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Fire Officer I Blogs
Winning Strategies for the Field Training Officer
Typically, every probationary firefighter/emt/paramedic gets assigned a field training officer (FTO) or preceptor. Someone to train/teach and observe them more closely early on for a
The Role of the Fire Officer in 2023
What is the role of today’s fire officer? While the overall mission of today’s fire service hasn’t changed much over the years, the tasks that
Mentoring Through Caring
Mentoring through caring – Mentors need to show they care, not just say they care. There’s an old saying, “People don’t care about how much
How to be a Fire Department PIO
Whether you want to be a fire department PIO, or you’re asked to be a PIO, the position is important and requires education and preparation.
Fire Service Culture
Today we hear the word “culture” as it relates to both private sector companies and public sector organizations such as fire departments, but do we
SLICERS vs RECEO-VS: Which Is Better?
Acronyms, acronyms, acronyms, everywhere acronyms. There has been much debate and confusion about two main acronyms in the fire service: SLICERS and RECEO-VS. What do
The Cost Of Mentoring In The Fire Service
Mentoring will always cost you something. It’s impossible to truly mentor someone without it costing you something. Whether you’re mentoring a firefighter, training a paramedic,
Mentoring With Humility In The Fire Service
Mentoring is one of the greatest investments anyone can ever make into another human being’s life. Even more rewarding is when you invest time in
Building Construction For The Fire Service Facts
In the fire academy, not only do we do physical training, but we also learn tons of information about the fire service. Topics like the
Human Resources for The Company Officer
Previously, I was a District Vice President for a local International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) union, and even before the fire service, I was an
Enroute: What to do while responding to a 911 call.
Engine 4 Enroute. Now what? I have been writing a series of blogs from start to finish about a 911 call and some tips and
The importance of a strong 360 size-up
The importance of a strong 360 size-up cannot be over-emphasized. You are arriving on the scene, and it is time to establish your tactical priorities. You either start winning against the fire/emergency, or the fire/emergency starts winning against you and your crew.
Firefighter Task Books
Bureau of Fire Standards and Training Firefighter Task Books. We describe what they are, where they come from, what purpose they serve. Do you need
12 Tips to building trust as a new fire officer
Building trust as a new fire officer begins many, many years before you even begin to think about testing for that position. I tell the
Top 20 Tactical
Considerations from
Firefighter Research
Tactical considerations from research While studying for my lieutenant promotional exam with my agency, I am finding many references to Firefighter Tactics and Strategies I and
The Importance of Fire Pre-plans
What is pre-incident planning? Pre-incident planning, fire pre-plans, preincident plans all say and mean the same thing. We can think of a 911 call as
How to promote to a Fire Lieutenant in Florida
Looking to promote at work? I have been in the fire service for around twelve years. All of my career has been served in the
Online Firefighter Courses
What are some online Firefighter courses you can take? The world is increasingly becoming more fast-paced, and this is especially true with those who work
Why Our Firefighting Tactics and Strategies I Course Matters
When people think of becoming a Florida firefighter, they are usually envisioning having the basic skills that are covered in the Couch Courses Firefighting Tactics
Course Profile: Building Construction for the Fire Service
What do you need to know about a building that’s on fire? Where will it spread, where will it burn hottest, and where might it
What “Course Delivery” Course Skills Can Do for You
Effective communication skills apply to any professional environment, especially those in leadership positions. In emergency situations, the ability to communicate clearly and efficiently can make
What Our Company Officer Course Does for Aspiring Florida Firefighters
So you want to be a Florida firefighter? Well, step right up! Step right up to your own computer, that is. Couch Courses’ Company Officer
Looking to be a Fire Company Officer?
The Company Officer course assists current and aspiring fire officers in solving problems and situations they come across as an officer.
Fire Officer II Blogs
How to get started in Fire Prevention?
I am often asked, ‘How did you end up in fire prevention?’ Do you enjoy going to work? Have you always known you wanted to
The Role of the Fire Officer in 2023
What is the role of today’s fire officer? While the overall mission of today’s fire service hasn’t changed much over the years, the tasks that
How to be a Fire Department PIO
Whether you want to be a fire department PIO, or you’re asked to be a PIO, the position is important and requires education and preparation.
Fire Service Culture
Today we hear the word “culture” as it relates to both private sector companies and public sector organizations such as fire departments, but do we
The Cost Of Mentoring In The Fire Service
Mentoring will always cost you something. It’s impossible to truly mentor someone without it costing you something. Whether you’re mentoring a firefighter, training a paramedic,
Mentoring With Humility In The Fire Service
Mentoring is one of the greatest investments anyone can ever make into another human being’s life. Even more rewarding is when you invest time in
Human Resources for The Company Officer
Previously, I was a District Vice President for a local International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) union, and even before the fire service, I was an
How to Complete Tactics and Strategies II for Florida Firefighters
Congratulations! If you’ve gotten to our Couch Courses Tactics and Strategies II online course, then your career as a Florida firefighter is already off to
The importance of a strong 360 size-up
The importance of a strong 360 size-up cannot be over-emphasized. You are arriving on the scene, and it is time to establish your tactical priorities. You either start winning against the fire/emergency, or the fire/emergency starts winning against you and your crew.
Fire Prevention Practices Course for Fire Officer II Certification
For all that we do as firefighters to save lives and property, we cannot reverse the damage a fire does after it’s started. Fortunately, civilization
Firefighter Task Books
Bureau of Fire Standards and Training Firefighter Task Books. We describe what they are, where they come from, what purpose they serve. Do you need
12 Tips to building trust as a new fire officer
Building trust as a new fire officer begins many, many years before you even begin to think about testing for that position. I tell the
Private Fire Protection Systems I Course
Specialized firefighting equipment and safety measures are a huge part of doing your job in the Florida Fire Service. The many remarkable technologies and tools
Fire Investigator Jobs In Florida
Fire Investigators in Florida, What do they do? You always hear about firefighters and first responders. However, another avenue in the fire service that is
Online Class: Florida Firefighter Course Design
Yes, this is a course about how to design courses. While the language may sound redundant, the course materials are anything but. As a firefighter,
Online Firefighter Courses
What are some online Firefighter courses you can take? The world is increasingly becoming more fast-paced, and this is especially true with those who work
Firefighter Tactics Blogs
Motor Vehicle Accident Response
Responding to a motor vehicle accident is practically a daily occurrence in the fire service. Most accident scenes have similar situations but can be very
Defensive vs Offensive Operation Considerations
When arriving on scene to a structure fire and creating an IAP (Incident Action Plan), the first due officer needs to determine if the initial
SLICERS vs RECEO-VS: Which Is Better?
Acronyms, acronyms, acronyms, everywhere acronyms. There has been much debate and confusion about two main acronyms in the fire service: SLICERS and RECEO-VS. What do
Florida Brush Fire Basic Tactics
I live and work in Southwest Florida, and most of my brush fire incidents are different than, let’s say, out west with thousands of acres.
Learn How And When To Use Fire Extinguishers
As firefighters, we learn most small incipient fires can be put out quickly if you know how and when to use a fire extinguisher. Sometimes
Firefighter Training Blogs
Firefighter Fitness: Understanding the Phases of Fitness
I want to help firefighters and other emergency service personnel understand the levels/phases of firefighter fitness and the importance of progressing from one phase to
Winning Strategies for the Field Training Officer
Typically, every probationary firefighter/emt/paramedic gets assigned a field training officer (FTO) or preceptor. Someone to train/teach and observe them more closely early on for a
Firefighter Fitness: Where to Begin?
Firefighter fitness requires a level of training that is unique to firefighting. How do firefighters get fit to do the job? Further, how do they
Firefighter Educating, Training, Instructing, and Drilling
It’s time to drill. Firefighter Training Tuesday. The education course will take the next three shifts. Your instructor will be… those are all phrases we’ve
Florida Forest Service: The Forest Ranger
The Florida Forest Service is the lead agency for wildland firefighting in the state, and the official title of a state wildland firefighter is Forest
Motor Vehicle Accident Response
Responding to a motor vehicle accident is practically a daily occurrence in the fire service. Most accident scenes have similar situations but can be very
Defensive vs Offensive Operation Considerations
When arriving on scene to a structure fire and creating an IAP (Incident Action Plan), the first due officer needs to determine if the initial
Florida Brush Fire Basic Tactics
I live and work in Southwest Florida, and most of my brush fire incidents are different than, let’s say, out west with thousands of acres.
Crafting Your Story: Effective Storytelling Can Help Develop Firefighters
Whenever I meet my former students, they always ask about the firefighter stories I shared with them in class. This may be a newsflash to
Firefighters Responding To Chemical Suicide
Suicide, unfortunately, is a more common call to first responders then we would like to admit. Of those suicides, chemical suicide is becoming more prevalent
Friefighter Career Development Blogs
How to get started in Fire Prevention?
I am often asked, ‘How did you end up in fire prevention?’ Do you enjoy going to work? Have you always known you wanted to
Firefighter Fitness: Understanding the Phases of Fitness
I want to help firefighters and other emergency service personnel understand the levels/phases of firefighter fitness and the importance of progressing from one phase to
Firefighter Fitness: Where to Begin?
Firefighter fitness requires a level of training that is unique to firefighting. How do firefighters get fit to do the job? Further, how do they
Mentoring Through Caring
Mentoring through caring – Mentors need to show they care, not just say they care. There’s an old saying, “People don’t care about how much
How to be a Fire Department PIO
Whether you want to be a fire department PIO, or you’re asked to be a PIO, the position is important and requires education and preparation.
Fire Prevention: What is it about?
When people think of fire prevention, they typically think of code enforcement, standards, codes, laws, and statutes. Depending on who you ask, they might also
Fire Service Culture
Today we hear the word “culture” as it relates to both private sector companies and public sector organizations such as fire departments, but do we
Florida Forest Service: The Forest Ranger
The Florida Forest Service is the lead agency for wildland firefighting in the state, and the official title of a state wildland firefighter is Forest
The Cost Of Mentoring In The Fire Service
Mentoring will always cost you something. It’s impossible to truly mentor someone without it costing you something. Whether you’re mentoring a firefighter, training a paramedic,
Prolonged Grief Disorder in the First Responder
Grieving longer than normal is associated with prolonged grief disorder. Historically, mental health has been ignored, minimized, or downplayed at the fire chief and firefighter
Mentoring With Humility In The Fire Service
Mentoring is one of the greatest investments anyone can ever make into another human being’s life. Even more rewarding is when you invest time in
Training on death notification: The hard conversation
You just finished working a field termination in front of the family, now what? It’s a moment that lingers in the memory of every emergency
Firehouse Etiquette for the Probie
Congratulations, you just landed the best job in the world! Your first year on the job is going to be stressful, but if you embrace
The Florida Incident Safety Officer Course for Firefighters
A firefighter’s job is to save lives and mitigate damage during a fire, medical emergency, or other dangerous situation. While firefighters by their nature put
Mental Health in the Fire Service: Are We Failing?
It seems as if we prevent everything in the fire service but mental health failure. We focus on fire prevention, safety committees, injury prevention, equipment
Crafting Your Story: Effective Storytelling Can Help Develop Firefighters
Whenever I meet my former students, they always ask about the firefighter stories I shared with them in class. This may be a newsflash to
The benefits and challenges of being a firefighter: What you need to know before pursuing a career.
Helping bring in new firefighters and teaching them the ropes, I am often approached by new recruits or people interested in the career. I feel like the positives and negatives need to be addressed for those interested in potentially becoming a firefighter.
Staying Safe on 911 Calls: Tips for Firefighters
Staying safe on 911 calls is crucial for firefighters. Every call is different and comes with its own set of risks and challenges. Whether you’re responding to a residential fire or medical call, it’s essential to prioritize safety at all times. This blog post will explore some tips for staying safe on 911 calls.
3 Best Firefighter Qualities
There are plenty of qualities you want in a fellow firefighter, but the 3 best firefighter qualities we all look for are: Dependable Knowledgeable Kind
Cancer Awareness In The Fire Service
What, cancer awareness? Do we really need to know about this? We hear it all the time, how dangerous it is to be a firefighter.
10 tips for success in online courses
Online Firefighter Courses It is hard to deny that there has been a huge shift in education over the last five years. Many students are
Thinking About A Career In Firefighting?
Learn how to become a Florida Firefighter now! Couch Courses offers insight and fire classes to assist you in your career goals.
Firefighter Health and Safety
irefighters are known to perform hours upon hours of recertification training, book work, computer scenarios, table top drills and fire scenarios to help attempt to minimize high risk low frequency events such as fires, and other scenarios they maybe called upon to mitigate.
Firefighter Scholarships in Florida – 2022
What scholarship opportunities are available for firefighters in Florida?
Online Firefighter Courses
What are some online Firefighter courses you can take? The world is increasingly becoming more fast-paced, and this is especially true with those who work
How To Get Hired As A Firefighter
Get hired as a firefighter and learn how to differentiate yourself and stand out amongst the many applicants all fighting for a few spots.
Earn Your Florida Incident Safety Officer Certification
So you’ve chosen a career in the Florida fire service. You’ve probably done so out of a sense of duty and service—to your community as
Couch Courses Fire Course Sales
Couch Courses is continually looking for ways to assist students and professionals through education, scholarships, and course sales.
Firefighter Scholarship Exclusive Offer At Approved Fire Academies
We are firefighter owned and operated and want to support firefighters. How do we do this? By awarding the Firefighter Scholarship Award!
Firefighters’ #1 Opportunity For Professional Development Using Couch Courses
What does it take to become a firefighter? It comes down to desire and commitment. Firefighting is similar to other professions: It requires an education,
What Can Couch Courses Do for My Career?
Welcome to Couch Courses, offering the best continuing education courses, certification requirements and professional development resources online. Here’s a breakdown of what we do, and
What Separates Couch Courses From Other Agencies?
Why Couch Courses for your Fire Classes? We offer affordable fire courses and they are transferrable to college credit with our partner CSU.
Do We Offer A Firefighter Certificate Or Diploma?
Couch Courses offers a firefighter certificate to students who complete and pass fire courses; and you can earn a degree with CSU too!
Fire Prevention: Fire Investigator/Inspector Blogs
How to get started in Fire Prevention?
I am often asked, ‘How did you end up in fire prevention?’ Do you enjoy going to work? Have you always known you wanted to
Fire Prevention: What is it about?
When people think of fire prevention, they typically think of code enforcement, standards, codes, laws, and statutes. Depending on who you ask, they might also
The Importance of Fire Pre-plans
What is pre-incident planning? Pre-incident planning, fire pre-plans, preincident plans all say and mean the same thing. We can think of a 911 call as
Private Fire Protection Systems I Course
Specialized firefighting equipment and safety measures are a huge part of doing your job in the Florida Fire Service. The many remarkable technologies and tools
Fire Investigator Jobs In Florida
Fire Investigators in Florida, What do they do? You always hear about firefighters and first responders. However, another avenue in the fire service that is
Deckard & Company