The career-long journey of a wildland firefighter begins with an initial entry-level emphasis on training. Then, as the firefighter gains experience, the learning gradually shifts to an emphasis on education. We call this the training and education continuum. Learning should be designed as a blend of training and education appropriate to the level of student experience. Leaders at all levels should approach training and education with a sense of humility and gratitude.
Training and education are the two interdependent means to achieve learning required for operational demands. Each complements the other as they sustain the transformation along the continuum of professional development to produce technically and operationally proficient firefighters. These are firefighters who can think critically, apply sound judgment, stay humble, and make ethical decisions to solve complex problems in an environment of great ambiguity and uncertainty.
Training and education are mutually supporting efforts. The single most important aspect to understand about this concept is that experiences in any learning environment are comprised of an inseparable combination of both training and education that, together, build individual and organizational capability and competence.
Training and education are mutually supporting efforts. The single most important aspect to understand about this concept is that experiences in any learning environment are comprised of an inseparable combination of both training and education that, together, build individual and organizational capability and competence.
In any learning environment, it is a blurring or blending that occurs where training, education, and experience meet.
In planning and conducting teaching and learning, we target behaviors for change.
Yet we also recognize that whether we intended to train or intended to educate, we produce effects on both—in order to prepare firefighters to thrive in the realm of complexity.
Training and education are mutually supporting efforts. The single most important aspect to understand about this concept is that experiences in any learning environment are comprised of an inseparable combination of both training and education that, together, build individual and organizational capability and competence.
Training and education are mutually supporting efforts. The single most important aspect to understand about this concept is that experiences in any learning environment are comprised of an inseparable combination of both training and education that, together, build individual and organizational capability and competence.
“Complexity – Characterizes the behavior of a system or model whose components interact in multiple ways and follow local rules, meaning there is no reasonable higher instruction to define the various possible interactions.” (Wikipedia)As firefighters grow in both ability and maturity they begin to sense conditions and, on their own, execute tasks that meet their designated leader’s standard of intent.
In any learning environment, it is a blurring or blending that occurs where training, education, and experience meet.
In planning and conducting teaching and learning, we target behaviors for change.
Yet we also recognize that whether we intended to train or intended to educate, we produce effects on both—in order to prepare firefighters to thrive in the realm of complexity.
[Click here to download Learning in the Wildland Fire Service."]
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