Fire Training: Back to Basics

Safety Stand Down 2024 – Resources

The theme of Safety Stand Down 2024 focuses on the important role training plays in a department’s success and building the right foundation for a department-specific training program. Each day will focus on a different topic within this theme: back to the basics, assessing department and community needs, safety during training, health considerations, and the 12 foundations of fire department training.

Many organizations have developed resources and training relating to this critical topic. This page includes some of those resources to help departments implement Safety Stand Down. If you have resources you would like to submit, use this form.

Please note: Additional tools specific to this year’s Safety Stand Down topic and daily themes, including the 12 Foundations of Fire Department Training, are available on the Planning page of this site.

Select a tab below to view resources and training to help your department have a successful Safety Stand Down week.

Training Standards

The following National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and related resources address training topics.

NFPA 1700: Guide for Structural Fire Fighting
This guide addresses structural firefighting strategy, tactics, and tasks as supported by science-based research. Note: This Standard is in a custom cycle due to the Emergency Response and Responder Safety Document Consolidation Plan as approved by the NFPA Standards Council. Additional resources for NFPA 1700:

NFPA 1400: Standard on Fire Service Training
Note: NFPA 1400 is in a custom cycle due to the Emergency Response and Responder Safety Document Consolidation Plan. As part of the consolidation plan, NFPA 1400 is combining NFPA 1402, NFPA 1403, NFPA 1404, NFPA 1407, NFPA 1408, NFPA 1410, and NFPA 1451. Component Standards for NFPA 1400:

NFPA 1670: Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents
This standard identifies and establishes levels of functional capability for efficiently and effectively conducting operations at technical search and rescue incidents while minimizing threats to rescuers. It is intended to help the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) assess a technical search and rescue hazard within the response area, identify the level of operational capability, and establish operational criteria. Note: As part of the Emergency Response and Responder Safety Document Consolidation Plan, this standard has been combined into new consolidated Standard NFPA 2500. As a result of this action, the “current edition” of NFPA 1670 shown on this page is the last published edition of the standard’s content as a stand-alone standard. For further information and text of the current consolidated standard, go to NFPA 2500.

NFPA 1006: Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications
This standard identifies the minimum job performance requirements for fire service and other emergency response personnel who perform technical rescue operations. Additional Resources for NFPA 1006:

NFPA 1010: Standard on Professional Qualifications for Firefighters
This standard identifies the minimum job performance requirements for support persons, firefighters, and apparatus driver/operators and the minimum performance capabilities for emergency medical services personnel. Note: As part of the Emergency Response and Responder Safety Document Consolidation Plan as approved and amended by the NFPA Standards Council, NFPA 1010 is a combination of NFPA 1001, NFPA 1002, NFPA 1003, and NFPA 1005.

NFPA 1041: Standard for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor Professional Qualifications
This standard identifies the minimum job performance requirements for fire service instructors.

Day 1: Building the Foundation of a Training Program

Training Volunteer Firefighters to Be Combat Ready
NVFC, IAFC-VCOS, ISFSI
This guide is designed to help fire departments develop an operational training program that meets the needs of the community and the individual firefighter with safety and relevancy at the forefront.

New Recruit Track
NVFC
Start your fire service journey off on the right foot with this seven-course training program in the NVFC Virtual Classroom covering topics that will introduce you to the fire service and the importance of health, safety, and training to build your foundation.

Leadership Track
NVFC
Fire and emergency service leaders need to constantly learn and grow in their roles. This 10-course track in the NVFC Virtual Classroom equips emergency service leaders with essential skills, knowledge, tools, and mindset required to strengthen their leadership abilities and effectiveness.

Planning and Implementing a Training Program
NVFC
This online course reviews best practices for creating a robust training program in a volunteer fire department, including how to produce positive outcomes, accomplish training goals, and prepare members to run safe and effective operations.

Tips for the New Training Officer: Bridging the Gap Between NFPA 1041 and the Real World
NVFC
This on-demand webinar helps new training officers bridge the gap between what you learned in your fire instructor courses and NFPA 1041 and the reality of leading a volunteer fire department training program.

Volunteer Fire Service Culture: Essential Strategies for Success
NVFC
This textbook is designed to train department personnel and leaders about key issues relating to fire service health and safety, and how to embrace safe and healthy practices in all areas of fire department training, operations, and culture.

Should a Mentoring Program Be in Your Department’s Future
Fire Engineering
This article by F.R. Montes de Oca explains the benefits of a mentorship program and key considerations for building or enhancing a successful mentorship program.

No Adult Left Behind: Adult Learning Theories for Training Officers
NVFC
This article by Rachel Buczynski looks at adult learning theories and what that means for a fire department training program.

Staging the Optimal Training Night
Fire Engineering
This article by Rachel Buczynski offers tips for setting up a successful night of training.

Moving the U.S. Fire Service Forward
NFPA
In this NFPA podcast, U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell discusses her priorities for the US Fire Administration—from the need to focus on first responder health and safety, to the need to better train our nation’s firefighters on a wide range of emerging hazards.

Day 2: Assessing and Training for Department and Community Needs

A Guide for Conducting a Community Risk Assessment
Vision 20/20
This guide was developed to help fire departments conduct a basic or more complex assessment of the risks within their community.

Sample Documents: Three- Year Training Plan and Pre-Drill Check List
Mesa (AZ) Fire and Medical Department

Sample Document: Training Pyramid
Sissonville (WV) Volunteer Fire Department

Template: Fire Training Center Facility Training Plan
Pasco County (FL) Fire Rescue Training Division

Template: Training Incident Briefing (ICS 201)

Traffic Incident Management and Vehicle Response Training
Find training and resources for roadway incident response.

Electric Vehicle Safety Online Training
NFPA
These courses offer comprehensive coverage of alternative fuels vehicles and critical safety and emergency response strategies and procedures.

Fire Department Pipeline Response, Emergency Planning, and Preparedness (FD PREPP) Initiative
NVFC, PHMSA
This toolkit and training will help departments be better prepared for emergencies involving pipeline incidents.

Partners in Training (PIT) Crew Program
NVFC, PHMSA
This train-the-trainer program prepares first responders to train others in their communities on hazmat safety and response.

Sample Documents: Hazmat
– Hazmat Entry Questionnaire (West Virginia University Fire Service Extension)
– Hazmat Tactical Worksheet (Springdale Fire Department)

Emergency Response Training Page
NFPA
Online training courses include the following:
– Certified Fire Plan Examiner Learning Paths
– Energy Storage and Solar Systems Safety Online Training
– Introduction to NFPA 1, Fire Code Online Training
– NFPA 3000 Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response Program Specialist Online Training
– NFPA 350, Safety Confined Space Entry and Work Online Training Series

Public Safety Drone Guide Online Training Page
NFPA
Fire departments looking to add or increase the use of drones in their operations must be current with the latest information. Reduce risks and liabilities with unmanned aircraft system training developed for public safety and fire service personnel.

Using Virtual Reality to Train Firefighters
NFPA
This “Learn Something New” episode focuses on the benefits and drawbacks of using virtual reality to train firefighters.

Day 3: Safety During Training - Train Like You Operate

Workplace Violence Prevention for First Responders
IAFF
This online courses introduces you to the concepts of workplace violence and provides an overview of the status of prevention policy. It also discusses self-size-ups and scene size-ups including cultural humility. Mitigation strategies such as de-escalation are covered for scenarios when prevention is not an option and concludes with steps to take after a violent encounter such as reporting and seeking help.

Safety Training
NVFC
The NVFC offers the following online, on-demand, self-paced courses related to safety:

  • Incident Safety Officer Training Series
  • Risk Management Principles for New Volunteers
  • Fireground Accountability
  • Decreasing the Risks Involved with Emergency Response
  • Emergency Vehicle Safe Operations
  • Electric Vehicle Safety: An Awareness Level Training

Fire Ground Survival Training Program
IAFF
The purpose of the IAFF Fire Ground Survival program is to ensure that training for Mayday prevention and Mayday operations are consistent between all firefighters, company officers, and chief officers, with an emphasis on safety. Included are the following resources:

Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program
NIOSH
The NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program conducts independent investigations of firefighter line-of-duty deaths and recommends ways to prevent deaths and injuries. View all completed investigation reports here. Reports relating to training incidents include the following:

Sample Document: Live Burn Plan for Acquired Structures
Grove City (MN) Fire Department
Supplemental Materials:

Sample Documents: Live Fire Training

Day 4: Physical and Behavioral/Mental Health Considerations

Cardiac Health

Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program
NVFC
Heart attack is the leading cause of line-of-duty firefighter deaths each year. This program provides resources to help firefighters improve heart health and reduce risks of heart attack.

Firefighters’ Risks of Irregular Heartbeat Linked to Number of On-the-Job Fire Exposures
Journal of the American Heart Association
This report looks at the link between irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation) and responding to fires.

NFPA 1584, Standard on the Rehabilitation Process for Members During Emergency Operations and Training
NFPA
This standard establishes the minimum criteria for developing and implementing a rehabilitation process for fire department members at incident scene operations and training exercises.

Emergency Incident Rehabilitation
USFA and IAFF
This 2008 manual looks at why rehab is important and how to implement a comprehensive rehab program.

Fire Corps Guide to Providing Rehab
NVFC
This guide outlines how to use non-operational volunteers such as Fire Corps teams to implement or enhance a fire department’s rehab program.

Cardiac Awareness Toolkit
IAFC
This toolkit provides information and resources so that responders can recognize cardiac events and act quickly before tragedy strikes.

Safety and Performance Implications of Hydration, Core Body Temperature, and Post-Incident Rehabilitation
Orange County Fire Authority
This research study examines the hydration status, exertion level, core body temperature, and post-incident cooling techniques to gain a better understanding of firefighter job demands and to provide recommendations to help minimize the inherent risks associated with firefighting.

Just a Reminder about Hydration
This two-pager provides some reminders for staying hydrated and how to tell if you are dehydrated based on your urine color.

Cancer

Lavender Ribbon Report – Best Practices for Preventing Firefighter Cancer
NVFC, IAFC-VCOS
Learn the 11 specific actions that should be included in all training and operations to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals and help prevent occupationally caused cancer.

Training Facility PFAS-Free Firefighter Foams
NFPA Research Foundation
This article looks at the incentives and barriers to adopting PFAS-free firefighter foams in fire training facilities.

Behavioral/Mental Health

Yellow Ribbon Report – Under the Helmet: Performing an Internal Size-Up
IAFC
This report includes background information, statistics, resources, and action items for departments to use toward the mental wellness of their members.

Share the Load Program
NVFC
Find resources, tools, and training to help individual responders and department leaders focus on mental wellbeing. This includes the Directory of Behavioral Health Professionals and the NVFC First Responder Helpline.

Psychologically Healthy Fire Departments
NVFC
This toolkit and training help fire department leaders promote and foster well-being among their members and create successful, high-performing departments.

Peer Support Training
IAFF
This training equips responders with the knowledge and skills to provide support to their peers, understand common behavioral health issues affecting the fire service, serve as a bridge to community resources or behavioral health treatment, and build or enhance a peer support program.

Behavioral Health Training
IAFF
The IAFF offers the following free, on-demand, self-paced courses relating to behavioral health:

Fire Service Discrimination and Harassment Toolkit
NVFC, Women in Fire
Discrimination and harassment training should be provided to every department member. This toolkit aims to help first responders prevent, identify, and respond to discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace.

Training Resources