IFE Examinations

[Kaiser]

I am considering doing my IFE examinations but I'm not sure which level to start at.  I completed my Lff's exams years ago but never progressed to completing the Subs exam.  Now that the FSEB is no longer in existance, where do I start.  Although a CM, I have also done lots of other things, such as completing an international firefighter exchange scheme, writing a report on "Disaster Management in The Federal Republic of Germany".  I served many years operationally as a firefighter and JO and I'm currently a training instructor with my brigade, an NVQ assessor, BAI, soon to be RTCI and HVRI.  I do occasional translation work for UK fire services and the CTIF and I am a personal member of the BFSA.  I have looked at the website for the IFE but this doesn't clarify where to start.  I am at Moreton on the 19th and 20th of this month and will try to make time to go to the IFE dept there, but I have a sneaky feeling it will be closed due to Easter.

[fireftrm]

I would look to the Graduate examination, it is done by paper so it is possible to do some one year and more the following, to spread learning and revision, or all at once. It would suggest it is the appropriate level for your exisitng skills and role. Someof what you have said may suggest Member level study/knowledge, but I believe it is best to re-enter the world of examinations at the lower level and then move forward from there.

[mark almond]

kaiser, I have been doing the IFE exams for the last 9 years, I started from the begining and went on to pass my Members last year. By starting at the begining it gives you an understanding of the concept fire engineering brings and how it can be applied in all elements of fire fighting. Also, having an up to date CPD record also helps plus going to various meetings to get experience from other members. My advice to you is to make a start and enjoy the learning. It has been well worth it for me and have enjoyed the studying. your knowledge will rise two fold.

[docfin]

mark almond makes an excellent point in saying that study is its own reward, but there has to be something more tangible in it for most people. In my brigade we are curently having a debate at various levels about the pros and cons of going back to the IFE. It is a valid comment that the exams helped to ensure that the level of technical knowledge in the service was kept up but the question has been asked about whether the IFE has moved with the times or is it trading on its past? I am given to understand that the exams they use now are not a lot different from those which were in use five or six years ago when they fell out of favour. I am not a member and perhaps am not best placed to answer this but I would sympathise with those who would like to see the IFE used by brigades again. My only reservation is that from the outside the IFE seemed extremely elitist. I have to say also that am not sure how the qualifications gained would fit within the current ADC system if they were used as a means to access promotion as they did in the past, so what is the point other than getting a few more letters after your name so your emails look posh. If they were used how would the IFE address issues such as APL and APEL for those who are already qualified to the same levels via other bodies such as ILM or CMI? I recently looked at a sylabus for the intermediate level and I did'nt think they addressed the "management" skills so beloved of the ADC lobby.

[Kaiser]

I here what you are saying Docfin but I do feel that the lack of exam process is breeding a less knowledgable type of manager these days andI'm pretty sure that some form of exam will be compulsary again in the near future.  For me, it's not about having letters after my name, it's about having the knowledge to deal with incidents and assist me to pass the relevant courses with high grades.  I intend to go for further promotion to improve my final pension and I feel that the exams will provide me with a relevant qualification somewhere along the line, if nothing else, it shows that I have the knowledge and understanding to pass them which is more than many others these days.

[bluelight]

Kaiser

I got my members qualification last year.

There is a lot of studying in it because the syllabus is so wide.

However with my blue light and anorak on it was one of the best set of exams I have studied for.

The personal sense of achievement makes all the hard work worthwhile.

I would recommend you start doing the IFE exams at whatever level you feel fit for.

I can see the IFE exams becoming more relevant now than at any tme in the past ten years.

Particularly with the stat qualifications being worthless.

good luck

[Clevelandfire]

At the end of the day what else is there out there which shows competency for fire safety professionals? IFE is the only respected body