Firefighter Leadership Training | Video

Retha Colclasure | 1/11/2013

Being a firefighter is about more than just knowing how to put out a fire. It can also require leadership skills. The North Dakota Firefighter`s Association holds training throughout the state to teach firefighting skills and they are focusing on leadership this weekend.

Being a firefighter is a tough job that requires a lot of training. Leading those firefighters can require even more. "We specifically focus on upper level chief officers, senior firefighter development," said NDFA training director Rob Knuth.

The North Dakota Firefighter`s Association leadership training is enabling department leaders across the state to better serve their communities. "We`re talking about leadership skills and abilities. It doesn`t matter where you are, what your capacity is, stuff that comes from this conference can be applied across the board," said instructor Dan Carley.

And firefighters are coming with big expectations.

"I want more information on being a leader in our fire service and what I can do for our company," said Dickinson Fire Department Assistant Chief Curtis Freeman.

Freeman sees a lot of challenges leading a department in a busy part of the state. "We`re experiencing a higher call volume."

And they`re meeting that volume with the same number of volunteer firefighters now as they had in 1980. One thing he was hoping to take away from this conference was how to recruit volunteers, and use them efficiently.

About 75 firefighters from across the state came to the training. It goes through Sunday.

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