Fire service instructors are challenged to find adaptable methodologies that both meet NFPA and state-agency standards and stimulate the students. Case studies build on the tradition of story-telling that effectively has transferred learning for centuries.

The National Firefighter Near-Miss Reporting System received 243 case studies in the training category between August 2005 and December 2008.

The reports can be used for instructor continuing-education programs. By reviewing the report demographics, contributing factors, event narratives and lessons learned, instructors have ready-built, continuing-education sessions that can be used as individual training tools or as group sessions. A number of the reports have been filed by training officers, making the reports essentially a train-the-trainer refresher opportunity.

Visit the National Firefighter Near-Miss Reporting Systems' Search Reports page and select an Event Type from the list in the Advanced Search area. Select the "Training" event type to get a better appreciation of what this established resource offers you as a mentor and your training division as a knowledge-enhancement tool.