Our goal was to critically examine the train-the-trainer system in ground fire brigade training, enabling us to suggest targeted improvements for its effectiveness.
THE CHALLENGE
Climate change presents serious challenges for Tyrol's volunteer fire brigades, particularly with rising major weather events and forest fires. Through evaluating the train-the-trainer system in ground firefighting courses, we aimed to identify opportunities to improve training, ensuring volunteers are optimally prepared for these increased demands.
OUTCOMES
Derived from our focus group discussions, the tailored questionnaires for trainers and trainees unveiled valuable insights. The trainers, seeking to enhance their skill sets, expressed an eagerness for further training in didactics, while they identified time constraints as a substantial impediment to their effectiveness. Although feedback from trainees—primarily from the Kufstein district—may not wholly reflect the wider situation, it affirms that the train-the-trainer system is functioning well there. Our conclusion posits that strategic enhancements, such as implementing specialized working groups for vegetation firefighting across districts, could significantly boost the overall efficiency and reach of the train-the-trainer system.
Team Photo
- Study Program: Nonprofit-, Sozial- und Gesundheitsmanagement
- Team: Bianca Ernst, Rene Schatz, Claudia Neulinger
- Supervisor(s): Renate Windbichler, Raffael Heiss, Nils Mevenkamp
- Partner Organisation: Landes-Feuerwehrverband Tirol
- Year project was carried out: 2023
Partner Statement
The results of the project work confirmed our experiences and revealed new areas of action. This productive collaboration underlines the value of such initiatives as a link between science and practice. We thank the MCI and especially the students for their valuable contribution to the further development of the Train-the-Trainer system in Tyrol.
Further Information