Proby Notebook

Probationary Firefighter Training Notebook Procedures

1. General Training Notebook Guidelines

  • Issuance of Notebooks

    • Every member upon the completion of Probationary Firefighter School is issued a composition notebook to document their training.
    • Notebooks are to be maintained until the end of the probationary period.

  • Purpose of the Notebook

    • The training notebook should be used to record:
    • Questions concerning fire tools, equipment, and operations.
    • Lessons learned and reinforced during firefighting operations.
    • Information obtained at drills and training exercises.
    • Input and advice provided by senior members.
    • Knowledge gained from training videos and reading assignments.

2. Notebook Entry Format

  • Standard Entries

    • Members are required to make entries in the following format:
    • Example Entry:
      • MONDAY 09/15/2007 9X6 Size-up L-3
      • Q: What are the 13 points of size-up?
      • A: [To be filled in]
      • Q: When does size-up begin?
      • A: [To be filled in]
    • Example Entry:
      • TUESDAY 09/16/07 6X9 Company Drill
      • The senior member gave me some tips on how to maneuver a portable ladder.
        • (LIST THEM)

  • Tool List Attachment

    • A tool list from their current unit must be attached to the first page of the notebook for reference and to ensure familiarization with the tools carried on the apparatus.

  • Motivation and Constructive Review

    • The training notebook serves as a motivational tool for developing firefighting skills.
    • Company officers are responsible for addressing any errors or inconsistent entries through constructive reviews with members.

  • Best Practices for Effective Use

    • To maximize effectiveness, members should:
    • Bring the training notebook to all drills held in quarters.
    • Make entries during the drill or immediately after acquiring new knowledge.
    • Review their training notebooks weekly to ensure questions are addressed and information remains fresh.
      • An entry should be made during this review.
    • Store training notebooks in the company office when not in use.

3. Monthly Training Module Documentation

  • Receipt Attachment
    • At the completion of a training module, the receipt must be printed and stapled to the current training notebook page.
    • A training module is deemed finished when all materials have been read, training videos viewed, and the monthly quiz successfully completed.

4. Lost or Destroyed Notebooks

  • Reporting Loss or Damage
    • If the training notebook is lost or destroyed, the company commander must submit a report through the chain of command to the administrative Division within 30 days, detailing the loss or destruction.
    • The notebook must be replaced at the member's expense, with a notation of the replacement included in the report.
    • Loss or destruction will be noted in the subsequent evaluation report, potentially leading to disciplinary action.

5. Documenting Leaves

  • Leave Documentation
    • Probationary firefighters must document all leaves (excluding regular leaves) in their training notebooks.
    • An entry should be made detailing the dates of leave.
    • On the first tour after the leave, the officer on duty will verify and sign the entry, confirming the dates.

6. Evaluation of Notebooks

  • Corrective Action for Deficiencies

    • Officers reviewing training notebooks must initiate corrective action whenever deficiencies are noted. Unsatisfactory notebooks may exhibit:
    • Long, unexplained gaps between entries.
    • One-word answers or excessively brief entries.
    • An insufficient number of entries over a time span.
    • Failure to correct noted deficiencies or change the format as required by company or chief officers.

  • Notebook Maintenance for Extended Probation

    • Members who have an extended probationary period must maintain their training notebooks for a duration equivalent to the extension.

7. Review and Evaluation Schedule

  • Regular Review Requirements

    • Probationary firefighters are required to ensure their training notebook is reviewed on a regular basis, adhering to the following schedule:
    • Probationary Firefighter: Review weekly, initial and date in blue or black ink.
    • Officer on Duty: Review each tour worked, initial and date in red ink.
    • Company Commander: Monthly review, initial and date in red ink.
    • Chief Officers: Review during company drill visits, initial and date in red ink.

  • Submission for Evaluation

    • Company commanders must ensure that training notebooks are submitted for evaluation according to the following timeline:
    • 13th Month: Forward training notebook to the Battalion and Division Training Coordinator; books returned post-evaluation.
    • 17th Month: Repeat submission process as outlined above.

  • Monitoring Compliance

    • Battalions are responsible for maintaining an accurate and up-to-date list of all firefighters with notebooks to assist in monitoring compliance with these regulations.