HomeMy WebLinkAbout501.003 - Trainee Grading and EvaluationEffective Date: March 2016 Manuel Graves, Civilian Training Officer
Current Revision Date: 11/30/2023 Section 501.003
Next Revision (1) Date: 11/30/2025 Page 1 of 6
500 Firefighter Trainee Manual
SECTION 501.003 TRAINEE GRADING AND EVALUATION
PURPOSE
This policy outlines firefighter trainee grading and evaluation criteria which will be used
during their time in the Fire Academy.
APPLICATION
This policy will be utilized during the Fire Academy for the purpose of grading and
evaluating firefighter trainees on their academics and performance.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
Grading consists of four different criteria: Academics, National Registry Emergency
Medical Technician and/or Paramedic, manipulative skills, and the Fresno Fire
Department’s (FFD or Department)) core values. Each must be passed to
successfully complete the Fire Academy.
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
Academics:
Academics are evaluated by written, verbal, or online quizzes and exams. All quizzes
or exams require a minimum standard of 80%. Each academic score is carried over
as a running percentage. A firefighter trainee is required to achieve a cumulative
average of 80% to successfully pass the academic portion of the academy. If the
firefighter trainee reaches a point where it is no longer mathematically possible to
achieve a cumulative score of 80%, the firefighter trainee will be dismissed from the
academy. Dismissal from the academy is termination from employment with the City
of Fresno.
Quizzes and exams are equal in value; 100 percentage points. A quiz typically has
fewer questions and includes material covered from a previous quiz or exam. You
may see questions from the previous quizzes or exams with each new quiz or exam.
An exam is comprehensive and can include material from any topic already covered,
tested or not.
Fresno City Fire Department
Effective Date: March 2016 Manuel Graves, Civilian Training Officer
Current Revision Date: 11/30/2023 Section 501.003
Next Revision (1) Date: 11/30/2025 Page 2 of 6
National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and/or Paramedic Course:
If a department sponsored EMT or Paramedic course is a requirement of the
academy, the firefighter trainee is expected to meet the minimum skills and academic
requirements for that course. Failure to meet the requirements set in the course is
grounds for dismissal from the academy. Dismissal from the academy is termination
from employment with the City of Fresno. The final grade is pass or fail. This score
will not be combined with the academic section.
Manipulative Skills:
Manipulative skills are the ability to perform basic fire ground/emergency scene,
manipulative skills, and evolutions alone and/or as part of a team.
1. Manipulative skills are graded strictly as a pass or fail with each
manipulative test requiring a designation of “passing” before the
firefighter trainee can move on to more complicated skills. Individual
performance should be evaluated through the use of skill sheets.
Firefighter trainees are re-given access to required skill sheets
on or before the date of instruction. Most skill sheets consist of
Fresno Fire Department Individual Performance Evolutions (IPEs),
Fresno County EMS protocols, California Specialized Training Institute
Hazardous Materials First Responder Operational (FRO) skills, and the
State Fire Marshall’s Office, State Fire Training (SFT), Fire Fighter I and
II skill sheets.
Manipulative skills first test/retest and second test/retest procedures are consistent
with State Fire Training (SFT) certification training standards included in Fire Fighter I
(2019) and Fire Fighter II (2019) curriculum. This curriculum is based on National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) 1001 standard for Fire Fighter Professional
Qualifications (2019), NFPA 1051 Standard for Wildland Fire Fighter Professional
Qualifications (2020), FFD Individual Performance Evolutions, and the knowledge,
skills, and abilities (KSAs) identified as required to do the job by the October 2014
Fresno Fire Department job analysis validated by CPSHR.
Effective Date: March 2016 Manuel Graves, Civilian Training Officer
Current Revision Date: 11/30/2023 Section 501.003
Next Revision (1) Date: 11/30/2025 Page 3 of 6
FFD Core Values:
When we embody FFD core values, we align it with an organizational identity
that provides focus and enables us to sharpen our skills as individuals and as a Fire
Department. A firefighter trainee who demonstrates a pattern or a single significant
event that is inconsistent with FFD core values is to receive corrective action up to
and including dismissal from the academy.
Effective Date: March 2016 Manuel Graves, Civilian Training Officer
Current Revision Date: 11/30/2023 Section 501.003
Next Revision (1) Date: 11/30/2025 Page 4 of 6
Below are examples of how firefighter trainees can use FFD core values in everyday
decision making. These examples are not meant to be all inclusive, but to assist in
understanding FFD expectations.
Teamwork:
• Train for excellence:
o A firefighter trainee should be prepared, both physically and mentally,
for learning in both the classroom and on the drill yard. He or she should
be motivated to work, actively participate, and be adaptable to change.
• Leave it better than you found it:
o Take initiative to constantly improve the state of the Department.
• Everyone goes home safe:
o Having an understanding of the scope of the duties as a firefighter is
paramount in maintaining your safety. It is the responsibility of everyone
to recognize safety hazards and take action to prevent injury to you, other
members, and the public.
Trust:
• Treat others the way we want to be treated:
o Show respect for yourself, other members, and the public. Physical
hazing and/or initiations are strictly prohibited. There is zero tolerance for
acts that are dangerous, lewd, or illegal.
• Do the right thing:
o Demonstrate integrity in your daily activities. Adhere to the Rules and
Regulations.
• Walk the talk:
o Ensure your work is complete, quality in nature, and accurately
performed.
Commitment:
• United in our mission:
Effective Date: March 2016 Manuel Graves, Civilian Training Officer
Current Revision Date: 11/30/2023 Section 501.003
Next Revision (1) Date: 11/30/2025 Page 5 of 6
o To protect and put service above all else.
• Everyone plays a role:
o Accept responsibility for assignments and follow through in a timely,
effective, efficient, and appropriate manner.
• Our work represents us:
o Maintain a neat, clean, appropriate uniform; and comply with grooming
standards. Timely attendance is critical. You represent everyone who
wears the uniform.
Evaluation Reports:
Evaluation reports are provided to all firefighter trainees on a regular basis to
provide consistent and standardized feedback on performance. Evaluation reports
are separated into three types of reports:
1. Firefighter Trainee Incident Report (FD-94):
Given immediately after an incident occurs which violates safety rules
or protocols (i.e., failure to wear protective equipment, not securing
ladder for other personnel while climbing, etc.) or violates critical
components of Department policy or procedures (i.e., exhibiting
behavior that could be construed as sexual harassment, overtly
threatening, inappropriate language around academy support staff or
the public).
2. End of Week Report (FD-95):
At the end of each day of instruction, instructors document their
observations of each firefighter trainee’s performance using a daily
observation report. At the end of the week, instructors compile the
daily observation reports into a single report and provide the
Firefighter T rainee and T raining Chief an outline of performance
during the previous week. Documentation of any significant events
such as discipline, critical incident reports, and/or test results are also
provided. In the event circumstances of the academy and
Department prevent the End of Week Report from being issued,
it will be given the following day of class.
3. Academy Summary of Performance Report (FD-96):
Effective Date: March 2016 Manuel Graves, Civilian Training Officer
Current Revision Date: 11/30/2023 Section 501.003
Next Revision (1) Date: 11/30/2025 Page 6 of 6
Provides an overall profile of the firefighter trainee’s performance
and allows academy staff to double check whether the firefighter
trainee has satisfied all categories of testing and evaluation. The
report is to be used as a guide to further the development of the
firefighter trainee and is to be issued at the end of the academy.
PROCESS
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INFORMATION
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DEFINITIONS
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CROSS REFERENCES
Firefighter Trainee Manual
Section 501.003a, Firefighter Trainee Incident Report (FD-94)
Section 501.003b, End of Week Report (FD-95)
Section 501.003c, Summary of Performance Report (FD-96)
Office of the State Fire Marshal State Fire Training
Fire Fighter 1 2019
Fire Fighter 2 2019