First Line Supervisor Fire Fighters Onboarding Checklist

First Line Supervisor Fire Fighters Onboarding Process

Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new First Line Supervisor Fire Fighters starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Emergency Services onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new First Line Supervisor Fire Fighters, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample First Line Supervisor Fire Fighters onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.

First Line Supervisor Fire Fighters Onboarding Checklist

1. Introduction to the department: The new first-line supervisor should be introduced to the department’s structure, goals, and objectives. This task is typically performed by the department chief or a senior officer who provides an overview of the department’s mission, values, and organizational structure.

2. Familiarization with policies and procedures: The new supervisor should be provided with a comprehensive understanding of the department’s policies and procedures. This includes protocols for emergency response, safety guidelines, administrative procedures, and disciplinary actions. The training is usually conducted by the department’s training officer or a designated supervisor.

3. Review of applicable laws and regulations: Firefighters operate within a legal framework, and it is crucial for the new supervisor to be familiar with the relevant laws and regulations governing emergency services. This task may involve reviewing federal, state, and local laws, as well as industry-specific regulations. The department’s legal advisor or a senior officer typically provides this training.

4. Training on incident command system (ICS): The incident command system is a standardized approach used in emergency response to manage incidents effectively. The new supervisor should receive training on ICS, including its principles, roles, and responsibilities. This training is often conducted by a certified ICS instructor or a senior officer with expertise in incident management.

5. Familiarization with department equipment and apparatus: Firefighters rely on various equipment and apparatus to carry out their duties. The new supervisor should receive training on the department’s equipment, including fire trucks, hoses, breathing apparatus, and personal protective gear. This task is typically performed by experienced firefighters or the department’s equipment officer.

6. Introduction to personnel management: As a first-line supervisor, it is essential to understand the principles of personnel management. This task involves training on topics such as leadership, communication, conflict resolution, performance evaluation, and team building. The department’s human resources department or a designated supervisor may provide this training.

7. Review of emergency response protocols: The new supervisor should undergo comprehensive training on the department’s emergency response protocols. This includes understanding the different types of emergencies, response procedures, incident size-up, and resource allocation. The training is typically conducted by experienced firefighters or the department’s training officer.

8. Familiarization with mutual aid agreements: Fire departments often collaborate with neighboring departments through mutual aid agreements to provide assistance during large-scale emergencies. The new supervisor should be familiarized with these agreements, including the procedures for requesting and providing mutual aid. This task is usually performed by the department’s mutual aid coordinator or a designated supervisor.

9. Introduction to budgeting and resource management: As a supervisor, understanding budgeting and resource management is crucial. This task involves training on budget development, procurement processes, resource allocation, and financial reporting. The department’s finance officer or a designated supervisor may provide this training.

10. Mentoring and shadowing experienced supervisors: To gain practical knowledge and insights, the new supervisor should be paired with experienced supervisors for mentoring and shadowing opportunities. This allows them to observe and learn from experienced leaders in real-life situations. The department’s training officer or a designated mentor typically facilitates this task.

11. Review of health and safety protocols: Firefighters face numerous health and safety risks, and it is essential for the new supervisor to be well-versed in the department’s health and safety protocols. This includes training on personal protective equipment, hazardous materials handling, infection control, and wellness programs. The department’s health and safety officer or a designated supervisor typically provides this training.

12. Introduction to community outreach and public relations: Fire departments often engage in community outreach programs and maintain positive public relations. The new supervisor should receive training on community engagement strategies, public speaking, media relations, and crisis communication. This task may be performed by the department’s public information officer or a designated supervisor.

13. Familiarization with administrative tasks: As a supervisor, there are various administrative tasks to be performed, such as maintaining records, preparing reports, scheduling shifts, and managing personnel documentation. The new supervisor should receive training on these administrative responsibilities. The department’s administrative officer or a designated supervisor typically provides this training.

14. Participation in ongoing professional development: Continuous learning and professional development are crucial for first-line supervisors. The new supervisor should be encouraged to participate in training programs, workshops, conferences, and certifications relevant to their role. The department’s training officer or a designated supervisor can guide the new supervisor in identifying suitable professional development opportunities.

15. Introduction to critical incident stress management: Firefighters often encounter traumatic incidents that can impact their mental health. The new supervisor should receive training on critical incident stress management techniques, including recognizing signs of stress, providing support, and facilitating access to counseling services. This training is typically conducted by the department’s peer support team or a designated mental health professional.

16. Performance evaluation and feedback: The new supervisor should be trained on conducting performance evaluations and providing constructive feedback to their subordinates. This includes setting performance goals, monitoring progress, addressing performance issues, and recognizing achievements. The department’s human resources department or a designated supervisor may provide this training.

17. Introduction to union relations: Fire departments often have unions representing the interests of firefighters. The new supervisor should receive training on union relations, including understanding collective bargaining agreements, grievance procedures, and labor-management cooperation. This task may be performed by the department’s labor relations officer or a designated supervisor.

18. Familiarization with emergency medical services (EMS): Many fire departments provide emergency medical services alongside firefighting. The new supervisor should receive training on EMS protocols, medical equipment, patient care, and coordination with medical professionals. This training is typically conducted by experienced EMS personnel or the department’s EMS coordinator.

19. Introduction to specialized units and divisions: Fire departments may have specialized units or divisions, such as hazardous materials, technical rescue, or wildland firefighting. The new supervisor should be introduced to these specialized units, their roles, and their unique training requirements. This task is typically performed by the unit or division leaders.

20. Ongoing support and mentorship: Throughout the onboarding process and beyond, it is crucial to provide ongoing support and mentorship to the new supervisor. This includes regular check-ins, opportunities for feedback and guidance, and access to resources and support networks. The department’s training officer, senior officers, or designated mentors can provide this ongoing support

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

From reading through the items in the example First Line Supervisor Fire Fighters checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new First Line Supervisor Fire Fighters up to speed and working well in your Emergency Services team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.