The definition of intent when related to the fire service is the underlying reason or purpose behind an action taken by a firefighter, officer, or department — particularly in fire ground decision-making. In the fire service, intent plays a crucial role in shaping decisions, actions, and leadership especially when it comes to training.

Training without intent is activity without impact. It burns time without building readiness — and that’s dangerous in a job where performance can mean life or death.

Training Intent:

“The intent behind this drill is to build muscle memory for a mayday scenario.”

Without clear intent, training can become just routine instead of purpose-driven. Then what happens?

Training without the purpose becomes a checkbox activity leading to many areas that will lose firefighters drive, motivation and build a scary level of complacency.

Due to this, firefighters will only be going through the motions or focusing on completing the training rather than the competency of the training leading to complacency and loss of critical perishable skills needed for success as a firefighter on the job. Furthermore, firefighters not understanding the "why" behind the training may not fully engage in the training, therefore losing its sense of relevance. When firefighter lose the relevance in their training meaning the intent of the training is gone, the training lacks real-world applications and fails to prepare firefighters for actual incidents.

Inconsistent outcomes will begin to grow when training has to intent. Without a clear objective behind the training, performances will tend to vary and the ability to measure improvement or success can oftentimes be difficult. Why? Because you cannot execute a plan, without understanding what the end result should look like.

Firefighters as we all are aware, respect training that respects their time and sharpens their skills. When the intent behind the training is missing, the morale and motivation to perform drops and the question gets asks, "why are we even doing this?"

Training should be built upon decision-making, confidence and leadership in addition to the skills that are looking to be developed or sharpened.

Until next time, work hard, stay safe & live inspired