NCJ Number
206940
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 31 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2004 Pages: 86,88,92
Date Published
August 2004
Length
6 pages
Annotation
After presenting the rationale for cross-training for firefighters and police, this article describes how such training is done in Cook County, IL.
Abstract
Police and firefighters both regularly respond to scenes that involve threats to public safety, with each profession using its distinctive knowledge and skills to address specific public safety needs. Firefighters and their emergency medical response personnel focus on protecting property from fire and saving lives. Police have the tasks of managing and controlling traffic and crowds at public safety incidents, enforcing laws, and collecting any evidence of a possible crime. Cross-training of the two professions facilitates understanding of the various professional roles and how cooperation and teamwork can best be facilitated. Cook County provides cross-training at both the academy level and the field level. At the academy level, 40 hours are spent training recruits from both services in what the professions do separately and jointly. Joint anti-terrorism training is being planned. In the field, Cook County police and fire departments train together on various aspects of their daily jobs. Trainers from both agencies share a training center. Training includes command staff and focuses on various likely field scenarios where police and firefighters will be jointly involved.