1. Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute Associate Instructor Program
Instructors are the core of every training system.
Critical to quality and credibility.
KF&RTI responsibility: Create a quality system.
Instructor responsibility: Apply that system and your instructional skills.
The system must:
Be founded in solid educational principles.
Provide reasonable assurances of qualified instructors.
Monitor system performance and strive for continual improvement.

2. Associate Instructor Program
This is a “realignment” – not a new program!
Rationale for change:
System in place since 1980s with little revision.
KF&RTI programs have changed significantly.
Many instructors on list from out of state and/or retired.
System confusing:
If you wanted to do in-house courses, you had to be a Field Instructor.
No real review of applications happened – if you applied, you were in…
Too much “evolution” since the system was created.
Too much “process.”

3. New System (coming in 2008)
“Field Instructor” title will no longer be used.
Four new categories (titles):
Fire Department Instructor
Instructors who only taught in-house.
Any certified Fire Service Instructor can teach in-house.
No continuing education requirements.
Associate Instructor
Field Instructors who taught for wages from KF&RTI
Will include some “reasonable” continuing education requirements.
Training Manager
Requires special application and approval.
Instructors must be designated as the single responsible instructor by their home FD/Fire Chief.
Contract Instructor (approved as needed by KF&RTI)
Out of State or other instructors who teach on a one-time basis.

4. New System (coming in 2008) Basic Rules:
Any certified instructor can teach courses in their home FD.
Qualifications to teach on a course by course basis.
Must have technical background (attended course as student).
Must attend a Train-the-Trainer.
Must teach the approved lesson plan.
KF&RTI provides materials (not IFSTA/text manuals)
Complete and submit course documentation for credit.
Must be an approved “Associate Instructor” to teach for wages.
Course MUST have prior approval from KF&RTI.

5. The Transition (1st Quarter 2008)
Letters will be sent to existing Field Instructors.
Do you want to in the KF&RTI system for wages?
If so, return the form.
You will be moved into the Associate Instructor status.
If not, do nothing.
You will be moved into the Fire Department Instructor status.
You will be able to teach for KF&RTI credit in-house.
New Associate Instructors (no previous status).
Submit application and resume.
Applications reviewed by KF&RTI staff.
Individual notified of status.

6. The Future
First: This (annual) conference - a reinvigorated Instructional Development program.
Second: The transition to new classifications & requirements.
Third: Periodic professional development workshops for instructors.
Fourth: Routine regional Train-the-Trainer classes.