REGIONAL TRAINING ADVISORS Here you can find information about our Regional Training Advisors program and activities.

OVERVIEW on REGIONAL TRAINING ADVISORS [RTAs]

1) First and foremost, over-riding concern for Public Safety

Public Safety is the over-riding priority with all work done by COFT. Having adequate apparatus, equipment, and operating funds is essential.  But, the lack of appropriate training also impacts the amount of protection provided.

Training is the best way to assure Oklahoma’s firefighters are well-prepared to protect our citizens and communities, when coupled with sufficient apparatus, equipment, and operating funds.

Firefighting is extremely dangerous work. Firefighters put their lives on the line every time they respond to a call. Firefighter training is also crucial in minimizing firefighter deaths and injuries.

Having COFT’s Regional Training Advisors out in the field to interact directly with the departments is an important element of knowing what firefighter training needs actually are across the many fire departments that serve our state.

2) Establishing priorities for firefighter training need

Because there is a finite amount of funding currently available for firefighter training, it becomes necessary to determine priorities for the monies that are available.

Having RTAs who will spend time with fire departments specifically on training needs helps reveal what the top priorities should be to work steadily towards the optimal level of training. Evaluation done by 2006 Training Task Force revealed that this is best done by a non-training provider, which was also supported by the 2007 group. The Oklahoma Legislature also legally assigned the responsibility of identifying firefighter training needs and goals to COFT.

3) Communicating with departments about firefighter training  programs

The majority of Oklahoma’s fire departments are volunteer departments which often do not have traditional administrative offices and staff members. Therefore, knowing about existing programs that can support firefighter training is a challenge recognized by the 2006 Training Task Force which focused on rural departments with volunteer firefighters. The 2007 Training Task Force working on training needs for career firefighters also indicated that larger departments need better avenues for information transfer in relation to firefighter training and curriculum.

Currently, there are existing programs that would encourage volunteer firefighters to take training. Many fire departments are not yet participating in incentive programs that would greatly help their firefighters and, ultimately, their communities. Having RTAs out in the field is an excellent means by which more information can be shared.

Many times, departments have not been aware of training being offered nearby. Consequently, members of their departments have not been able to avail themselves of these opportunities. This is important because volunteer firefighters must juggle their own work hours and other commitments to “squeeze in” training.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

• Attend county meetings, pipeline safety sessions, similar meetings in assigned area as COFT’s local representative 
• Attend regional/state key events such as annual Fire Service Instructors Conference, Volunteer Firefighter Caucus, Oklahoma Fire Chief’s Conference, etc. taking turns working at the COFT table 
• When possible, make presentations about the importance of training along with COFT’s programs to meet legislated responsibilities 
• Call and/or visit individual departments to collect information on firefighter training needs and share details on incentive programs 
• Interview individual departments to complete surveys on training needs
• Interact with various training providers that offer training in the area both to gather information on classes and to pass on needs
• Collect information on training being offered and turn it in for COFT’s online calendar
• Provide guidance on training when fire chiefs/training officers ask and other appropriate assistance on training as situations suggest
• Keep current on the various activity sheets and other record-keeping