NFA Long Term Evaluation Report - Fiscal Year 2009

Results are based on:
603 student responses and 430 supervisor responses.

Four months after training, the extent to which students and supervisors agree that:
Course has improved student job performance:
Students = 92%
Supervisors = 85%.

Course has contributed to student's professional development:
Students = 97%
Supervisors = 95%.

Course has improved performance of the department:
Students = 71%
Supervisors = 87%.

Course helped department address problems in high-risk areas:
Students = 46%
Supervisors = 53%.

Course led to a reduction in fire-related risks within the community:
Students = 36%
Supervisors = 35%.

Would recommend this course to others in the department:
Students = 97%
Supervisors = 97%.

Student has also attended other fire service training in last 3 years:
67% answered yes
33% answered no.

Location of other fire service training:
At a facility in my state = 70.4%
At a regional facility, not in my state = 16.3%
Other = 8.8%.

Note: Percentages may total more than 100%, since respondents are asked to mark all that apply.

Assessment of NFA versus other curriculum materials:
NFA more useful = 34.9%
Other course more useful = 0.9%
Both equally useful = 43.3%.

Percent of students who:
Have applied training on job = 93.7%
Shared training information with colleagues = 96.7%.

Means of sharing training information:
Formally in a training class = 23.0%
Informally, in a group = 47.9%
Informally, one on one = 66.0%.

Note: Percentages may total more than 100%, since respondents are asked to mark all that apply.

Student's highest level of education:
High school or less = 4.9%
Some college = 34.4%
AA degree = 26.9%
Bachelors degree = 25.8%
Graduate degree = 7.1%.

Size of department:
50 members or less = 36.8%
51-200 members = 43.9%
201-1000 members = 12.8%
1001 members or more = 2.7%.

Student suggestions for improving NFA course:
No change needed = 15.0%
More hands-on/practical exercises/scenarios = 7.1%
Update/modify course materials = 4.6%
Lengthen class = 3.3%
Content specific suggestion = 2.9%
Redistribution of class time = 2.7%
General praise of NFA/instructors =  2.7% 
Pre-course materials needed/pre-course prep = 1.6%
Suggestion for class/final project = 1.3%
Instructor issue = 1.3%

Student suggestions for future NFA courses:
Grants/budget issues = 9.3%
Fire fighter safety/health = 4.9%
HR Issues/recruitment/retention = 4.6%
EMS = 3.8%
Terrorism/WMD/Homeland Security = 3.3%
Integrating/coordinating emergency services = 3.3%
Leadership/management skills = 2.6%
Technology = 2.6%
Volunteer versus career issues = 2.4%

Supervisor suggestions for future NFA courses:
Grants/budget issues = 17.5%
HR Issues/recruitment/retention = 6.5%
Leadership/management skills = 5.2%
EMS = 4.0%
Prevention = 3.4%
Integrating/coordinating emergency services = 3.1%
Fire fighter safety/health = 3.1%
Volunteer versus career issues = 2.5%
Technology = 2.2%

Note: Only the top 10 suggestion categories are reported, so percentages may not add to 100%