Page 4 - Annual Report 2021

Page 4

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

In order to comply with the statutory mandate, the State Fire School established a goal “To provide Fire, Res-
cue, Emergency Care and related training to members of the fire community, industry, agencies, institutions
and the general public requiring specific programs and any program which will serve to benefit the safety of
the public.” The primary activities are consolidated into in-service fire department training courses, training
programs for state agencies, institutions and industrial facilities, public education programs, and emergency
care courses.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
In order to more effectively manage the State Fire School’s training and education program, services for specific
target audiences have been identified:
Program services for firefighters and fire officers

Program services for ambulance and rescue personnel

Program services for state agencies, institutions, industrial personnel and the general public.

An integral part of each program area is the technical services which include, but are not limited to, the prepara-
tion of instructional outlines, the preparation of student materials, the selection and development of visual aids
and training aids, the selection and development of instructional staff, the preparation and publication of infor-
mational bulletins, consultation services, emergency planning, etc.

QUALITY CONTROL

Since its inception in 1964, the State Fire School has been sensitive to the need for quality training and education
in the fire prevention and control effort and has been continually responsive to that need. As the demand for
programs and services increase, so does the need to select and qualify additional instructional personnel.

Strong emphasis is placed on improving the instructor development program for the part-time personnel.
Instructor candidates are trained in instructional methodology and then trained to teach specific subject areas.
Active instructors are cross-trained in high priority subject areas to help the school meet its program service de-
mands as well as improving the individual's professional ability. All instructors are required to attend improve-
ment seminars as scheduled by the Fire School in order to maintain their certification.

PLANNING AND EVALUATION

Continued emphasis is placed on planning and evaluation. Existing courses of instruction are reviewed and re-
vised, as necessary, to assure their content is current and consistent with new concepts and techniques. Careful
study is given to the need for additional courses. When a need is determined, the completion date for the devel-
opment of the course is established, the selection and training of instructors is considered, and the date for deliv-
ery of the new course is scheduled.

Regular staff meetings and yearly evaluation and planning meetings are scheduled to monitor the progress of the
tasks assigned during the planning session and to make any adjustments which may become necessary. These
efforts continue to produce positive results. In addition to conducting the normally scheduled activities and
meetings, honoring special requests for programs and services, progress continues to be made towards improv-
ing program quality. Emphasis on improving program management and monitoring cost analysis has improved
program quality and cost-effectiveness.