Kansas Fire Rescue Training Institute Associate Instructor

Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute Associate Instructor Program • Instructors are the core of every training system. – Critical to quality and credibility. • KF&RTI responsibility: Create a quality system. • Instructor responsibility: Apply that system and your instructional skills. • The system must: – Be founded in solid educational principles. – Provide reasonable assurances of qualified instructors. – Monitor system performance and strive for continual improvement.

Associate Instructor Program • This is a “realignment” – not a new program! • Rationale for change: – System in place since 1980 s with little revision. – KF&RTI programs have changed significantly. – Many instructors on list from out of state and/or retired. • System confusing: – If you wanted to do in-house courses, you had to be a Field Instructor. – No real review of applications happened – if you applied, you were in… – Too much “evolution” since the system was created. – Too much “process. ”

New System (coming in 2008) • “Field Instructor” title will no longer be used. • Four new categories (titles): – Fire Department Instructor • Instructors who only taught in-house. • Any certified Fire Service Instructor can teach in-house. • No continuing education requirements. – Associate Instructor • Field Instructors who taught for wages from KF&RTI • Will include some “reasonable” continuing education requirements. – Training Manager • Requires special application and approval. • Instructors must be designated as the single responsible instructor by their home FD/Fire Chief. – Contract Instructor (approved as needed by KF&RTI) • Out of State or other instructors who teach on a one-time basis.

New System (coming in 2008) Basic Rules: 1. Any certified instructor can teach courses in their home FD. 2. Qualifications to teach on a course by course basis. – Must have technical background (attended course as student). – Must attend a Train-the-Trainer. – Must teach the approved lesson plan. – KF&RTI provides materials (not IFSTA/text manuals) 3. Complete and submit course documentation for credit. 4. Must be an approved “Associate Instructor” to teach for wages. – Course MUST have prior approval from KF&RTI.

The Transition (1 st Quarter 2008) • Letters will be sent to existing Field Instructors. – Do you want to in the KF&RTI system for wages? • If so, return the form. • You will be moved into the Associate Instructor status. – If not, do nothing. • You will be moved into the Fire Department Instructor status. • You will be able to teach for KF&RTI credit in-house. • New Associate Instructors (no previous status). – Submit application and resume. – Applications reviewed by KF&RTI staff. – Individual notified of status.

The Future • First: This (annual) conference - a reinvigorated Instructional Development program. • Second: The transition to new classifications & requirements. • Third: Periodic professional development workshops for instructors. • Fourth: Routine regional Train-the-Trainer classes.