NOTES ON USING THESE SKILL SHEET

NOTES ON USING THESE SKILL SHEETS

Purpose of the Skill Sheets

The Tennessee Commission on Fire Fighting Personnel Standards and Education has developed these skill sheets as the basis for the Fire Fighter I and Fire Fighter II practical examinations. Consolidating the relevant skill sheets into a station will ensure that random selection from each station will provide the applicant with a cross-section and varied practical examination. The Commission Office will select five (5) skill sheets at random, some from each station, for each level for applicants to perform in accordance with Commission Policy.

Safety

Safety of the candidates and evaluators is the top priority. If the Field Representative or an Evaluator sees something that causes a safety concern, he/she must intervene immediately to stop the practice. The safety of all participants takes precedence over all other matters.

Use of these Skill Sheets

1. Each Fire Department has been provided a copy of these skill sheets. It is the fire department’s responsibility to ensure its applicants are aware of the requirements of the skill sheets as this is from what the practical examination shall be drawn.

2. All training for these skill sheets must be accomplished prior to the scheduling and challenging of the practical examination. By submitting an Application for Practical Examination, the applicant and the fire department are certifying to the Commission that the candidate has been trained according to NFPA Standards. NO INSTRUCTION WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE PRACTICAL EXAMINATION.

3. The Field Representative will be in charge of the format the practical examination will consist. The lead evaluator will provide the candidate his/her instructions for the skill sheet being completed.

Grading Criteria and Critical Points

1. Every skill sheet includes a statement “Grading Criteria”. This statement designates

those items, or the specific percentage of items that must be complete to pass that particular skill sheet. If that criteria is not reached the applicant fails that skill sheet.

2. There are a number of skill sheets that require the demonstration of firefighting

skills with regards to specific fire scenarios. Some of these skills can be accomplished through “simulated” fire scenarios. In those instances the skill sheet specifically describes that these simulated conditions are allowed.

3. Regardless of the skill sheets used, the following are considered “critical points” and failure to perform them properly will result in failure of that skill sheet:

a. Using proper safety techniques in all evolutions

b. Using proper body substance isolation precautions

c. Completing the individual elements of a skill in the proper order

d. Exceeding any limitations such as time, safety, or equipment limitations

e. Lack smoothness and accuracy

f. Poor judgement in performing the skill

g. Not being the “master” of the task

h. Outcome of the task in doubt

i. Evaluator must intervene

Artificialities of Training and Testing

Testing in firefighting can only approximate the real world activities of the firefighter. There are certain artificialities to testing, which must be (and usually are) understood by both the evaluator and the student. For example, in the testing phases of firefighting general impressions must be verbalized to the evaluator. Clearly, in the field setting, this impression would not be verbalized at the incident.

Evaluation

A Field Representative of the Tennessee Commission on Fire Fighting Personnel Standards and Education will conduct the practical examination and is in charge of the examination. The Field Representative will be responsible for coordinating the other evaluators, the preparation of the testing site (in conjunction with the host facility), and the process and procedures used during the testing. Evaluators approved by the Commission who have completed the required training will verify the completion of testing skills based upon the grading criteria of each skill sheet. The Field Representatives and Evaluators are required to perform their duties as outlined by the Commission.

Additional Notes

1. For many of the skill stations full turn out gear is required to perform the task. The

evaluator may require that the candidate also perform the skill while wearing SCBA. In these cases the evaluator may decide whether the candidate will be actually breathing air from the bottle or just wearing the SCBA while not using the mask. Because of the increased difficulty in evaluation and servicing the equipment after each skill, this option is left to the evaluator. Evaluators are cautioned though to adequately test each applicant in as realistic conditions as possible.

2. When performing a certain skill the firefighter might also have to perform another

firefighter task not directly related to that specific station being tested. In this case it is expected that the firefighter perform these skills correctly and at the appropriate level.

3. Skills must be performed in a certain length of time. The evaluator may use

a digital or analog watch to time these skills.

4. Many skills require that equipment be prepared or assembled. Unless the context

indicates otherwise, it is permissible to prepare or assemble the required equipment or a device at any time, as long as it does not interfere with skill, task or evolution. The student should know how to prepare or assemble all equipment.

5. Firefighters should not only practice a skill under optimum conditions, but should also practice in more difficult and realistic circumstances as competence increases. Also, it is particularly important to be able to identify and respond rapidly and correctly to

equipment malfunctions, improper use of equipment. If during a skill, a team or candidate begins to use a piece of equipment incorrectly, but quickly makes the necessary correction during the evolution, the evaluator may give the candidate credit for correctly completing the task.

6. While performing a skill, task, or evolution, the exact order of the steps (as outlined on

the skill sheet) is not critical, unless the steps and order performed are critical to the particular skill. For example, a person must put on turn out clothing before donning a SCBA.

7. Many of the skill sheets involve skills that must be performed as a team. Evaluators are cautioned that while evaluating these scenarios each member of the team is evaluated

performing each task. This may mean that the task or skill be repeated. Evaluators must also be aware of team members that may be “carrying” other team members through the skill or task.

8. In a few skill sheets, the firefighter may be asked to verbalize information about a particular task or procedure. In such cases the evaluator must ask questions specifically related to the task or procedure at hand, and must not extend into other areas beyond that being tested. Additionally the questions must be at the appropriate level.

Special Note regarding vehicle extrication skills

The Tennessee Commission on Fire Fighting Personnel Standards and Education recognizes the importance of practicals to show how fire personnel can perform skills and demonstrate their knowledge. The Commission also recognizes in order to perform some of the extrication skills, it would require the candidate to perform a complete and detailed extrication , just to show one skill or task. The Commission recognizes that there are steps or procedures omitted to aid in preventing lengthy skill evolutions and we, the Fire Commission, do not want the skill evaluation sheets to become the adopted manner in which to perform extrication.

Acknowledgements

The Tennessee Commission on Fire Fighting Personnel Standards and Education would like to acknowledge the assistance of the State of Washington, the State of Alaska and the State of Kentucky Fire Fighting Commissions in preparing this skill sheet packet. Without the assistance of these three agencies this document would not have been possible.