, or district rotation, you will be tasked with specific areas of study that you will be tested on at the end of the four month period. In order to move into the next phase of the training you must pass a series of tests intended to determine if you have mastered the information and skills you have been tasked with learning. The test will be comprised of a written and skill evaluation.
Written test will be comprised of multiple choice and/or fill in the blank. Skill evaluations will be based on department SOP and/or Firefighter I and II and NREMT skill sheets.
Initial phase testing will be accomplished while you are on shift. If you fail any portion of the test you will be given one additional opportunity to pass the test. Second tries at the test will be done on your off duty time and without pay. Second tries must also be accomplished within a reasonable time period and scheduling will be at the convenience off the training officer.
One you have successfully completed your PQW and all three (3) phases, we will review and evaluate your documentation and may test you one last time to ensure you are ready to be sworn in as a WMAF&R Firefighter.
This final test may include anything you have learned throughout your probationary period, including items from your PQW. Similar to phase testing, you will be given one additional opportunity to pass the final test. Again, the first test will be conducted while you are on duty. Retries will be on your own time without pay and at the training officer’s convenience.
If you fail any of the phase tests or the final test a second time you will be considered to have failed your probationary period and your employment with WMF&R may end.
Please remember that every member of this organization is dedicated to helping you succeed. However, your success is dependent upon your level of dedication and motivation. This year will be challenging, but you will be successful if you work hard.
Here are a few pointers and some examples that will help you become successful during your probationary year:
ü Work hard to earn the respect of your fellow firefighters, officers and community members.
o Always have a smile on your face, regardless of your personal life. In an emergency situation, the victim(s) could care less if you are having difficulty at home. Your demeanor at the scene may well in fact upset someone.
o Be the first to work, and the last to leave. If you are on time, you are late.
o Don’t whine about anything. If you are whining, you are not trying.
o Accept the most tedious jobs as an honor to build character and earn respect.
o Listen tentatively to others, even if you know the answer. Listening is a skill we all lack. Now is the time to learn it.
o Do things without being told. If you don’t have anything to do, find something or ask. There is always something to do.
o Ask if you don’t know.
ü Wear your uniform with pride and dignity. First impressions are lasting impressions.
o Shine your boots.
o Tuck in your shirt.
o Wear approved apparel only.
ü Follow and adhere to your policies. This is the way we do things here.
o Don’t let people tell you “this is way we do it here.”
ü Treat others as how you would want to be treated.
o Don’t talk negatively about anybody.
o If you must talk about someone not present, only say positive things.
o Kill with kindness, those who may not like you.
ü Conduct yourself both on and off duty in a manner that brings credit to your self, the organization and the fire service community.
o Obey the law.
o Say hello to people.
ü Stay physically and mentally in shape; your job depends on it.
o Study during your down time.
o Exercise daily. Stay in top physical shape. If you aren’t in shape, get in shape.
o Be fully rested each time you come to work.
ü Set the example as the IDEAL FIREFIGHTER to every member of the organization. Change begins not with the chief’s, but with the firefighters.
PROBATIONARY TRAINING PHASES
Your probationary period begins the first day on the job as a full-time WMA Fire & Rescue employee. You will be assigned to a shift for the next four (4) months. Objectives you will need to complete by the end of your probationary period are:
Ø Learn the infrastructures of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.
Ø Know the Fire Department’s Standard Operating Procedures and Tribal policies.
Ø Know what each fire department form is and how to properly fill them out.
Ø Learn your assignments and duties on the truck and within the fire station.
Ø Learn about the Tribal Government and its history.
Ø Learn about the history of the WMA Fire & Rescue.
Ø Improve your skill level to obtain the following (as a minimum):
o Rope Rescue I, II and III
o Emergency Vehicle Driving
o Confined Space Awareness
Ø Understand the laws that govern the way we do things (e.g. OSHA, NFPA, etc.)
Ø Develop a personal exercise routine to help you get in shape and to pass our quarterly physical ability tests.
Ø Complete your Position Qualification Workbook for Firefighter I.
As stated before, you are required to rotate among the three (3) districts for a period of four (4) months. For each district tour, you should plan on completing each phase. Course offering for Rope Rescue, Confined Space, etc. may occur during any portion of your probationary period (funding permitted). It will be your responsibility to ensure attendance in these course offerings.
PHASE-1
Phase-1 will focus on the following training objectives:
Station Specific Information
Information that is relevant to the specific station area you are assigned to during this phase of your training which will include.
Ø Geography
o Address system and names
o Housing/community nicknames (e.g. “China Town”, “Cradleboard”, etc.)
Ø Political representatives
o Tribal Leaders (e.g. Council, Chairman, etc.)
Ø Target hazards
Ø Apparatus and equipment
Firefighter-I Work Book
Tasks listed in specific areas of the Firefighter-I Workbook which will include.
1. Communications
a. Emphasized Skills
i. Radio Communications
ii. May Day Communications
iii. Telephone Etiquette
iv. Visitor Etiquette
2. Fire Ground Operations
a. Minimum Company Standards (can be found on-line)
i. Position Roles/Responsibilities
b. Emphasized Skills
i. OSHA 2 In/2 Out
ii. Taking a Hydrant
iii. Laddering a building
iv. Horizontal ventilation (PPV)
v. Fighting a vehicle fire
vi. Utilization of salvage tarps
vii. Setting up for IRIC/RIC operations
viii. Pulling pre-connected hand lines
3. Reserved
Policy Orientation
Worksheets that must be completed and reviewed with your Captain for the follow policies:
Ø All 100 Series policies available on the department website.
Phase-1 Testing
At the end of the phase the probationary firefighter will be tested on the following information and skills:
1. Knowledge of the station area geography and target hazards.
2. Knowledge of who the political representatives are for the station area, and surrounding communities.
3. Knowledge of policies included in the 100 series.
4. A practical demonstration that shows mastery of station and apparatus equipment location.
5. A practical demonstration which shows mastery of station and apparatus equipment use.
6. A practical demonstration of skills covered in the communications and fire ground operations section of the Firefighter –I Work Book.
PHASE-2
Phase-2 will focus on the following training objectives:
Station Specific Information
Information that is relevant to the specific station area you are assigned to during this phase of your training which will include.
Ø Geography
o Address system and names
o Housing/community nicknames (e.g. “China Town”, “Cradleboard”, etc.)
Ø Political representatives
o Tribal Leaders (e.g. Council, Chairman, etc.)
Ø Target hazards
Ø Apparatus and equipment
Firefighter-I Work Book
Tasks listed in specific areas of the Firefighter-I Workbook which will include.
1. Fire Ground Operations
a. Minimum Company Standards (can be found on-line)
i. Position Roles/Responsibilities
2. EMS Operations
a. Emphasized Skills
i. HIPPA
ii. Exposure Control Plan
iii. Taking manual vital signs
iv. Spinal immobilization (seated or supine)
v. Bag valve mask operation
vi. Airway Management
vii. Splinting
viii. AED and Cardiac Arrest management
3. Rescue Operations
a. Emphasized Skills
i. OSHA Lock Out/Tag Out
ii. Setting up the extrication tools
iii. Setting up air bags
iv. Setting up the generator reciprocating saw
v. Vehicle Stabilization
4. Reserved
Policy Orientation
Worksheets that must be completed and reviewed with your Captain for the follow policies:
Ø All 200 and 400 policy series accessible on the department website.
Phase-2 Testing
At the end of the phase the probationary firefighter will be tested on the following information and skills:
1. Knowledge of the station area geography and target hazards.
2. Knowledge of who the political representatives are for the station area, and surrounding communities.
3. Knowledge of policies included in the 200 and 400 series.
4. A practical demonstration showing mastery of station and apparatus equipment location.
5. A practical demonstration which showing mastery of station and apparatus equipment use.
6. A practical demonstration of skills covered in the EMS operations and Rescue Operations section of the Firefighter –I Work Book.
PHASE-3
Phase-3 will focus the following training objectives:
Station Specific Information
Information that is relevant to the specific station area you are assigned to during this phase of your training which will include.
Ø Geography
o Address system and names
o Housing/community nicknames (e.g. “China Town”, “Cradleboard”, etc.)
Ø Political representatives
o Tribal Leaders (e.g. Council, Chairman, etc.)