HomeMy WebLinkAbout501.008 - ProbationEffective Date: April 2015 Michael Gilbert, Battalion Chief
Current Revision Date: 02/01/2023 Section 501.008
Next Revision (1) Date: 02/01/2025 Page 1 of 3
Fresno City Fire Department
500 Firefighter Trainee Manual
SECTION 501.008 PROBATION
PURPOSE
This policy outlines the expectations of a probationary firefighter upon promotion from
firefighter trainee to firefighter with the Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department).
APPLICATION
These expectations are to be utilized during the firefighter’s probationary period.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
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OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
Upon successful completion of the academy, firefighter trainees should be
recommended for promotion. The rules of the job classification for firefighter trainee
govern the promotion process from firefighter trainee to firefighter.
The probationary period for firefighter is twelve (12) months. The probation period
requires twelve (12) monthly evaluations plus one to make up for any leave taken, for
a total of thirteen (13). If no leave is taken, only twelve evaluations are required.
Like firefighters of all ranks, continued education and training is required. The
following is a list of what is expected of a probationary firefighter:
1. Department-assigned training.
a. Meet completion dates.
b. Completions reflected on evaluations.
2. Multi-Company drills.
a. Attend as part of a crew.
b. Monthly training calendar.
Effective Date: April 2015 Michael Gilbert, Battalion Chief
Current Revision Date: 02/01/2023 Section 501.008
Next Revision (1) Date: 02/01/2025 Page 2 of 3
3. Probationary Firefighter Task Book.
a. Reviewed at five (5) month exam (goal is approximately 50%, or
more completed).
b. Due at or before eleven (11) month exam.
4. Five (5) and Eleven (11) month exam.
a. Written.
b. Manipulative skills.
5. Monthly evaluations.
a. Twelve (12) if no leave is taken.
b. Thirteen (13) if leave is taken.
6. Academy-style delivery: Training Chief’s discretion based on traditional or
condensed academy deliveries.
a. Meet the needs of the Department.
b. Held on shift schedule.
c. Overtime provided if scheduled off shift.
At the Training Chief’s discretion, probationary firefighters may be required to attend
trainings hosted or coordinated by the Training Division. Training is held on an as-
needed basis to cover materials that are best delivered in an academy-style classroom
setting and to evaluate skills. Announcements for training are found in the monthly
training calendar. If conflicts exist, notify the Training Division through proper
channels.
Task Book:
As a condition of employment, the probationary firefighter will be required to complete
a Probationary Firefighter Task Book, which documents competency. It’s designed to
cover Fresno Fire Department standards, Office of the State Fire Marshal State Fire
Training (SFT) Fire Fighter I (FFI), and Fire Fighter II (FFII) requirements.
Probationary firefighters receive a task book after graduation and it’s their
responsibility to complete it while on probation. Skills are verified by a company officer
who is qualified to evaluate and verify skills. Probationary firefighters cannot verify
the skills of another probationary firefighter. Any member who verifies the skills are
required to complete an evaluator signature form, issued with the task book.
Effective Date: April 2015 Michael Gilbert, Battalion Chief
Current Revision Date: 02/01/2023 Section 501.008
Next Revision (1) Date: 02/01/2025 Page 3 of 3
In the event a probationary firefighter has trouble completing the task book, he/she
may contact the Training Division for assistance. Do not wait until the end of probation
to ask for assistance as the tasks takes time to complete; good time management is
necessary. Task books will be collected, evaluated, and returned at the five (5)
month exam. Task books should be near 50% complete or better when evaluated at
the five (5) month exam. If task books are 100% complete it may be turned in. Task
books must be successfully completed by the eleven (11) month exam date and
must be turned in to the Training Division on or before the exam. It is
recommended the probationary firefighter seek FFI and/or FFII certification from SFT.
Information can be found on the SFT website. Certifications are not required for
continued employment but are often a requirement for promotion and may have value
to your benefit package.
PROCESS
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INFORMATION
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DEFINITIONS
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CROSS REFERENCES
Firefighter Trainee Manual
Section 501.009, Trainee Academy Task Book
Office of the State Fire Marshal State Fire Training
Fire Fighter I (04/2013)
Training and Equipment Manual
Section 325.001, Probationary Firefighter Task Book