The ITB is modernising fire service training in Hamburg
The Institute of Technology and Education regards vocational training as a bridge to the world of work. As part of the FLAME transfer project (“Modern and Efficient Career Training for the Fire Service”), the Institute has been supporting the Hamburg Fire Service Academy since January 2024 in making its career training programme for civil servants fit for the future.
From theory straight into practice
At the heart of the project lies the transfer of the ‘learning field’ concept. What is already established in vocational schools within the dual system is being transferred by the ITB (as the transfer provider) in a way that is precisely tailored to the specific, practice-oriented requirements of the Hamburg Fire Service Academy (as the transfer recipient).
A focus on work processes rather than dry theory: instead of rigid subject-based structures, the training is geared towards real-life operational and work processes. To map these precisely, the ITB project team (including Dr Claudia Fenzl, Nils Weinowski and Lisa Meyne) went straight to the front line at the outset and observed day-to-day operations at fire and rescue stations across Hamburg.
Designing learning situations: Through an ongoing, intensive series of workshops, the ITB is equipping Hamburg’s training staff to adapt real, practical operational scenarios for teaching purposes and to design their own competence-building teaching concepts.
Focus on basic training: The modernisation programme specifically targets basic firefighting training in order to train new recruits in a practical, action-oriented manner from day one
The added value
This collaboration exemplifies how scientific expertise in vocational training research directly enhances the safety and efficiency of a modern metropolitan fire service. Through this knowledge transfer, the focus shifts away from mere factual knowledge towards genuine, action-oriented problem-solving skills in operational situations.
Claudia Fenzl, Falk Howe und Lisa Meyne