10.4 Phased Training (1–4), Functional Skills & Probationary Training

10.4 Phased Training (1–4), Functional Skills & Probationary Training

Quick Answer: Recruit training uses four phases. Phase 1 Demonstration: introduce skills, PHXYou video, walk-through, written quiz ≥80%. Phase 2 Instructional: ≥3 attempts with feedback; be receptive to coaching. Phase 3 Evaluation: perform to Standard; fail → plan for improvement + Peer Review; may dismiss. Phase 4 Evaluation: all basic skills (typically after Phase 3); 2 attempts; third only on Peer Review recommendation. Functional skills apply basics in series (hydrant, forcible entry, hose, search/rescue, victims, extension, salvage, ladders, vertical ventilation). Probation adds modules and a final eval with 2 attempts.

Phased training is the Academy’s learning architecture: demonstrate → practice with coaching → evaluate to standard → prove the full skill set and functional series. Recruits must always know which phase they are in; if confused, clarification with an RTO is the recruit’s responsibility.

Phase 1 — Demonstration

During Phase 1, each Firefighter Recruit is introduced to the skills and standards required to perform. Specifics are demonstrated. Key elements:

Exam traps:

• Forgetting the 80% quiz floor
• Thinking Phase 1 is full graded skill performance (walk-through is non-evaluative)
• Missing PHXYou as the video source

Phase 2 — Instructional

Phase 2 is deliberate practice with coaching:

• Minimum of (3) attempts at each skill with feedback
• Feedback covers areas of concern and successful execution
• Critiques are constructive and informative

Expectations for the recruit:

1. Be receptive to coaching, constructive criticism, and teaching.
2. Be aware of your own performance and actively seek to improve always.
3. Know which training phase you are in always; ask an RTO if unclear.

Expectations for RTOs (Professional Standards Guide supervisors):

• Be patient, calm, and respectful
• Provide effective communications and clear direction

Phase 2 is not “pass/fail final”—it is repetition plus feedback—but attitude toward coaching is graded culture. Defensiveness conflicts with the packet standard.

Phase 3 — Evaluation

In Phase 3, each Firefighter Recruit must perform skills to “Standard.”

Phase 3 is where “I almost have it” becomes a documented performance problem if the skill is not to standard.

Phase 4 — Evaluation (basic skills capstone)

Phase 4 requires passing an evaluation of the basic firefighting skills taught at the Training Academy. It typically occurs following completion of Phase 3 for all basic skills. Each recruit is evaluated on performance of all the skills taught throughout the Academy.

Attempt rules

Memorize: two attempts are the baseline; third is not automatic—it depends on Peer Review.

Functional skills (near academy completion)

Near completion of Recruit Training is evaluation of functional skills: application of basic skills in series, as necessary to achieve tactical objectives on the fireground in a timely manner. Basics are applied in a series to complete common fireground tasks.

Packet examples of functional skills

1. Taking a hydrant
2. Forcing entry on a door
3. Advancing a hose line into a structure
4. Executing search and rescue
5. Removing victims
6. Checking for fire extension using hand tools (overhead in an attic space, below in a floor, or in an adjacent wall)
7. Salvage savable property
8. Hand ladder placement
9. Vertical ventilation

Functional skills are evaluated both:

• In their individual components as basic skills, and
• For effectiveness of the entire evolution to meet the requested task safely and timely, considering communications, air management, situational awareness, and accountability

That second layer is exam-critical: functional evaluation is not only “did the door open?”—it is the full professional package under time and safety pressure.

Probationary Training

After the academy, the Probationary Phase continues the system:

• Attend all mandatory training modules at the Training Academy and offsite locations as available
• Build on academy learning to further develop EMS, critical decision-making, fireground communications, and ability to work as part of a team

Concerns and documentation

Concerns in any of these areas during probation result in documentation clearly identifying Probationary Training staff expectations. Probationary Management Officers at the Training Academy coordinate with Field Training Officers. Peer Review is notified and reviews documentation. If improvement is not seen by the following grading period, Peer Review determines action up to and including dismissal.

Probationary final evaluation

A probationary final evaluation process follows; each Firefighter must pass it. It evaluates:

• Basic skills taught and demonstrated in Recruit Training, and
• The functional aspect required for success on an actual fire scene

Failure to meet standards within (2) attempts requires Peer Review to meet and determine action up to and including dismissal.

Purpose of the whole process

The training process is designed to help each Firefighter be successful. It is the Training Academy’s goal to take capable, willing qualified recruits and turn them into capable, qualified firefighters. We are committed to that end.

Standards are high because the job is high-risk and high-trust. Support exists (RTOs, plans, Peer Review, modules)—but recruits and probationary firefighters own initiative, receptiveness, and performance to standard.

Phase map at a glance

How Section 10.4 shows up on the exam

Expect items that ask:

• Phase 1 quiz minimum? → 80%
• Where are skill videos? → PHXYou
• Phase 2 minimum attempts? → 3 with feedback
• Phase 3 requirement? → perform to Standard
• Phase 4 attempts? → 2; third only on Peer Review recommendation
• What are functional skills? → basic skills applied in series for tactical objectives
• Name functional examples? → hydrant, forcible entry, hose advance, search/rescue, victims, extension, salvage, ladders, vertical ventilation
• Functional eval also considers? → communications, air management, situational awareness, accountability
• Probation builds? → EMS, critical decision-making, fireground communications, teamwork
• Probationary final attempts? → 2

Study checklist for Section 10.4

• Phase 1: introduce/demonstrate/PHXYou/non-evaluative walk-through/quiz 80%.
• Phase 2: ≥3 attempts + feedback; recruit receptiveness and self-awareness.
• Phase 3: to Standard or plan for improvement + Peer Review path.
• Phase 4: all basic skills after Phase 3 complete; 2 attempts; third via Peer Review.
• Functional = series application of basics for timely tactical objectives.
• List the nine packet functional skill examples.
• Functional whole-evolution factors: safety, time, communications, air management, SA, accountability.
• Probation: mandatory modules (academy + offsite); build EMS/decision-making/comms/teamwork.
• Documentation + Peer Review same improvement/dismissal logic as academy.
• Probationary final: basic + functional; 2 attempts; Peer Review if fail.