Q&A with Lex de Man

Hi Lex, will be off line for your upcoming Q&A , a question i have had for some time now is when is training training? I have a view that every time i attend the fire Station and use any equipment it is training , even if it is as simple as cleaning equipment , it is all part of using the "gear " .In years gone by members would spend hours cleaning gear and would establish a great awareness of how it worked and were it was stowed on the appliance , after all the polishing and buffing we would then use the equipment for various drills and again clean and re stow the equipment , being familiar with the tools of our trade made for great expertise when under the "pump" members would know were every bit of equipment was and skills were honed . Then there was formal session were instruction was given by a member who was subject expert / formal qualified in the subject matter,this would be in a class room situation and be informative without hand's on , this session then would be followed by an instruction and demonstration of the subject with a hand's on training drills ., The subject may have been over several training sessions on Brigade training night's and Sudday morming at the Fire Station . Training materials were sourced from the CFA, I am sure that many members will remember the RED Training Manuals , these manuals covered nearly all aspects of CFA training in theory modules . We have moved into a new era with the internet and other forms of electronic gear , it would be interesting if the old idea of "The Red Modules " with current udating could be avaialble on the CFA Connect in a dedicated training section ,or the introduction of training up dates on "Memory Sticks " or what ever the new technology will be . It would seem the information flow should be as easy as a mouse click . This brings me back to my original point "when is training training " ? I see all aspects of CFA life as a training session , I would like see all attendance at the CFA sessions a learning curve and be able to have arecord of attendance recognised in some personal log/diary to recognise formal and informal training and drilling . It is my view formal theory sessions are training and very important in the learning process, we do drills and exercise in what we have learnt to enhance our skills to become better in the things we learn . WE never stop learning so we never stop training .Theory and drilling in all subjects need to be enhanced to have a sound skill base to work from .
I will look forward to catching up with the session when I an back on line , I wish you a great discussion....

Thanks for the question Kevin, we'll make sure this one is forwarded to Lex.

Questions can also be presubmitted through

onlineforum@cfa.vic.gov.au

- include your name/brigade if you'd like that published as well.