EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT

The Temple Terrace Fire Department Personnel Development Division is committed to incorporating the best instructional and training methods by using current fire service data, performance standards, and modern technology.  The Fire Department welcomes the challenges and opportunities of the future, while remaining steadfast to the traditions and wisdom of the past.

This Division manages the personnel educational programs for fire suppression, medical training, career and individual development, and various specialty certifications.  These programs range from State-mandated training in firefighting, rescue, hazardous materials, and incident command to all aspects of basic and advanced life support. In 2005, the Department provided 1,711 instructional hours, with 9,439.58 man-hours of training or an average of 14.65 hours per firefighter a month. A list of the classes taught during the year is detailed on the following pages.

During the 2005 year, the Department focused on training not only its firefighters, but also all City employees on the National Incident Management System. On February 28, 2003, President Bush issued Homeland Security Presidential Directive-5. HSPD-5 directed the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and administer a National Incident Management System (NIMS). NIMS provides a consistent nationwide template to enable all government, private-sector, and nongovernmental organizations to work together during domestic incidents.

TRAINING CLASSES
See upcoming training classes here.

RESERVE FIREFIGHTER PROGRAM
The Fire Department career personnel are supplemented by dedicated volunteers who are trained in fire suppression and medical services. The volunteers comprise the Reserve Firefighter Program.

The Reserve Firefighter Program ended the year with an active roster of nine firefighters. Throughout most of 2005, the Reserve Program was continuing through a transition. At the end of 2003, the program required the Reserve Firefighters to put in a minimum of 20 hours of shift work each month. In addition, the reserves are required to attend 50% of the Department’s Reserve training classes. All reserves are required to be certified or currently attending class as Emergency Medical Technicians and/or State Volunteer Firefighters prior to working on a shift.