Indeed, one (Chief) went as far as to say that the only way to learn the business of a fireman was to go to fires - a statement about as monstrous and contrary to reason as if he had said that the only way to become a surgeon would be to commence cutting off limbs without any knowledge of anatomy or of the implements required."

 Sir Eyre Massey Shaw 1868

Make no mistakes about it. Safety is what CFBT is all about.

In the early days of this training, there were some people who were ignorant of the true nature of the strict procedures and the significant improvements in operational safety and efficiency that can be achieved. There are still a few detractors around, but their numbers are decreasing as the global adoption of these techniques result in positive benefits.

RAFFEL'S RULES FOR INSTRUCTOR COMPETENCE

There are a number of elements that are required to ensure that the actual training process is safe. These include, but are not limited to:

1. Instructor Training

This is arguably the single most important factor in ensuring safety during live fire training. It is impossible to engineer out all of the risks form a training prop.  A well trained Instructor will operate with in the Safety Procedures and will be able to adapt to variables that can occur during the training evolution. There have been some examples of "experts in the OH&S field" that have made recommendations to "dumb down" the training to the point where the fire load was reduced to a bail of hay. While this "slips and trips" approach may seem by some to increase safety, any practical person can see that this approach shows a lack of understanding or appreciation of the real risks faced by firefighters. Comprehensive training and independent instructor validation is the corner stone of safe training.

2. Instructor Attitude

There is no room for "macho", arrogant or gung-ho attitudes amongst Instructors. This type of behaviour is un-professional, dangerous and does nothing to build the confidence of the trainees. Good Instructors raise the bar gradually by giving the students tasks that are challenging and achievable. It should be remembered that it is very easy to criticize when you have had hours of planning and practice in a particular scenario. Don't forget that you were once the student. "Arrogance is too often accompanied by incompetence".

3. Risk Assessment

A thorough Hazop of the props and site should be conducted. This will form the basis for the Safety Procedures.

4. Safety Procedures

Safety procedures should be developed with broad research and consultation. They must be in writing and the Instructors should refuse to conduct any training which contradicts the written procedures. JSA's or HSA's are not substitutes for safety procedures. These tools that can assist experienced and knowledgeable trainers to identify hazards and risks which can then be used to develop the safety procedures.

5. An Open Mind
Beware of any group or person that thinks that they are the best, or know it all. True mastery is achieved by those who seek every opportunity to be the student. People like this are usually humble and do not need to go around telling everyone how good they are. "Egos eat Brains" Alan Brunacini. 

! Incompetent individuals tend to overestimate their own level of skill.

! Incompetent individuals fail to recognize genuine skill in others.

! Incompetent individuals fail to recognize the extremity of their inadequacy.

! If they can be trained to substantially improve their own skill level, these individuals can recognize and acknowledge their own previous lack of skill.

6. Current peer reviewed training material

The written material must be accurate and up to date. The Learning Outcomes must be clearly defined and the assessment process should be designed to test the students understanding. 

Recommended Reference Material

NFPA 1403

One principle reference source should be the NFPA Standard 1403 Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions. This document was developed as a result of firefighter deaths during training evolutions. it recognizes the ongoing need for live fire training and seeks to provide a framework for conducting training is a safe manner. This document is not written specifically with CFBT in mind, but the principles still apply.

Guidance and Compliance Framework for CFBT

This document was produced by the UK Home Office after extensive research and consultation. It provides a step by step guide on how to establish every aspect of the training process.

3D Fire Fighting

This book was published in 2005 and looks at all aspects of CFBT from the scientific background to the actual construction and operation of training units. It goes one step further and discusses the tactical implications and application of the knowledge and skills on the fireground.