Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Dept.

Probationary Book

First, welcome to the Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department. This book you have been given is designed to guide you through the next six months of your career here and turn you into a Prince Frederick Firefighter. This book is designed to challenge your physical and mental abilities and it is up to you to work hard to complete the book.

You have been assigned to a senior firefighter/mentor of the department, these firefighters have proved themselves before in our department and are here to help you through the next six months. Anytime you wish to come spend time at the firehouse it will be expected of you to come in the door with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. Before you earn the privilege to hang out at the smoke and joke table you will be expected to have completed daily housework, checking of all water coolers on apparatus and have gone over each piece at least one time. At any time if the phone rings, you will be expected to get up and answer it properly. If you find senior members, working on anything in the firehouse it will be expected of you to ask them is there anything I can do to help.

Your Probationary book will be divided into phases, from general knowledge of our department and its members to an understanding of vehicle extrication. It is up to you to use all resources available to successfully complete this book. Each month your senior firefighter /mentor will review your progress with you and discuss anything that you have found to be difficult. Once a phase has been completed, it will be taken to an officer for their review.

Over the next 6 months it will be expected of you to continue to progress through this book. Once you have completed a phase you will be cleared on that respected piece of apparatus. Once you have a signature for each item listed, your book should be reviewed by any Line Officer for their final signature and they will officially clear you to ride.

When your six-month probation is up, it will be expected that this book be completed. If this book is not completed the membership will take action by extending your probation or potentially removing you from our roles. This book is a tool, use it and learn from it.

Again, Welcome to Prince Frederick.

Required Forms

The next several pages consist of required for that need to be completed prior to riding our apparatus. The forms should be completed neatly and correctly and turned into the fire chief upon completion. Any questions please see your mentor or an officer.

1.) PAT Tag Form

2.) Hep B Form

3.) Respiratory Medical Evaluation

4.) Computer Usage

5.) Request of Transcript (Only if you have previous experience)

6.) Personnel Information Card

7.) Sample Run Sheet (Review how to complete)

8.) Duty Report ( Review how to complete)

9.) Training Report (Review how to complete)

10.) Excusal Form (Review how to complete)

11.) Drivers Training Request Form

Phase 1: General Knowledge1) By name and rank, in order from highest to lowest ranking, list the suppression and

administrative officers of the department.

2) List below the phone number(s) to the department and briefly describe the proper way to answer the phone as a probationary firefighter.

3) List both the physical and mailing address of the department.

4) Describe briefly what a “Box Area” is and why does the fire department use them? How many does Prince Frederick have?

5) Describe the proper procedures to filing out a stand by sheet after an incident.

6) You have been issued a set of turn out gear; list all parts from head to toe.

7) Explain the difference between a roof, straight and extension ladder.

Practical Challenges: Must be signed off by a senior firefighter/officer.

1) Successfully demonstrate getting dressed out in less than 1 minute.

2) Successfully identify where ladders are stored on all apparatus.

3) Successfully demonstrating raising of a straight and extension ladder.

4) Identify booster, attack and supply lines and be able to explain when to use each

line.

Phase Two: Brush Trucks and Tanker1) What is the difference between an Area and Commercial Box Assignment? List

what units would be dispatched on both.

2) If a first due brush fire is dispatched, list the units that would respond in order.

3) When a first due medical is dispatched, describe when the brush truck will respond

and when the Engine Company will respond.

4) Describe what a fire line is and why we use them.

5) List the amount of water carried on Brush, Jeep, BX, and Tanker 2.

6) Explain the difference between mixed and straight fuel. What equipment on Brush,

Jeep and BX 2 uses mixed fuel? What uses straight gas?

7) Successfully explain how to change out an O2 bottle.

8) List all forcible entry tools carried on Brush 2.

9) Explain the difference between an inward and outward swinging door and how to

determine the difference.

Practical Challenges: Must be signed off by a senior Firefighter/Officer.

Initials Successfully demonstrate how to set up a fire line. Successfully demonstrate how to setup and take down a

folding tank from Tanker 2. Demonstrate how to find an address in both ADC and the

First Due Map Book. Successfully demonstrate an understanding of radio

terminology and operation. Be able to start and properly clean a chainsaw. (Including

how to put a new chain on) Using forcible entry prop, force the door both inward and

outward using Irons and Hydra Ram. Demonstrate knowledge of equipment locations on Brush,

BX, Jeep and Tanker 2

Final Company Officer Signature:

Date:

Phase Three: The Engine CompanyYour role on the Engine Company is very important; until you have

completed Firefighter 1, you will often be assigned to be the layout man. Once that

is task is completed you will make your way to the driver/operator and he will give

you some direction as to what you can do next. Always be looking for things that can

be done, ladders from Engine should be thrown, hose line can be pushed into the

front door and many more. Never run out of things to do.

1) What is the difference between a forward, reverse, and split lay? What is a relay and how is it different from a split lay?

2) What is the purpose of a Humat valve and when would we use it?

3) What is the difference between a Siamese and a gated “Y”? List where they are carried on the Engine Company.

4) List all attack lines by length and size from the shortest to the longest.

5) Explain the difference between the shoulder and dump load on an attack line.

6) Explain what a leader line is and when would we use it?

7) How long are the stand pipe racks? List two buildings in Prince Frederick we would use them at.

8) What two kinds of fire extinguishers are carried on the Engine Company? Describe a situation when each one would be used.

9) What two meters are carried on the Engine Company and what kind of gases do

they read?

Practical Challenges: Must be signed off by a senior Firefighter/Officer.

Initials Successfully demonstrate knowledge of equipment locations

on the Engine Company. Successfully demonstrate laying out the “4” inch supply

line. Successfully demonstrate hooking up Humat valve to

hydrant and opening the hydrant. Successfully demonstrate pulling front bumper line as the

lineman. Successfully demonstrate pulling a cross lay as the lineman. Successfully demonstrate pulling the 300-foot line as the

backup firefighter. Successfully demonstrate pulling the 400-foot line as the

backup firefighter. Successfully demonstrate how to hook up a stand pipe rack

and properly advance it.

Final Company Officer Signature:

Date:

Phase Four: The Tower CompanyWhen you are riding on the Tower, you will often be assigned to be the outside vent

man. This means your goal is to empty the bed or throw all of the ground ladders carried

on the Tower, assist driver/operator with setting up lights and ventilation and assisting

driver/operator with controlling utilities. The outside man is one of the hardest working

guys on the fire ground and you should never run out of things to do.

1) List all ground ladders carried on the Tower. Define if they are extension, straight

or a roof ladder.

2) Name four different types of hooks carried on the Tower and where are they

located.

3) Define what a Vent Enter Search is. What is a situation when we would use this

method?

4) If you are assigned to be the Outside Vent Man, list some of your duties on the fire

ground.

5) If the Tower is dispatched as the first due truck on a building fire where should the

Tower position and what is the crew responsible for?

6) Define the responsibilities of the “hook and can man”.

7) If you are assigned to go to the roof on a single-family dwelling fire, list the tools you

would bring with you and why?

8) Name a situation in which you would use each of the following saws: K12 Diamond

Tip, K12 Wood Blade, Chainsaw, and Cutters Edge.

9) What is an outrigger? How many does the Tower have?

10) Where can you find ladder belts? When should they be worn?

11) Where are the cordless power tools located? Where can you find spare batteries?

15) What is salvage and overhaul? When is this done on a fire?

16) What is a Wet-Vac? Where is it located and how do you use it properly?

17) Where are pigtails located and why are they carried?

18) Explain the difference between positive and negative ventilation.

Practical Challenges: Must be signed off by a senior Firefighter/Officer.

Initials

Successfully demonstrate knowledge of equipment locations on the Tower

Company.

Assist a Driver/Operator with setting up the Tower for master stream

operations.

Demonstrate an understanding of how to operate the Ariel ladder and Deck

gun.

Demonstrate how to use on board air system in the bucket.

Raise all ground ladders carried on Tower.

Successfully start and operate all saws.

Successfully change a blade on a K12 saw.

Demonstrate knowledge of how to setup lights, cord reels, and fans.

Demonstrate setting up positive and negative pressure ventilation.

With a partner, demonstrate knowledge of search and rescue procedures.

Demonstrate how to use a Thermal Imager

Final Company Officer Signature:

Date:

Phase Five: The Rescue Squad1) Please explain the difference between a Cutter, Spreader and a combination tool.

2) What are elevator keys? Where are they located?

3) Explain the difference between a high pressure and a low pressure air bag system.

4) What are some of the responsibilities of a Rescue Squad on a fire ground?

5) Explain what a tripod is? Do we carry one on the Squad? If so where is it located?

6) List all saws carried on the Rescue Squad.

7) List all items carried inside a chimney bucket.

8) What is a J- Bar? When is it used?

9) In the space below, illustrate a 4-door passenger vehicle, label all posts, and identify

where you would place step chocks.

10) What is a bottle jack? How many are carried on the squad and what ton?

11) Where is the come-o-long located? What is it used for?

12) What two types of struts are carried on the Squad? List a situation in which we

would use each one.

Practical Challenges: Must be signed off by a senior Firefighter/Officer.

Initials Successfully demonstrate knowledge of equipment locations on

the Rescue Squad. Successfully setup a Z-rig. Successfully demonstrate swapping hydraulic tools, and setup a

portable Hurst system. Demonstrate how to open an elevator using elevator keys. Successfully demonstrate an understanding of how to stabilize a

vehicle that is on its side, on its roof and on its tires. Demonstrate how to successfully extricate a victim from a vehicle. Demonstrate how to setup an air bag system. Demonstrate how to set up a box crib. Demonstrate the proper way to fill an SCBA cylinder.

Final Company Officer Signature:

Date:

Chief Officer Signature:

Date: