How do you convince powers-that-be we need Training?

[TrueBlueFlyer]

Can anyone advise how I would go about convincing our local club that we require regular training whether new, refresher or specialist in nature. I feel it is necessary, more so than just relying on the mantra that we receive "on-the-job" training (which I think is baloney)


From what I've seen in other nations volunteering, most offer training specifically for F1 events... Singapore does a great job, I've seen pictures from the UK, Monaco, Brazil, UAE etc. But in the US when I asked in a facebook group, someone went down memory lane recalling that they used to have something every two years or so... that's unacceptable.


On the job training only goes so far. Unless I was personally involved in an incident like the Porsche GTC flying up and over the flag station at VIR or the Indycar smashing the catch fence at the Houston GP... I haven't learned jack from that experience. Even if I were there, but not at that particular station, what could I possibly learn for the future? (other than hearing people boast stories of how dramatic it looked)


Surely there's got to be a more organized way to train marshals so we're all on the same page, and before someone gets hurt?

[deadsquirrel]

For a litigious society like North America, the exchange at a coroners court would be my 'convincer'.

Imagine a chief marshal being asked about the competancy of their marshals after a serious or fatal accident and stating that the marshals only received training once every two or three years.....

[Shelagh]

Back to those other threads currently on the go.

We are so fortunate in the UK to have so much investment into training. And some extremely good trainers. You get what you pay for....

I'll exclude me from that - we got roped in to do a flag training talk once, but haven't been asked to repeat! Draw your own conclusions.

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by TrueBlueFlyer

From what I've seen in other nations volunteering, most offer training specifically for F1 events... Singapore does a great job, I've seen pictures from the UK, Monaco, Brazil, UAE etc.

Many nations only do F1, hence specific training for it since they have no experience to rely on. I'm not aware that UK, Monaco do since normal training and lots of experience is rather more valuable.

[Steve Fox]

It may be better to decide what "training" you feel you need and from there go and find it or even ask your usual club to include that subject at your next training session. You might even be able to hook up with an expert in our ranks who might be able to show you how that particular thing is done.
There are also external sources available which will gain you qualifications which, although the msa won't recognize, your post chief certainly will. Courses such as emergency life support (heart start), Emergency, general or practical first aid courses are held in most towns, A Fire Marshal course is very informative and well worth doing, in fact almost any skill needed for effective Marshaling can be taught as an public course. The other thing is to make sure you do training at all the circuits that you Marshal, mostly as there are differences in the ways each do things and that way most of the available msa "modules" can be covered in a couple of seasons.
I'm sure that some would agree that F1 isn't particularly "hands on" and so there might not be much to learn on the day that could be learned more effectively at a clubbie

[TrueBlueFlyer]

I need Fire training.


In two 30+ event years I have yet to pull the pin.


I have had a number of fires that occurred directly in front of me, but ironically I was on comms during those instances and all I could do was call it in while others on station dealt with the fire.


I would like to be trained to handle Fire.

[Shelagh]

I've marshalled since 1989 and have never used a fire extinguisher in anger.

In some ways that is a relief. I was always destined for flagging and not just because I'm a "wussy girl". I still had to gain my fire grading.

I like to think that, should the worst happen, I could cope - but I am not very confident. Perhaps I am that "wussy girl" after all.

[haystacks]

TBF in the UK the fire training you get depends on the club/curcuit you do it with.
It could be a whole car in flames to putting out a fire tray. The former is bigger than anything you,hopefully,will encounter trackside. But keep pushing for more training as it can only help.

[Steve Fox]

Originally Posted by TrueBlueFlyer

I need Fire training.


In two 30+ event years I have yet to pull the pin.


I have had a number of fires that occurred directly in front of me, but ironically I was on comms during those instances and all I could do was call it in while others on station dealt with the fire.


I would like to be trained to handle Fire.

Have a think about a Fire Marshal course, very informative and a thing that changes your outlook to fire, it's mechanics, safety, fighting and prevention. Even stuff that isn't obvious can become second nature with training.
I use these guys: http://www.essexfiresafety.com/ but there must be others.

[AMP Marshal]

Is there a volunteer fire department near where you live. They are always accommodating people who would like some hands on with a fire bottle and practicing the PASS method. Maybe get a group of folk together, there might be a small fee, like maybe the cost of popping off some fire bottles. Give that a try. Good luck.

[The Fat Clerk]

Training is 'ongoing', for example Elaine and I are off to a MSA run training event tonight in Birmingham.

[deley]

Folks - lots of interesting and useful info but it helps if you bear in mind where TBF is (or at least is when he isn't elsewhere )

[Shelagh]

Yes - a bit much to ask an American to travel to the UK for some training. Would we do a reverse of that? I think not.

But, if TBF is thinking of visiting our green and pleasant lands (when they're not covered in yellow rapeseed or polytunnels) then January or February might be the time to do it. He may have family to see?

Otherwise, let's get our trainers to think about spreading their expertise to the West rather than the East.