COURSE INFORMATION VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER TRAINING PROGRAM COURSE INFORMATION
COUR
SE INF
ORMA
TION
VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER TRAINING PROGRAMCOURSE INFORMATION
VFTP COURSE INFORMATIONThis booklet has been produced to provide Volunteers who undertake any firefighting activities
an overview of the Volunteer Firefighter Training Program. You are encouraged to read this
Course Information booklet which outlines transition arrangements, course nominations,
content and prerequisites for Volunteer Firefighters in a structured learning pathway. It also
contains Course Information on current and proposed training programs.
Mission of the FESA Training Centre
To develop high quality training, development and assessment initiatives and practices that
enable Volunteers and Staff to safely, efficiently and effectively carry out their duties.
Commonly used acronyms
AIIMS Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System
BA Breathing Apparatus
BFB Bush Fire Brigade
BFS Bush Fire Service
CBFCO Chief Bush Fire Control Officer
DCBFCO Deputy Chief Bush Fire Control Officer
ECO Entry Control Officer
FCO Fire Control Officer
FRS Fire and Rescue Service
ORR Operational Role Requirement
PPE Personal Protective Equipment
TRK Training Resource Kit
SES State Emergency Service
USAR Urban Search and Rescue
VFTP Volunteer Firefighter Training Program
VTEC Volunteer Training and Education Curriculum
Latest Training News
Keep up with the latest training materials by visiting www.fesa.wa.gov.au.
Click on the ‘Volunteer Portal’ link in the ‘Volunteer’ section and log-in (requires registration).
Click on the ‘Training’ link and, when the page loads, click on ‘Volunteer Firefighter Training’
link.
As new VFTP Courses are developed, this booklet will be updated and distributed to Volunteers
through FESA Regional Offices (in hard copy and pdf).
© The Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia
480 Hay St, Perth, Western Australia, 6000. JUNE 2012
All rights reserved. This work is copyright, no part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in a retrieval
system, in any form or by any means, without prior written permission of the copyright holders. Permission is given to trainers
and assessors to make copies by photocopying templates available in this VFTP Course Information booklet, for use within
their own training and assessment programs (whilst they are acting on behalf of FESA) or in a workplace where the training/
assessment is being conducted. This permission does not extend to the making of copies for use outside the immediate
training environment for which they are made, or the making of copies for hire or resale to third parties.
For permission outside of these guidelines, apply in writing to:
Assistant Chief Operations Officer Professional Development, 547 Dundas Road, Forrestfield, WA 6058.
While every care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this VFTP Course Information booklet is the best
available, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia does not give warranty nor accept any liability in
relation to the content of this work.
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 1
Contents
VFTP COURSE INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
The Volunteer Fire Service Training Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
The history of Volunteer Fire Service Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Transition arrangements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Training Resource Kits (TRKs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Phasing-in period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Course nominations/Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Training and Assessment Code of Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Optional Pathways to National Competencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Training Pathways for Volunteer Firefighters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Benefits of the new Volunteer Firefighter Training Program . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Summary: The Volunteer Firefighter Training Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Training Pathway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Bush Fire Brigade Training Pathway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Volunteer Emergency Service Units and Volunteer Fire Service
Brigades Training Pathway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
COURSE OUTLINES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Volunteer Firefighter Induction . . . . . . . . . . . . FESA 0401 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Introduction to Firefighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FESA 0400B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Introduction to Bush Fire Firefighting . . . . . . FESA 0400A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Bush Fire Firefighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FESA 0400C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Structural Firefighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FESA 0404 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Pump Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FESA 0405 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Introduction to Pump Operations . . . . . . . . . (development commenced) . . . . . 23
Crew Leader Bush Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FESA 0406 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Crew Leader Advanced Bush Fire . . . . . . . . . FESA 0430 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Breathing Apparatus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FESA 0503L3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Entry Control Officer (structural) . . . . . . . . . FESA 0403 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Hazmat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FESA 0410. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Advanced Structural Firefighting . . . . . . . . . . (development commenced) . . . . . 26
Volunteer Compartment Fire Behaviour Training. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (development commenced) . . . . . 26
FESA CPR, Oxygen and Cervical Collar . . . . . FESA 0513. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Senior First Aid (also known as ‘HLTFA1A Apply Basic First Aid’
or ‘HLTFA301B Apply First Aid’) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Road Crash Rescue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FESA 0407 (version B) . . . . . . . . . 27
On-road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FESA 0470 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Off-road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FESA 0017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
SPECIALTY TRAINING / ELECTIVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Chief Bush Fire Control Officer . . . . . . . . . . . FESA 0196. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Fire Control Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FESA 0408 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
FCO Refresher Workshop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FESA 0487L2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Advanced Bush Fire Firefighting . . . . . . . . . . FESA 0420 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Sector Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FESA 0195. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Machine Supervision. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FESA 0004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Machine Operator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (development not yet commenced) 33
Plantation Firefighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FESA 0009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Prescribed Burning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (development commenced) . . . . . 34
AIIMS Awareness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FESA 0205 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Introduction to AIIMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22022 VIC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Incident Controller Level 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (development commenced) . . . . . 35
Structural Firefighting Awareness . . . . . . . . . FESA 0440 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Introduction to Structural Firefighting . . . . . FESA 0414 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Hot Fire Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FESA 027 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Ground Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FESA 0054 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Cat 1 . . . . FESA 0068 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Breathing Apparatus Refresher . . . . . . . . . . . ACT 1362 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Marine Fire Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (development commenced) . . . . . 39
Marine Fire Assessment and Containment . . (development commenced) . . . . . 39
Building Protection Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (development not yet commenced) 40
Discovering the Leader in You . . . . . . . . . . . . FESA 0136. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Engaging your Community for their Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Training and Assessment: Trainer Course . . . Trainer: FESA 0300 . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Training and Assessment: Assessor Course . . Assessor: FESA 0301 . . . . . . . . . . 42
Brigade Management & Brigade Administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (development not yet commenced) 42
Maintain Safety at a FESA Incident Scene . . . FESA 0529 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Confined Space Rescue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (development not yet commenced) 43
Aircraft Incidents Awareness . . . . . . . . . . . . . FESA 0541L1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Respond to Aircraft Incidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . (development not yet commenced) 44
WAERN Basic Radio Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FESA 0452 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
WAERN Advanced Radio Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . FESA 0453 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Incident Management Pathways. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Annex A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program (VFTP)
Transitional Pathway for existing Bush Fire Brigade Volunteers . . . . . . . . . 50
Annex A1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program (VFTP)
Transitional Pathway for existing Fire and Rescue Service Volunteers . . . . 51
The Volunteer Fire Service Training Program
The history of Volunteer Fire Service TrainingWith the formation of FESA in 1999, a single training section was created to manage
all training development related to Volunteers undertaking Firefighting operations.
The role of the Volunteer Training section is to provide the curriculum development
and training support to FESA regions.
Volunteer Firefighter Training ProgramIn 2006, a single curriculum, the Volunteer Firefighter Training Program (VFTP) was
introduced. This has many intrinsic benefits to FESA including increased efficiencies,
consistency and meeting Operational Role Requirements. Refer to the Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQs) on page 49. The benefits to Volunteers includes increased
competencies that enable them to undertake operations safely, efficiently and
confidently.
Information in this booklet is intended as a guide to the purpose and content of
individual training courses in the Volunteer Firefighter Training Program.
Transition arrangementsA key feature of the VFTP is the commitment to continue to recognise and record
training undertaken by volunteers from previous training programs. Existing training
will continue to be recognised.
For volunteers who have an identified gap between the courses (modules) they have
completed in the ‘old’ system and the Operational Role Requirements related to new
training programs for a course in the new system, various methods can be utilised
to address this gap. These methods may include one-on-one validation, small group
training or through Recognition of Prior Learning. Refer to Volunteer website for more
information.
It is important to realise that meeting the prerequisites of some advanced or
specialist training will require the successful completion of ‘gap training’. Refer to the
FAQs: questions 3 and 4 on page 49. Refer to Annex A and Annex A1.
Training Resource Kits (TRKs)TRKs are resources that are used by endorsed FESA Trainer/Assessors to deliver and
assess a particular training course.
Phasing-in periodThe initial implementation commenced on 1 March 2006 and is continuing with
individual TRKs phased in over a six (6) month period regionally, however this will be
dependent on the available resources and the number of potential trainer/assessors.
Course nominations/Prerequisites Training course nominations will require that the participant meets the prerequisites
of that particular course. Local Government/Regions/Course Co-ordinators will have
the discretion to use a participant’s previous training and experience to determine
course nomination priorities. Most nominations usually require approval at brigade/
Local Government (if applicable) and regional level prior to acceptance.
Attendance at courses is also dependent on the particular brigade profile and
therefore not all courses listed in this booklet will be available to all brigades. Refer
to specific pathway flowcharts for FRS, BFS, VES and VFS (see pages 7 to 17).
2 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information
Training and Assessment Code of PracticeAll courses of the VFTP are developed in line with FESA’s Training and Assessment
Code of Practice which is intended to safeguard the interests and welfare of
participants and addresses individual needs. Volunteers should ensure that they
have a current version of FESA’s Code of Practice (small pamphlet) which should be
available at all courses.
CertificationAll training for Volunteer Firefighters will be certified. Participants will receive
either a Record of Attendance, a Record of Training or a Record of Completion, upon
successful completion of a training course.
The results of all formal training undertaken with FESA will be recorded on the TRAIN
database.
It is important to notify the FESA Regional Office of any changes to your personal
details to enable the TRAIN database to be updated.
Optional Pathways to National CompetenciesThe VFTP is developed to a FESA standard which meets Operational Role
Requirements. Once the Volunteer is eligible to receive a Record of Completion in
the relevant course, there may be a pathway to achieving National Competency.
The progression towards recognition in the National Competencies will be optional.
Specific information on these or other options will be detailed in the relevant courses
and also available in the Obtaining National Competencies booklet (available on
request to your relevant FESA Office).
The majority of national competencies (units) are part of ‘PUA20701 Certificate II in
Public Safety (Firefighting Operations)’. Although some of the units of competency are
included in other public safety certificate levels, at present, FESA will generally only
be offering the ‘Certificate II in Public Safety (Firefighting Operations)’ to Volunteer
Firefighters.
Training Pathways for Volunteer FirefightersAlthough the VFTP is an ‘all encompassing menu’ of training courses for all volunteer
firefighters, there are however some very specific ‘skill sets’/learning pathways for the
different volunteer services. To find out which specific training courses are relevant
for you or your brigade, please refer to pages 7–9 for Volunteer Fire and Rescue
Service, pages 11–13 for Bush Fire Brigades, and pages 15–17 for Emergency Service
Units and Volunteer Fire Service.
Benefits of the new Volunteer Firefighter Training Program• Increased level of competencies to enable volunteers to undertake operations
safely, efficiently and confidently.
• Enables full recognition for volunteers who relocate.
• More efficient use of resources in development and delivery.
• Ability to further share limited resources between FESA divisions and interstate.
• New Training Resource Kits developed using consultative process with key
stakeholders and relevant focus groups.
• Ability to add value to volunteers.
• Previous training will continue to be recognised.
• Transition arrangements from previous training will be based on a course by
course basis.
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 3
Summary: The Volunteer Firefighter Training Program
■ Provides a volunteer learning pathway based on risk and meets best
practice requirements.
■ Consistency delivered statewide.
■ Alignment to Operational Role Requirements and brigade/unit profiles.
■ Competencies may be transportable between Operational Services.
■ Optional Pathway to National Competency Standards and Alignment to the
Australian Qualifications Framework.
4 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information
Volu
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Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 5
Volu
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1
6 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information
VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE TRAINING PATHWAY
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 7
8 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information
Volu
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refi
gghti
ngg
Entr
y Co
ntr
ol O
ffic
er
Ha
zma
t
Bre
ath
ing
Ap
pa
ratu
s
Ad
van
ced
Str
uct
ura
lFi
refi
gh
tin
g
Com
ple
ted
A
dva
nce
d S
tru
ctu
ral F
F A
ND
VCF
BT
Vo
lun
teer
Co
mp
art
men
t Fi
re B
ehav
iou
r Tr
ain
ing
V
olu
nte
er C
om
pa
rtm
ent
Fire
Be
hav
iou
r Tr
ain
ing
Note:
Exi
stin
g Tr
aini
ng C
ours
es
will
cont
inue
to b
e ut
ilise
d un
til n
ew
cour
ses h
ave
been
dev
elop
ed.
Trai
ning
pat
hway
s will
be
depe
nden
t on
brig
ade/
unit
profi
le.
Ex
isti
ng
Co
urs
e b
ut
req
uir
es
up
da
tin
g
Ne
w C
ou
rse
Com
me
nce
d
Ex
tern
al P
rovi
de
r
Ne
w C
ou
rse
No
t Co
mm
en
ced
Ne
w C
ou
rse
Com
ple
te
JUN
E 20
12
Volu
ntee
r Fi
re &
Res
cue
Serv
ice
On
-ro
ad
Dri
vin
g
Off
-ro
ad
Dri
vin
g
Stru
ctu
ral
Fire
fig
hti
ng
Pu
mp
Op
era
tio
ns
FESA
Fir
st A
id,
Ox
yge
na
nd
Ce
rvic
al C
oll
ar
Cre
w L
ea
de
rB
ush
Fir
e
Bu
sh F
ire
Fir
efi
gh
tin
g
Vo
lun
tee
r Fi
refi
gh
ter
Ind
uct
ion
Ne
w M
em
be
r
Intr
od
uct
ion
to
Fire
fig
hti
ng
Prof
ile –
Ad
vanc
ed S
truc
tura
l Fi
refi
ghti
ngV
olu
nte
er C
om
pa
rtm
ent
Fire
Beh
avio
ur
Tra
inin
g
Ro
ad
Cra
sh R
esc
ue
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 9
Volu
ntee
r Fi
refig
hter
Tra
inin
g Pr
ogra
m
Note:
Exi
stin
g Tr
aini
ng C
ours
es
will
cont
inue
to b
e ut
ilise
d un
til n
ew
cour
ses h
ave
been
dev
elop
ed.
Trai
ning
pat
hway
s will
be
depe
nden
t on
brig
ade/
unit
profi
le.
Spe
cial
ty T
rain
ing
/ Ele
ctiv
esVo
lunt
eer
Fire
& R
escu
e Se
rvic
e
JUN
E 20
12
Ex
isti
ng
Co
urs
e b
ut
req
uir
es
up
da
tin
g
Ne
w C
ou
rse
Com
me
nce
d
Ex
tern
al P
rovi
de
r
Ne
w C
ou
rse
No
t Co
mm
en
ced
Ne
w C
ou
rse
Com
ple
te
Tra
inin
g a
nd
Ass
ess
me
nt
Eng
ag
ing
yo
ur
Com
mu
nit
y fo
r th
eir
Sa
fety
Ad
van
ced
Bu
sh F
ire
Fi
refi
gh
tin
g
Ho
t Fi
re O
pe
rati
on
s
Intr
od
uct
ion
to
AII
MS
Bre
ath
ing
Ap
pa
ratu
sR
efr
esh
er
Ma
inta
in S
afe
ty a
t a
FE
SA I
nci
de
nt
Sce
ne
Bu
ild
ing
Pro
tect
ion
Syst
em
s
Con
fin
ed
Sp
ace
R
esc
ue
Bri
ga
de
Ma
na
ge
me
nt
&B
rig
ad
e A
dm
inis
tra
tio
n
AII
MS
Aw
are
ne
ss
Dis
cove
rin
g t
he
Le
ad
er
in Y
ou
Re
spo
nd
to
A
ircr
aft
In
cid
en
ts
Air
cra
ft I
nci
de
nts
Aw
are
ne
ss
Ma
rin
e F
ire
Ass
ess
me
nt
an
d C
on
tain
me
nt
Ma
rin
e F
ire
Su
pp
ort
Inci
de
nt
Con
tro
lle
r Le
vel
1
WA
ERN
Ba
sic
Ra
dio
Use
WA
ERN
Ad
van
ced
Ra
dio
Use
10 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information
Notes
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 11Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 11
BUSH FIRE BRIGADE TRAINING PATHWAY
12 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information
Volu
ntee
r Fi
refig
hter
Tra
inin
g Pr
ogra
m
Note:
Exi
stin
g Tr
aini
ng C
ours
es
will
cont
inue
to b
e ut
ilise
d un
til n
ew
cour
ses h
ave
been
dev
elop
ed.
Trai
ning
pat
hway
s will
be
depe
nden
t on
brig
ade/
unit
profi
le.
Ex
isti
ng
Co
urs
e b
ut
req
uir
es
up
da
tin
g
Ne
w C
ou
rse
Com
me
nce
d
Ex
tern
al P
rovi
de
r
Ne
w C
ou
rse
No
t Co
mm
en
ced
Ne
w C
ou
rse
Com
ple
te
JUN
E 20
12
Volu
ntee
r Bu
sh F
ire
Brig
ades
Intr
od
uct
ion
to
B
ush
Fir
e F
ire
fig
hti
ng
Stru
ctu
ral
Fire
fig
hti
ng
Pu
mp
Op
era
tio
nsCr
ew
Le
ad
er
Bu
sh F
ire
Cre
w L
ea
de
rA
dva
nce
d B
ush
Fir
e
On
-ro
ad
Dri
vin
g
Off
-ro
ad
Dri
vin
gCo
mp
lete
d S
tru
ctu
ral F
F O
R In
trod
uct
ion
to
Stru
ctu
ral F
F
Bu
sh F
ire
Fir
efi
gh
tin
g
Vo
lun
tee
r Fi
refi
gh
ter
Ind
uct
ion
Ne
w M
em
be
r
Intr
od
uct
ion
to
Fire
fig
hti
ng
Intr
od
uct
ion
to
P
um
p O
pe
rati
on
s
Sen
ior
Firs
t A
id
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 13
Volu
ntee
r Fi
refig
hter
Tra
inin
g Pr
ogra
m
Note:
Exi
stin
g Tr
aini
ng C
ours
es
will
cont
inue
to b
e ut
ilise
d un
til n
ew
cour
ses h
ave
been
dev
elop
ed.
Trai
ning
pat
hway
s will
be
depe
nden
t on
brig
ade/
unit
profi
le.
JUN
E 20
12
Ex
isti
ng
Co
urs
e b
ut
req
uir
es
up
da
tin
g
Ne
w C
ou
rse
Com
me
nce
d
Ex
tern
al P
rovi
de
r
Ne
w C
ou
rse
No
t Co
mm
en
ced
Ne
w C
ou
rse
Com
ple
te
Spe
cial
ty T
rain
ing
/ Ele
ctiv
es
Fire
Co
ntr
ol
Off
ice
rTr
ain
ing
an
d A
sse
ssm
en
t
Eng
ag
ing
yo
ur
Com
mu
nit
y fo
r th
eir
Sa
fety
Dis
cove
rin
g t
he
Le
ad
er
in Y
ou
Ma
chin
e S
up
erv
isio
n
Sect
or
Com
ma
nd
er
Ad
van
ced
Bu
sh F
ire
Fi
refi
gh
tin
g
Chie
f B
ush
Fir
e
Con
tro
l Off
ice
rH
ot
Fire
Op
era
tio
ns
Intr
od
uct
ion
to
AII
MS
Urb
an
Se
arc
h a
nd
Re
scu
e(U
SAR
) Ca
t 1
Pre
scri
be
d B
urn
ing
Gro
un
d C
on
tro
lle
r
Stru
ctu
ral
Fire
fig
hti
ng
A
wa
ren
ess
AII
MS
Aw
are
ne
ss
Ma
inta
in S
afe
ty a
t a
FE
SA I
nci
de
nt
Sce
ne
Volu
ntee
r Bu
sh F
ire
Brig
ades
Pla
nta
tio
n F
ire
fig
hti
ng
Ma
chin
e O
pe
rato
rB
rig
ad
e M
an
ag
em
en
t &
Bri
ga
de
Ad
min
istr
ati
on
Intr
od
uct
ion
to
Stru
ctu
ral
Fire
fig
hti
ng
Re
spo
nd
to
A
ircr
aft
In
cid
en
ts
Air
cra
ft I
nci
de
nts
Aw
are
ne
ss
Fire
Co
ntr
ol
Off
ice
r R
efr
esh
er
Wo
rksh
op
Inci
de
nt
Con
tro
lle
r Le
vel
1
FESA
Fir
st A
id,
Ox
yge
na
nd
Ce
rvic
al C
oll
ar
WA
ERN
Ba
sic
Ra
dio
Use
WA
ERN
Ad
van
ced
Ra
dio
Use
14 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information
Notes
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 15
VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY SERVICE UNITS AND VOLUNTEER FIRE SERVICE BRIGADES TRAINING PATHWAY
Volu
ntee
r Fi
refig
hter
Tra
inin
g Pr
ogra
m
Entr
y Co
ntr
ol O
ffic
er
Ha
zma
t
Bre
ath
ing
Ap
pa
ratu
s
Ad
van
ced
Str
uct
ura
lFi
refi
gh
tin
g
Vo
lun
teer
Co
mp
art
men
t Fi
re B
ehav
iou
r Tr
ain
ing
Com
ple
ted
A
dva
nce
d S
tru
ctu
ral F
F A
ND
VCF
BT
Prof
ile –
Ad
vanc
ed S
truc
tura
l Fi
refi
ghti
ng
Ro
ad
Cra
sh R
esc
ue
Note:
Exi
stin
g Tr
aini
ng C
ours
es
will
cont
inue
to b
e ut
ilise
d un
til n
ew
cour
ses h
ave
been
dev
elop
ed.
Trai
ning
pat
hway
s will
be
depe
nden
t on
brig
ade/
unit
profi
le.
Ex
isti
ng
Co
urs
e b
ut
req
uir
es
up
da
tin
g
Ne
w C
ou
rse
Com
me
nce
d
Ex
tern
al P
rovi
de
r
Ne
w C
ou
rse
No
t Co
mm
en
ced
Ne
w C
ou
rse
Com
ple
te
JUN
E 20
12
Volu
ntee
r Em
erge
ncy
Serv
ice
Uni
ts
and
Fire
Ser
vice
Bri
gade
s
Stru
ctu
ral
Fire
fig
hti
ng Pu
mp
Op
era
tio
ns
Com
ple
ted
Str
uct
ura
l FF
OR
Intr
odu
ctio
n t
o St
ruct
ura
l FF
Bu
sh F
ire
Fir
efi
gh
tin
g
Vo
lun
tee
r Fi
refi
gh
ter
Ind
uct
ion
Ne
w M
em
be
r
Intr
od
uct
ion
to
Fire
fig
hti
ng
Cre
w L
ea
de
rB
ush
Fir
e
On
-ro
ad
Dri
vin
g
Off
-ro
ad
Dri
vin
g
FESA
Fir
st A
id,
Ox
yge
na
nd
Ce
rvic
al C
oll
ar
16 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information
Volu
ntee
r Fi
refig
hter
Tra
inin
g Pr
ogra
m
Note:
Exi
stin
g Tr
aini
ng C
ours
es
will
cont
inue
to b
e ut
ilise
d un
til n
ew
cour
ses h
ave
been
dev
elop
ed.
Trai
ning
pat
hway
s will
be
depe
nden
t on
brig
ade/
unit
profi
le.
JUN
E 20
12
Ex
isti
ng
Co
urs
e b
ut
req
uir
es
up
da
tin
g
Ne
w C
ou
rse
Com
me
nce
d
Ex
tern
al P
rovi
de
r
Ne
w C
ou
rse
No
t Co
mm
en
ced
Ne
w C
ou
rse
Com
ple
te
AII
MS
Aw
are
ne
ss
Tra
inin
g a
nd
Ass
ess
me
nt
Eng
ag
ing
yo
ur
Com
mu
nit
y fo
r th
eir
Sa
fety
Ad
van
ced
Bu
sh F
ire
Fi
refi
gh
tin
g
Ho
t Fi
re O
pe
rati
on
s
Intr
od
uct
ion
to
AII
MS
Bre
ath
ing
Ap
pa
ratu
sR
efr
esh
er
Ma
inta
in S
afe
ty a
t a
FE
SA I
nci
de
nt
Sce
ne
Bu
ild
ing
Pro
tect
ion
Syst
em
s
Con
fin
ed
Sp
ace
R
esc
ue
Spe
cial
ty T
rain
ing
/ Ele
ctiv
es
Volu
ntee
r Em
erge
ncy
Serv
ice
Uni
ts
and
Fire
Ser
vice
Bri
gade
s
Dis
cove
rin
g t
he
Le
ad
er
in Y
ou
Urb
an
Se
arc
h a
nd
Re
scu
e(U
SAR
) Ca
t 1
Cre
w L
ea
de
r A
dva
nce
d B
ush
Fir
e
Sen
ior
Firs
t A
id
Bri
ga
de
Ma
na
ge
me
nt
&B
rig
ad
e A
dm
inis
tra
tio
n
Re
spo
nd
to
A
ircr
aft
In
cid
en
ts
Air
cra
ft I
nci
de
nts
Aw
are
ne
ss
Inci
de
nt
Con
tro
lle
r Le
vel
1
WA
ERN
Ba
sic
Ra
dio
Use
WA
ERN
Ad
van
ced
Ra
dio
Use
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 17
18 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information
Notes
COURSE OUTLINES
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 19
20 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information
Course Outlines
Volunteer Firefighter Induction FESA 0401
Purpose
To provide the new or prospective
volunteer member with an introduction
to the roles and responsibilities of a
Volunteer Firefighter, enabling them to
progress to other training programs and
to successfully provide a professional
service to the community as a Volunteer
Firefighter.
Course content• Introduction to Volunteer Fire Services.
• Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service.
• Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades.
• Volunteer Emergency Service Units.
Note: All participants will be required to complete Section 1 and at least one other
Section, depending on which Volunteer Brigade/Unit they have joined.
Duration The course can be delivered in a classroom environment in approximately 2 hours by
a trainer. It is also available in a local ‘self-paced’ format.
PrerequisitesParticipants should be registered volunteers or have completed the appropriate
registration/application forms.
Introduction to Firefighting FESA 0400B
Purpose
To provide volunteer firefighters with
the appropriate knowledge and skills to
undertake firefighting operations safely,
efficiently and confidently.
Course content• Teamwork and safety.
• Basic fire theory.
• Incident command and control.
• Radio communications.
• Use and maintain equipment.
Duration1·5 days.
Combined theory and practical.
PrerequisitesParticipants must be registered volunteers and have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Volunteer Firefighter Induction’.
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 21
Course Outlines
Introduction to Bush Fire Firefighting FESA 0400A
Purpose
This course is primarily aimed at pastoral
and farmer response brigades.
To provide volunteer firefighters with
the appropriate knowledge and skills to
undertake bush fire firefighting operations
safely, efficiently and confidently.
Course content• Teamwork and safety.
• Bush fire behaviour.
• Bush fire suppression.
• Bush fire safety awareness.
• Incident command and control.
• Radio communications A.
• Maps A.
Duration1 day.
Theory only.
Note: It is recommended that participants be registered volunteers.
Bush Fire Firefighting FESA 0400C
Purpose
To provide volunteer firefighters with
the appropriate knowledge and skills to
undertake bush fire firefighting operations
safely, efficiently and confidently.
Course content• Bush fire behaviour.
• Bush fire suppression.
• Map reading.
• Bush fire safety awareness.
• Hand tools.
Duration1 day.
Combined theory and practical.
PrerequisitesParticipants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Introduction to Firefighting’.
22 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information
Course Outlines
Structural Firefighting FESA 0404
Purpose
To provide volunteer firefighters with
the appropriate knowledge and skills to
undertake external, defensive firefighting
operations safely, efficiently and
confidently.
Course content• Proceeding to the fire.
• Structural fire behaviour.
• Extinguishing methods (includes fire extinguishers).
• Ancillary equipment (includes ropes, knots, lines and ladders).
• Combating structural fires.
• Ancillary operations.
Duration2 days.
Combined theory and practical.
PrerequisitesParticipants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Bush Fire Firefighting’.
Pump Operations FESA 0405
Purpose
To provide volunteer firefighters with
an understanding of pumps, how they
operate, common faults and how to
correct these.
Course content• Pump hydraulics.
• Pump principles.
• Fire service pumps.
• Pump ancillary equipment.
• Practical pumping.
• Pump fault-finding.
• Pumping with foam.
Duration2 days.
Combined theory and practical.
PrerequisitesParticipants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Structural Firefighting’
or
• VFTP ‘Introduction to Structural Firefighting’.
Previous Training and ExperienceA participant will gain maximum benefit from this course if they have been an active
brigade member for at least two years.
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 23
Course Outlines
Crew Leader Bush Fire FESA 0406
Purpose
To provide Crew Leaders with the
knowledge and skills required to work
autonomously in leading their crew or
controlling a small bush fire incident
—safely, effectively and efficiently—
using the principles of the Australasian
Inter-Service Incident Management
System (AIIMS).
Course content• Role and responsibility of a Crew Leader.
• Scheduling and monitoring crew performance.
• Principles of AIIMS and management structure.
• Effective crew management and briefings.
• Consultation, communication and planning.
Duration1 day. Requires completion of pre-course theory questionnaire.
Combined theory and table-top group exercises.
PrerequisitesParticipants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Introduction to Bush Fire Firefighting’ or VFTP ‘Bush Fire Firefighting’.
Previous Training and ExperienceA participant will gain maximum benefit from this course if they have:
• successfully completed VFTP ‘Advanced Bush Fire Firefighting’ or equivalent (see
page 31)
and
• been an active brigade member for at least two years.
Introduction to Pump Operations (development commenced)
Purpose
This course is aimed primarily at rural and
settlement brigades.
To provide volunteer firefighters with an
overview and understanding of pumps, how
they operate, common faults and how to
correct these.
Proposed course content
• Pump hydraulics.
• Pump principles.
• Fire service pumps.
• Pump ancillary equipment.
• Practical pumping.
• Pump fault-finding.
• Pumping with foam.
Duration1 day.
Combined theory and practical.
Proposed prerequisites
Participants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Introduction to Bush Fire Firefighting’ or VFTP ‘Bush Fire Firefighting’.
Previous Training and ExperienceA participant will gain maximum benefit from this course if they have:
• successfully completed VFTP ‘Introduction to Structural Firefighting’
or VFTP ‘Structural Firefighting’
and
• been an active brigade member for at least two years.
24 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information
Course Outlines
Breathing Apparatus FESA 0503L3
Purpose
To provide firefighters with the
appropriate knowledge and skills to
operate Breathing Apparatus (BA)
safely, efficiently and confidently, and to
undertake the role of Entry Control Officer
(ECO) at an incident other than hazmat.
Course content• Respiratory and circulatory systems, and irrespirable atmospheres.
• Characteristics, component parts and rules for BA.
• Pre-donning checks, testing, safe use and closing down of BA.
• Servicing and fault reporting for BA.
• BA operating procedures, entry control procedures, moving in smoke and darkness.
• Entrapment procedures.
Note: This course covers the use of BA set Draeger PSS 7000.
Duration2 days. Combined theory and practical with various delivery options.
PrerequisitesParticipants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Structural Firefighting’.
Note: Firefighters who wear Breathing Apparatus must have facial hair trimmed to
comply with Australian Standard 1715:2009.
Certification for participants
Upon successful completion of the ‘Breathing Apparatus’ training course and theory/
practical assessment, the participant will receive a FESA ‘Record of Completion’ for
‘Breathing Apparatus’ and entry into the TRAIN database for ‘Entry Control Officer’.
Note: This course does not meet the criteria for participants to be Hazmat ECOs.
Crew Leader Advanced Bush Fire FESA 0430
Purpose
To provide potential or appointed crew
leaders, level 1 incident controllers
or senior volunteer firefighters with
‘advanced’ knowledge and skills to work as
a member of a team when suppressing a
bush fire, in some situations without direct
supervision.
ContentThis course comprises a combination of the following courses:
• Advanced Bush Fire Firefighting (or equivalent) and
• Crew Leader Bush Fire.
Please note: that if you have completed both of these courses you will be awarded
the new competency (for this course) ‘Crew Leader Advanced Bush Fire’. If you have
only completed one of the above courses, you only have to complete the missing
course and you will also be awarded the new competency.
Duration2 days. Combined theory and table-top group exercises. Requires the completion of a
pre-course theory questionnaire for the ‘Crew Leader Bush Fire’ component of the course.
PrerequisitesParticipants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Introduction to Bush Fire Firefighting’ or VFTP ‘Bush Fire Firefighting’.
Previous Training and ExperienceA participant will gain maximum benefit from this course if they have:
• successfully completed VFTP ‘AIIMS Awareness’.
and
• been an active brigade member for approximately three years.
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 25
Course Outlines
Entry Control Officer (structural) FESA 0403
Purpose
To provide firefighters with the
appropriate knowledge and skills to
undertake the role of Entry Control Officer
(ECO) at an incident other than hazmat.
Course content• Respiratory and circulatory systems, and
irrespirable atmospheres.
• Characteristics, component parts and rules
for BA.
• Pre-donning checks, testing, safe use and
closing down of BA.
• Servicing and fault reporting for BA.
• BA operating procedures, entry control
procedures, moving in smoke and darkness.
• Entrapment procedures.
Duration2 days. Combined theory and practical with various delivery options.
Note: The Entry Control Officer competency is achieved through attendance at the
Volunteer Breathing Apparatus (FESA 0503L3) course.
PrerequisitesParticipants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Introduction to Structural Firefighting’
or
• VFTP ‘Structural Firefighting’.
Certification for participants
Participants wishing to be Entry Control Officers only must complete the full two day
Breathing Apparatus course without the requirement to wear Breathing Apparatus.
On successful completion of all assessment requirements that do not require wearing
BA, they will receive a FESA Record of Completion for ‘Entry Control Officer’.
Note: This course does not meet the criteria for participants to be Hazmat ECOs.
Hazmat FESA 0410
Purpose
To provide volunteer firefighters with the
appropriate knowledge and skills to render
hazardous materials safe and to employ
personal protection at a hazardous incident.
Note: Participants who are deemed competent at the completion of the course will
be issued with a FESA Record of Completion for Hazmat which will include
recognition for Hazmat Entry Control Officer.
Course content• Breathing apparatus protection.
• Hazmat management.
• Chemical protective clothing.
• Identifying hazardous materials.
• Hazmat recovery procedures.
• Decontamination procedures.
• Special risk hazmat procedures.
Duration2 days.
Combined theory and practical.
Prerequisites Participants must have successfully completed and be current in:
• VFTP ‘Breathing Apparatus’.
26 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information
Course Outlines
Advanced Structural Firefighting (development commenced)
Volunteer Compartment Fire Behaviour Training (development commenced)
Purpose
To provide volunteer firefighters with
the knowledge and skills to undertake
offensive structural firefighting activities
which may involve low to medium impact
structural environments and may include
multi-storey buildings, large commercial
or industrial complexes.
Purpose
To provide volunteer firefighters with the
knowledge and skills to recognise and
combat fire behaviour in compartments.
Proposed course content• Structural hazards at low to medium impact structural environments.
• Ventilation techniques.
• Introduction to fire detection equipment, alarms, detectors and sprinkler
systems.
• Rescue techniques in complex structural incident situations.
• Advanced entry procedures.
• Practical compartment fire behaviour training.
DurationApproximately 2 days but is yet to be determined (conducted at the FESA Training
Centre, Forrestfield, Perth).
Combined theory and practical.
Prerequisites Participants must have successfully completed and be current in:
• VFTP ‘Breathing Apparatus’.
Previous Training and ExperienceA participant will gain maximum benefit from this course if they have been an active
brigade member for at least two years.
Proposed course content• Combustion process and behaviour of fire gases in a compartment.
• Fire development in compartments.
• Fire behaviour in compartments including flashover and backdraught.
• Risk factors associated with fire behaviour in compartments.
• Firefighting techniques used to reduce the risk of fire behaviour in
compartments.
• Appropriate compartment firefighting techniques.
DurationTotal duration of 2 days (or equivalent hours) with various delivery options.
Prerequisites Participants must have successfully completed and be current in:
• VFTP ‘Breathing Apparatus’.
Certification
On successful completion of this course, participants will receive a Record of
Completion for Volunteer Compartment Fire Behaviour Training.
Note: To meet the Operational Role Requirements of an Advanced Structural
Firefighter, Volunteers must successfully complete both ‘Volunteer Compartment
Fire Behaviour Training’ and ‘Advanced Structural Firefighting’ courses.
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 27
Course Outlines
FESA CPR, Oxygen and Cervical Collar FESA 0513
Purpose
To provide volunteer firefighters with
the level of first aid training that relates
to their brigade/unit operational role
requirement. This will vary between Bush
Fire Brigades, Emergency Service Units
and Volunteer FRS brigades.
Course content• DRABCD and recovery position.
• Respiratory system.
• Circulatory system (CPR).
• Fractures and soft tissue injuries.
• Use and practical application of Oxy Viva.
• Use and practice of Cervical Collar.
Duration1 day.
Prerequisites As this particular course is conducted by St John Ambulance there are no pre-course
requirements.
Certification
Upon successful completion of this one day customised course St John Ambulance will
issue a statement of attainment for ‘Perform CPR, HLTCPR201’.
Senior First Aid (also known as ‘HLTFA1A Apply Basic First Aid’ or
‘HLTFA301B Apply First Aid’)
The duration is normally 2 days. The course is also available in a flexible (CD-ROM)
delivery format. Refer to a First Aid training provider for details.
Road Crash Rescue FESA 0407 (version B)
Purpose
To provide volunteer firefighters with
the knowledge and skills to conduct
road crash rescue activities including
preparing and maintaining rescue
equipment, establishing and maintaining
rescue scene safety, managing casualties,
removing casualties from entrapment
and concluding rescue operations and
debriefing.
Course content• Road crash rescue.
• Rescue equipment.
• Vehicle construction.
• Characteristics of road crashes.
• Safety of the scene.
• Casualty management.
• The spine.
• Working with Rescue 1.
Duration2 days. Requires completion of pre-course theory questionnaire.
Combined theory and practical.
Prerequisites Participants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Introduction to Firefighting’.
Previous Training and ExperienceA participant will gain maximum benefit from this course if they have completed:
• ‘Senior First Aid’ or ‘HLTFA1A Apply Basic First Aid’ or ‘HLTFA301B Apply First Aid’
or
• ‘FESA CPR, Oxygen and Cervical Collar (FESA 0513)’
or
• An equivalent or higher first aid qualification.
28 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information
Course Outlines
Off-road Driving FESA 0017
Purpose
To provide volunteers with the knowledge
and skills to drive vehicles off road safely
and efficiently.
Course content• Vehicle manoeuvring.
• Basic all wheel drive vehicles and driving principles.
• Stall recovery.
• Steep ascents and descents.
• Cross country driving.
• Negotiating obstacles.
• Basic vehicle recovery.
DurationApproximately 2 days. Duration will depend on the location of the training and the
Instructor/Participant ratio. Combined theory and practical.
Prerequisites Participants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘On-road Driving’
and
• hold a current and appropriate vehicle driver’s license for the particular brigade
or unit vehicle that they will be driving.
On-road Driving FESA 0470
Purpose
To provide volunteers with the knowledge
and skills to drive vehicles safely,
including the systematic, safe and
efficient control of all vehicle functions
and effective management of hazardous
situations under operational conditions.
Course content• Vehicle support systems.
• Pre-use checks.
• Emergency vehicle legislation.
• Defensive driving.
• Trailers (optional).
DurationApproximately 2 days. Requires the completion of a pre-course questionnaire/
assignment. Duration will depend on the location of the training and the Instructor/
Participant ratio. Combined theory and practical.
Prerequisites Participants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Bush Fire Firefighting’
and
• hold a current and appropriate vehicle driver’s license for the particular brigade
or unit vehicle that they will be driving.
Note: The previous training course that met the above requirements was the
‘Introduction to Driving’ (FESA 0016) training program.
SPECIALTY TRAINING / ELECTIVES
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 29
30 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information
Specialty Training/Electives
Fire Control Officer FESA 0408
Purpose
To provide potential or appointed FCOs
with the knowledge and skills required to
undertake their role in a local government.
Course content• WA Fire Services.
• Legislation, powers and authority.
• The role of the Fire Control Officer (FCO).
• Permits.
• Principles of AIIMS.
• Bush fire incident arrangements.
• Occupational Health and Safety.
• Local issues.
Duration1·5 days. Combined theory and table-top group exercises.
Previous Training and ExperienceA participant will gain maximum benefit from this course if they have:
• successfully completed VFTP ‘Introduction to Firefighting’ and VFTP ‘Bush Fire
Firefighting’
or
• successfully completed VFTP ‘Introduction to Bush Fire Firefighting’.
and
• been an active brigade member for approximately five years, except for
non-control positions.
Note: This training now incorporates the December 2009 legislative changes/updates.
Chief Bush Fire Control Officer FESA 0196
Purpose
To provide CBFCOs, DCBFCOs and FCOs
with a knowledge base involving the
identification of incident levels and the
need to implement appropriate escalation
strategies for major bush fire incident
management. This training will give
participants the skills and knowledge to
implement strategies/actions they will be
required to take in the event of a major
bush fire incident.
This course is primarily aimed at rural and
settlement brigade areas.
Course content• Principles of AIIMS.
• Understanding incident levels.
• Triggers to guide escalation considerations.
• The role of the CBFCO.
• Incident management considerations for CBFCOs.
Duration1 day.
Combined theory and table-top group exercises.
Previous Training and ExperienceA participant will gain maximum benefit from this course if they have:
• successfully completed the ‘Fire Control Officer’ course
and
• been an active brigade member for approximately five years.
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 31
Specialty Training/Electives
FCO Refresher Workshop FESA 0487L2
Advanced Bush Fire Firefighting FESA 0420
Purpose
To provide appointed Fire Control Officers
with updated information, knowledge and
skills to undertake their role in a Local
Government.
Note: This course includes the most recent
amendments to the Bush Fires Act of
December 2009.
Purpose
To provide volunteer firefighters with
advanced knowledge of bush fire
behaviour and suppression that builds on
their current competencies as a ‘Bush Fire
Firefighter’.
Note: This course replaces ‘2.28 – Wildfire
Behaviour 2’ and ‘2.29 – Wildfire Suppression 2’.
Course Content• Bush fire legislation.
• Role and powers of a Fire Control Officer.
• Permits.
• AIIMS update.
• Bush fire incident arrangements.
• Local issues.
Duration5 hours.
PrerequisitesParticipants must have:
• successfully completed VFTP ‘Fire Control Officer’ training course
and
• been an active brigade member for approximately five years, except for
non-control positions.
It is recommended that if participants have not completed the VFTP ‘Fire Control
Officer’ training program in the previous 10 years they attend the full ‘Fire Control
Officer’ course.
Course Content• Travelling to the fire.
• Characteristics of fire behaviour.
• Weather and fire behaviour.
• Topography and fire behaviour.
• Fire suppression techniques in different fuel types.
• Backburning and burning out.
• Procedures for coordinating mopping up a bush fire.
• Fire ground safety.
Duration1.5 days. Combined theory and table-top exercises.
PrerequisitesParticipants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Introduction to Bush Fire Firefighting’
or
• VFTP ‘Bush Fire Firefighting’.
Previous Training and ExperienceA participant will gain maximum benefit from this course if they have been an active
brigade member for approximately three years.
32 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information
Specialty Training/Electives
Machine Supervision FESA 0004
Purpose
To provide volunteer firefighters with the
knowledge and skills to supervise and
assist machine operations at an incident.
Machines may include dozers, graders,
front end loaders or a tractor with plough.
Course content• Machines in fire control operations.
• Role of machine supervisors.
• Machines used in fireline construction.
• Techniques for bush fire attack.
• Location and construction of fire control lines.
• Mop-up and rehabilitation.
• Pre-planning and use of machines.
• Briefings and monitoring performance.
Duration1 day. Combined theory and group exercises.
Requires the completion of a pre-course assignment.
Prerequisites Participants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Bush Fire Firefighting’.
Previous Training and ExperienceA participant will gain maximum benefit from this course if they have:
• successfully completed VFTP ‘Crew Leader Bush Fire’ or VFTP ‘Sector Commander’
• successfully completed VFTP ‘Advanced Bush Fire Firefighting’
and
• been an active brigade member for three years.
Sector Commander FESA 0195
Purpose
To provide Sector Commanders with the
knowledge and skills to command a sector
at an incident safely, effectively and
efficiently, using the principles of AIIMS.
Course content• Principles of sectorisation and the roles and responsibilities of a Sector Commander.
• Incident management.
• Communications planning.
• Situation Reports.
• Incident Briefings.
• Managing a sector.
Duration2 days. Combined theory and table-top group exercises.
Prerequisites Participants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Bush Fire Firefighting’.
Previous Training and ExperienceA participant will gain maximum benefit from this course if they have:
• successfully completed VFTP ‘Crew Leader Bush Fire’
• successfully completed VFTP ‘Advanced Bush Fire Firefighting’
and
• successfully completed VFTP ‘AIIMS Awareness’ or VFTP ‘Introduction to AIIMS’
and
• been an active brigade member for approximately three to four years.
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 33
Specialty Training/Electives
Machine Operator (development not yet commenced)
Purpose
To provide machine operators with
the knowledge and skills to safely and
efficiently operate machinery at an
incident. Machines may include dozers,
graders, front end loaders or a tractor
with plough.
Proposed course content• Machines in fire control operations.
• Role of machine operators.
• Personal protective equipment.
• Machines used in fireline construction.
• Techniques for bush fire attack.
• Location and construction of fire control lines.
• Mop-up and rehabilitation.
• Pre-planning and use of machines.
• Briefings and monitoring performance.
Duration1–2 days. Combined theory and practical (yet to be determined).
Prerequisites Participants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Introduction to Bush Fire Firefighting’ or equivalent.
Note: DEC have a machine operators course available which is 2.5 days in duration.
For course details and availability call the DEC Training Officer in Bunbury on
9725 5994.
Plantation Firefighting FESA 0009
Purpose
To provide volunteer firefighters who
undertake plantation firefighting with
the knowledge and skills to safely and
effectively undertake the relevant
suppression techniques.
Course content• Plantation fuel characteristics.
• Plantation life cycles.
• Weather factors in plantations of different ages.
• Plantation management practices.
• Methods of fire suppression in plantation fires.
• Hose lay and relay pumping in plantations.
• Hand tools in plantations.
Duration1 day.
Combined theory and practical.
Prerequisites Participants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Bush Fire Firefighting’.
Previous Training and ExperienceA participant will gain maximum benefit from this course if they have been an active
brigade member for two to three years.
34 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information
Specialty Training/Electives
AIIMS Awareness FESA 0205
Purpose
To provide participants with an overview of
the principles and processes underpinning
the Australasian Inter-Service Incident
Management System (AIIMS) and how
AIIMS is applied in an operational context.
Course content• State Emergency Management Arrangements.
• Hazard Management Agencies (HMA).
• AIIMS principles.
• AIIMS management by function.
• Incident management structure.
• T-cards.
• Briefings and debriefings.
DurationApproximately 4 hours.
Combined theory and table-top group exercises.
Prerequisites Participants should be a registered FESA volunteer or person appropriately nominated
by FESA.
Previous Training and ExperienceA participant will gain maximum benefit from this course if they have:
• successfully completed VFTP ‘Volunteer Firefighter Induction’
and VFTP ‘Introduction to Firefighting’
and
• been an active brigade member for one year.
Prescribed Burning (development commenced)
Purpose
To provide volunteer firefighters with the
knowledge and skills to allow them to
plan and undertake prescribed burns in
a variety of fuel types and locations, in a
safe and efficient manner.
Proposed course content• Agency policies for prescribed burns.
• Conditions and fire behaviours in prescribed burning.
• Weather conditions.
• Ignition techniques.
• Planning for prescribed burns.
• Prescribed burning procedures.
Proposed duration2 days. There is a pre-course activity component and a post-course practical activity
to plan and conduct a prescribed burn.
Proposed prerequisites Participants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Advanced Bush Fire Firefighting’ (or equivalent, see page 31)
and
• VFTP ‘Crew Leader Bush Fire’ or VFTP ‘Sector Commander’.
Previous Training and ExperienceA participant will gain maximum benefit from this course if they have:
• successfully completed VFTP ‘AIIMS Awareness’ or equivalent
and
• been an active brigade member for three to four years.
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 35
Specialty Training/Electives
Introduction to AIIMS 22022 VIC
Purpose
To provide for and ensure a uniform
level of training for the management and
appropriate response to incidents using
the Australasian Inter-Service Incident
Management System (AIIMS).
Course content• Principles and benefits of AIIMS.
• Concepts of AIIMS.
• Incident control and management.
• Operations.
• Planning.
• Logistics.
• Incident Action Planning.
• Communication and changeovers.
Duration2 days. Combined theory and table-top group exercises, plus post-course assessments.
Prerequisites Participants should be a registered FESA volunteer or person appropriately nominated
by FESA.
Previous Training and ExperienceA participant will gain maximum benefit from this course if they have:
• successfully completed VFTP ‘Bush Fire Firefighting’ and VFTP ‘AIIMS Awareness’
• successfully completed VFTP ‘Crew Leader Bush Fire’ or VFTP ‘Sector Commander’
and
• been an active brigade member for three to four years.
Incident Controller Level 1 (development commenced)
Statement of intent
FESA are currently reviewing incident management pathways for operational
personnel at all levels of incidents. Training courses will be developed to
meet the incident command competencies for operational personnel once
the competencies/pathways have been finalised.
Refer to the last section in the booklet regarding Incident Management
pathways.
36 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information
Specialty Training/Electives
Introduction to Structural Firefighting FESA 0414
Purpose
To provide volunteer firefighters with
the appropriate knowledge and skills to
undertake external defensive firefighting
operations safely, efficiently and
confidently.
This course is primarily aimed at
rural and settlement bush fire brigades.
Course content• Proceeding to the fire.
• Structural fire behaviour.
• Extinguishing methods (includes fire extinguishers).
• Ancillary equipment.
• Combating structural fires.
• Ancillary operations.
Note: There is no theory or practical for ropes, lines, knots or ladders.
Duration1 day.
Combined theory and practical.
PrerequisitesParticipants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Bush Fire Firefighting’.
Note: Transition training is available if a person wishes to gain the ‘Structural
Firefighting’ competency.
Structural Firefighting Awareness FESA 0440
Purpose
To provide volunteer firefighters with an
overview and introduction to structural
firefighting with the emphasis being on
safety and not necessarily on suppression.
This course is primarily aimed at
pastoral / farmer response and some rural
brigades.
Course content• Introduction to structural firefighting awareness.
• Principles of fire attack—RECEO VES (Rescue, Exposures, Containment,
Extinguishment, Overhaul, Ventilation, Environment, Salvage).
• Structural firefighting hazards.
• Motor vehicle fire hazards.
DurationApproximately 2 hours.
Theory only.
Previous Training and ExperienceA participant will gain maximum benefit from this course if they have:
• successfully completed VFTP ‘Bush Fire Firefighting’
or
• successfully completed VFTP ‘Introduction to Bush Fire Firefighting’.
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 37
Specialty Training/Electives
Hot Fire Operations FESA 027
Purpose
To provide volunteer firefighters with
practical ‘hands-on’ hot fire firefighting
experience utilising various hot fire
practical activities/scenarios.
Course content• Work effectively in a firefighting team.
• Wear appropriate PPE and promote occupational safety and health practices.
• Communicate effectively using signals and commands.
• Correctly use and maintain firefighting equipment (hoses, branches and ancillary
equipment).
• Gain an appreciation of special risk situations.
Duration2 days. Conducted at the FESA Training Centre, Forrestfield, Perth.
Combined theory and practical.
Prerequisites Participants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Structural Firefighting’
or
• VFTP ‘Introduction to Structural Firefighting’.
Previous Training and ExperienceA participant will gain maximum benefit from this course if they have been an active
brigade member for two to three years and have undertaken revision of hose skills/
drills at their brigade prior to the course.
Ground Controller FESA 0054
Purpose
To provide volunteer firefighters with
knowledge and skills to undertake the role
of a Ground Controller directing aircraft to
a drop zone at a bush fire.
Course content• Role and responsibilities of a Ground
Controller.
• Aircraft types and capabilities.
• Aerial suppressants.
• Ground crew safety.
• Water bombing terminology.
• Strategies and tactics.
• Radio procedures for contacting aircraft.
Duration4 hours. Combined theory and table-top group exercises.
Prerequisites Participants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Bush Fire Firefighting’.
Previous Training and ExperienceA participant will gain maximum benefit from this course if they have:
• successfully completed VFTP ‘Crew Leader Bush Fire’
or VFTP ‘Sector Commander’
and
• successfully completed VFTP ‘Advanced Bush Fire Firefighting’
and
• been an active brigade member for two to three years.
38 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information
Specialty Training/Electives
Breathing Apparatus Refresher ACT 1362
Purpose
To maintain Volunteer Firefighters
competencies to operate Breathing
Apparatus safely efficiently and
confidently.
Course Content• Respiratory system.
• Wearing procedures for breathing apparatus
(including the wearing of Flash-hoods and buddy breathing).
• Search procedures.
• BA control procedures.
• Ancillary equipment.
Duration• The course can take between 2–5 hours, dependent upon the training delivery
methodology adopted and the participants’ experience level. Combined theory
and practical.
PrerequisitesParticipants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Breathing Apparatus’.
CertificationThere is no formal Certification for this Training Course, however successful participants’
training records will be updated at Regional Level and your BA currency extended for
another 12 months.
Note: Firefighters who wear Breathing Apparatus must have facial hair trimmed to
comply with Australian Standard 1715:2009.
It is currently a FESA requirement for Volunteers to complete at least one
‘Breathing Apparatus Refresher’ annually to maintain currency.
Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Cat 1 FESA 0068
Purpose
To provide emergency service personal
with the knowledge and skills to safely
and expeditiously locate and remove
trapped and often, injured victims from
partially or totally collapsed structures
or environments, and provide emergency
medical care.
Course content• Introduction to USAR, PPE and equipment.
• USAR taskforces and teams.
• Hazards and safe working practices.
• Building classification, construction and collapse patterns.
• Search and rescue.
• Rescue operations.
• Conclude rescue operation.
Duration1 day. Combined theory and practical.
Requires completion of pre-course theory questionnaire
Prerequisites Participants must have successfully completed:
• PUAEME001 – ‘Provide emergency care’
or
• HLTFA201 – ‘Provide Basic Emergency Life Support’.
Note: Successful completion of this course will provide participants with PUASAR022A
– ‘Participate in a Rescue Operation’ and PUASAR023 – ‘Participate in Urban
Search and Rescue Category 1’.
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 39
Specialty Training/Electives
Marine Fire Support (development commenced)
Marine Fire Assessment and Containment (development commenced)
Proposed Purpose
To provide volunteer firefighters in Marine
Fire Support (MFS) Brigades with the
knowledge and skills to support a career
Marine Fire Assessment and Suppression
Capability (MFASC) Brigade at a marine
fire alongside a wharf. These Brigades are
not expected to enter interior areas on a
burning vessel.
Proposed Purpose
To provide Volunteer Firefighters in Marine
Fire Assessment and Containment (MFAC)
Brigades with the knowledge and skills
to conduct initial response to a marine
fire alongside a wharf by assessing the
incident complexities and containing the
fire by securing any holds, cabins or parts
of the ship until additional resources and
expertise is mobilised.
Proposed Course Content
• Basic vessel design and operations.
• Tanks and containers.
• Fixed fire suppression systems on vessels.
• Ship crew organisation.
• Safety and hazards.
• Temperature monitoring.
• Use of ship to shore connection.
• Boundary cooling.
• Stability.
• Marine Firefighting SOPs, roles and responsibilities.
• Practical exercises using equipment from the ‘Ship Firefighting Cache’.
Proposed Duration1 day. Combined theory and practical.
Proposed PrerequisitesA participant must:
• be a member of a Marine Fire Support (MFS) Brigade or Marine Fire Assessment
and Containment (MFAC) Brigade
and
• hold a current VFTP Breathing Apparatus qualification.
Proposed course content• Operation of fixed systems.
• CO2 use and equipment (on-board equipment only).
• Gas and temperature monitoring.
• Search, rescue and extrication.
• Combat emergency.
• Shipboard emergency response.
• Ship visit (where practicable).
• Marine Firefighting SOPs, roles and responsibilities.
• Practical exercises using equipment from the ‘Ship Firefighting Cache’.
Proposed Duration1 day. Combined theory and practical.
Proposed Prerequisites Participants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Breathing Apparatus’.
Previous Training and ExperienceA participant must:
• be a member of a Marine Fire Assessment and Containment (MFAC) Brigade
and
• hold a current VFTP Breathing Apparatus qualification
and
• have successfully completed VFTP ‘Marine Fire Support’.
40 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information
Specialty Training/Electives
Building Protection Systems (development not yet commenced)
Purpose
To provide volunteer firefighters with the
knowledge and skills to utilise appropriate
fire detection and suppression equipment.
It is primarily aimed at brigades that
support FRS career stations in the country.
Proposed course content• Structural hazards at large, complex incidents.
• Fire detection equipment, alarms, detectors and sprinklers systems
• Rescue techniques in complex structural incident situations.
• Ventilation/air handling techniques
DurationApproximately 1 day but is yet to be determined.
Combined theory and practical.
Prerequisites Participants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Breathing Apparatus’.
Previous Training and ExperienceA participant will gain maximum benefit from this course if they have:
• successfully completed VFTP ‘Advanced Structural Firefighting’
and
• been an active brigade member for at least two to three years.
Discovering the Leader in You FESA 0136
Purpose
To provide a leadership skills training
program for key volunteers.
Course content• Leadership and management.
• Motivation.
• Communication/interpersonal skills and EEO/diversity.
• Decision-making and problem-solving.
• Team-building and group dynamics.
• Conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
• Delegation.
• Organisational skills.
Duration2 days.
Combined theory and table-top group exercises.
Previous Training and ExperienceA participant will gain maximum benefit from this course if they have:
• been an active brigade member for two to three years
and
• performed or undertaken a key position in the brigade (e.g. Lieutenant or
Captain) or will in the future.
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 41
Specialty Training/Electives
Engaging your Community for their Safety FESA code not available at time of publication
Purpose
To provide volunteers with practical skills
and knowledge to plan and undertake
community engagement activities within
their local community.
Proposed course content• What is community engagement?
• Why is engagement important for community safety?
• How to plan an effective engagement activity.
• How to deliver and effective engagement activity.
• How to evaluate whether your activity lead to a safer community.
DurationOne day.
PrerequisitesIt is recommended that participants have read the FESA Community Engagement
Framework prior to attending.
Contact
For additional course information and availabilities call the Manager Community
Safety: (08) 9323 9880.
Training and Assessment: Trainer Course Trainer: FESA 0300
Purpose
To provide volunteer firefighters with the
basic skills to allow them to effectively
deliver training using pre-prepared
materials.
Course contentTAADEL301: Provide training through instruction
and demonstration of work skillsThis unit covers the skills required to provide instruction and demonstration of
work skills using existing learning resources, in a safe and comfortable learning
environment, and to determine the effectiveness of both the training provided and
their own performance as a trainer.
This unit has been developed to support a wide range of applications across any
workplace setting and therefore can be used by any organisation.
Duration2 days if conducted by FESA, and requires pre- and post-course assignments.
Prerequisites Participants should have:
• successfully completed VFTP ‘Introduction to Firefighting’ and VFTP ‘Bush Fire
Firefighting’
and
• been an active brigade member for three to four years
• agreed to deliver training in their region.
Note: If the ‘Trainer Course’ is conducted by an external training provider it will
probably include TAADEL402 ‘Facilitate group-based learning’ and be of 3
days duration.
42 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information
Specialty Training/Electives
Training and Assessment: Assessor Course Assessor: FESA 0301
Purpose
To provide volunteer firefighters with
a recognised qualification that permits
them to assess up to nationally recognised
training standards, using pre-prepared
assessment material.
Course content
TAAASS401: Plan and organise assessmentThis unit specifies the competence required to plan and organise an assessment in
any competency-based assessment system.
TAAASS402: Assess competenceThis unit addresses the competence required to conduct competency assessment in
accordance with a pre-developed assessment plan. It may occur following training
or as an assessment only, when training has been delivered by other persons, or as
part of skills recognition.
TAAASS404: Participate in assessment validationThis unit addresses the competence required to participate in an assessment
validation process. This involves discussion with other assessors and the provision of
feedback on assessment processes to FESA Training and Development staff.
Duration2 days if conducted by FESA, and requires pre- and post-course assignments.
Prerequisites Participants should have:
• successfully completed VFTP ‘Introduction to Firefighting’ and VFTP ‘Bush Fire
Firefighting’
and
• been an active brigade member for three to four years
• agreed to deliver training in their region.
Note: If the ‘Assessor Course’ is conducted by an external training provider it will probably
include TAAASS403 ‘Develop assessment tools’ and be of 3 days duration.
Brigade Management & Brigade Administration (development not yet commenced)
Purpose
To provide volunteers with the knowledge
and skills to effectively manage and
provide administrative services to a
volunteer brigade/unit. Usually relevant for
brigade secretaries and office bearers.
Proposed course content• Brigade management.
• Brigade administration.
• Regulations, local laws, constitutions.
• Meetings, minutes and correspondence.
• Emergency Service Levy (ESL).
DurationApproximately 1 day.
Previous Training and ExperienceA participant will gain maximum benefit from this course if they have:
• successfully completed VFTP ‘Introduction to Firefighting’.
and
• been an active brigade member for two to three years.
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 43
Specialty Training/Electives
Confined Space Rescue (development not yet commenced
Purpose
To provide volunteer firefighters with the
knowledge and skills to undertake rescue
in confined spaces as a member of a single
agency or multi-disciplinary team.
Proposed course content• Assess and manage confined space rescue.
• Atmospheric monitoring.
• Ventilation techniques.
• Rope rescue tripod.
• Removing casualties.
• Concluding rescue operations.
DurationApproximately 4 days but is yet to be determined.
Combined theory and practical.
Proposed prerequisites Participants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Breathing Apparatus’.
Note: Although there is no specific CSR course developed for Volunteers, specialised
training can be organised for selected brigades who have the CSR capability.
Maintain Safety at a FESA Incident Scene FESA 0529
Purpose
To provide ‘non-operational’ FESA staff,
volunteers and personnel (e.g. media
who may be required to attend an
operational incident or personnel who
provide a support role) with an overview
and understanding of the protocols and
procedures utilised at an operational
incident.
Course content• A framework for safety in whole of life.
• The FESA workplace.
• Incident types managed by FESA.
• Applying the framework for safety at an incident.
Duration2·5 hours.
Theory only.
Prerequisites There are no prerequisites as this is only an information session.
44 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information
Specialty Training/Electives
Respond to Aircraft Incidents (development not yet commenced)
Proposed Purpose
To provide volunteer firefighters with
the appropriate skills and knowledge to
undertake the special requirements for
aircraft firefighting.
Proposed course content• Aircraft design and materials.
• Aircraft hazards.
• Pre incident requirements.
• Emergency response.
• SOPs and aerodrome emergency procedures.
• Firefighting at aircraft incidents.
• Military aircraft incidents.
• Rescue and evacuation considerations.
• Post incident discipline.
Proposed DurationApproximately 2–4 days theory and practical but is yet to be determined.
Proposed PrerequisitesParticipants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Structural Firefighting’.
Previous Training and ExperienceA participant will gain maximum benefit from this course if they have:
• successfully completed VFTP ‘Breathing Apparatus’
• successfully completed VFTP ‘Hazmat’
and
• been an active brigade member for two to three years.
Aircraft Incidents Awareness FESA 0541L1
Purpose
To provide volunteer firefighters with
an overview and awareness of aircraft
incidents with the emphasis being on
safety and not necessarily on suppression.
It is primarily designed for brigades
responding to aircraft incidents outside
the airport boundaries.
Course content
• Agency overview.
• Hazard awareness and PPE.
• Responding to and reporting aircraft incidents.
Duration
• Approximately 90 minutes.
Prerequisites
There are no formal prerequisites to attend this course.
Previous Training and ExperienceA participant will gain maximum benefit from this course if they have:
• successfully completed VFTP ‘Introduction to Bush Fire Firefighting’
or
• VFTP ‘Bush Fire Firefighting’
or
• PUAOHS001 (for SES participants).
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 45
Specialty Training/Electives
WAERN Basic Radio Use FESA 0452
WAERN Advanced Radio Use FESA 0453
Purpose
To provide volunteers with the basic
knowledge and skills to operate the TAIT
TM8260 Dual band radio.
Purpose
To provide volunteers with advanced
knowledge and skills to operate the TAIT
TM8260 Dual band radio and VHF/UHF
handheld portables.
Course Content
• Basic operation of dual band radio.
• Practical activity.
Duration
2 hours.
Prerequisites
Volunteer Firefighter participants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘Bush Fire Firefighting’
or
• the equivalent VTEC or BFS core brigade training modules.
Note: Prerequisites will be different for other participants (e.g. SES volunteers and
career firefighters).
Previous Training and Experience
A participant will gain maximum benefit from this course if they have a sound
knowledge of their agency radio protocols prior to commencement.
Course Content
• Advanced use of radio.
• Use and operation of the Vertex VX829 handheld radio.
• Basic communication planning.
• Practical activity.
Duration
2.5 hours.
Prerequisites
Volunteer Firefighter participants must have successfully completed:
• VFTP ‘WAERN Basic Radio Use’ (FESA 0452)
• VFTP ‘Bush Fire Firefighting’
or
• the equivalent VTEC or BFS core brigade training modules.
Note: Prerequisites will be different for other participants (e.g. SES volunteers and
career firefighters).
Previous Training and Experience
A participant will gain maximum benefit from this course if they have a sound
knowledge of their agency radio protocols prior to commencement.
46 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information
Notes
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 47
INCIDENT MANAGEMENT PATHWAYS
48 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information
Incident Management Pathways
The Professional Pathways Project was commissioned by the FESA
CEO in December 2011 to define a vision for sharing the rank/
role-based competency development framework that was more
integrated across the functional groups within FESA and included
key leadership skills. This also contained a focus on a structured
incident management pathway for staff and volunteers.
The project identified nine key issues in the final report presented
to the Corporate Leadership Team (CLT) on April 20, 2012. Five
solutions were recommended in priority order as a means to
rectify the concerns with training at FESA and the capability of
Professional Development Directorate (PDD) to manage it. The
CLT endorsed the framework in principle and a business case for
creating an Operating Model was presented to the CLT on May 15,
2012 as a foundation basis.
The restructure of the Professional Development Directorate at the
FESA Training Centre supports the outcomes of this project.
Once complete, the model will align technical training, common
leadership and incident management training to provide consistent,
quality and a “one FESA” training culture that will assist in creating
a quality model for the future.
FESA Professional Pathways
One of the initiatives is to provide visibility to the courses on offer
to all FESA personnel online.
While there is significant work still to be undertaken, the efforts of
those that assisted in getting this critical project to this point are
acknowledged.
The Professional Development Team at FTC is working to develop
programs for:
• Promotional Pathways
• Incident Management Pathways
• Personal Development.
The creation of programs will take considerable time but as
products are developed, they will be implemented and published on
the FESA Intranet and Volunteer Portal through the FESA Training
Calendar link.
For further information please contact
Superintendent Professional Pathways on 9454 0777.
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 49
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q1 What is a “brigade profile” and what impact does
this have on individual volunteers?
A1 A Brigade Profile essentially describes details, functions
or operational jobs/tasks that a brigade can undertake
in the community. It may also specify minimum/profile
numbers required to do certain functions. These jobs/
tasks may then align to specific individual Operational
Role Requirements.
Q2 What is an “Operational Role Requirement” (ORR)?
A2 An ORR relates to a specific role/function that an
individual can perform within the profile of their
brigade (e.g. Bush Fire Firefighter, Structural Firefighter,
On-road Driver).
Q3 I am a Bush Fire Brigade Volunteer Firefighter and
I have completed the Bush Firefighter Modules 1–9.
Are these the same as the Induction, Introduction
to Firefighting and the Bush Fire Firefighting
Training Programs?
A3 Yes, they are equivalent and may be used for brigade
profiling.
Q4 I am a Fire & Rescue Service Volunteer Firefighter
and I have completed the VTEC Certificate in
‘Introduction to Firefighting’ and ‘Firefighting
Operations’. Are these the same as the ‘Volunteer
Firefighter Induction’, ‘Introduction to Firefighting’
and ‘Bush Fire Firefighting’ Training Programs?
A4 No, there is a small training gap (Map Reading)—refer
to “Transitional Pathway” (Annex A1) for existing FRS
Volunteers. Once this training gap has been achieved
your total combined training will be recognised with
a Record of Attendance for ‘Volunteer Firefighter
Induction’ and a Record of Completion for the training
programs ‘Introduction to Firefighting’ and ‘Bush Fire
Firefighting’.
Note: Achieving the ‘training gap’ will be important
in meeting the future training prerequisites of more
advanced training courses.
Q5 How long will FESA continue to recognise existing
Training Programs (VTEC & BFS).
A5 FESA will continue (for the foreseeable future) to
recognise existing training as it relates to brigade
profiling requirements, as long as there is evidence of
the participant maintaining currency.
Q6 If I have completed a combination of FESA training
and/or training from other organisations, how can I
obtain recognition in the new training program?
A6 Skills Recognition Process or through a Challenge
Assessment process—‘one-on-one validation’. Refer to
Volunteer extranet for more information.
Q7 How do I proceed to the optional pathway to
gain National Competencies for ‘Introduction to
Firefighting’ and ‘Bush Fire Firefighting’?
A7 After successful completion of the relevant training
programs or credit transfer from the old/existing
training programs, refer to the Obtaining National
Competencies booklet available from your FESA
Regional/District Office and undertake the Operational
Tasks and Activities.
Q8 Who can deliver the new Training Programs?
A8 Endorsed Trainer/Assessors (as per the process outlined
in the FESA Training Procedures Manual).
Note: FRS volunteers may only be able to deliver
training but Bush Fire Brigade Volunteers can deliver
and assess, providing they have the vocational and
training competencies as outlined in the FESA Training
Procedures Manual.
Q9 How do I obtain a copy of the Obtaining National Competencies booklet?
A9 Contact your Brigade Captain, Local Government Fire
Training Coordinator or Regional/District Operational
Services Manager.
Q10 What is the Volunteer Training and Education
Curriculum (VTEC)?
A10 The Fire and Rescue Service’s Volunteer Training and
Education Curriculum (VTEC) was in place when FESA
was formed in 1999. It consisted of course subjects
making up a set of skills determined to be necessary
for FRS Volunteers. VTEC contained additional specialist
training courses to meet statutory responsibilities
(e.g. ‘Breathing Apparatus’, ‘Road Crash Rescue’ and
‘Hazmat’). VTEC is no longer delivered and has been
replaced by the Volunteer Firefighter Training Program
(VFTP). See Annex A1 for transitioning from VTEC to
VFTP.
Q11 What are the Core Brigade Training Programs?
A11 The Bush Fire Service’s Core Brigade Training Programs
had been extensively developed prior to the formation
of FESA. The programs consisted of courses based
on an agency specific Firefighter course (a nationally
recognised short course) followed by higher level
courses based on selected AFAC competencies plus
agency specific higher level courses. The Core Brigade
Training Programs are no longer delivered and are
replaced by the Volunteer Firefighter Training Program
(VFTP). See Annex A for transitioning from Core Brigade
Training Programs to VFTP.
Record of Completion ‘Introduction to
Bush Fire Firefighting’
Record of Completion ‘Introduction to
Firefighting’ and
‘Bush Fire Firefighting’
FirefighterModules
1. Safety and Survival2. Wildfire Behaviour3. Wildfire Suppression
Firefighter Modules
1. Safety and Survival 2. Wildfire Behaviour 3. Wildfire Suppression 5. Organisation and Chain of Command
Firefighter Modules
1. Safety and Survival 4. Communications 5. Organisation and Chain of Command 9. Hydrants and Hoses
Firefighter Modules
1. Safety and Survival 2. Wildfire Behaviour 3. Wildfire Suppression 6. Map Reading 8. Handtools
Firefighter Modules
1. Safety and Survival2. Wildfire Behaviour3. Wildfire Suppression4. Communications5. Organisation and Chain of Command6. Map Reading7. Driving8. Handtools
Complete training for:
• Induction (Optional)• Maps A (Optional)• Comms A (Optional)• Incident Command & Control
Equivalent to:
‘Introduction to Bush Fire Firefighting’
• Use and Maintain Equipment (part of the VFTP ‘Introduction to Firefighting’ course)
Complete training for:Equivalent to:
‘Bush Fire Firefighting’ ing’
Equivalent to:
‘Introduction to Firefighting’
Equivalent to‘Structural Firefighting’
Firefighter Modules 1. Safety and Survival2. Wildfire Behaviour3. Wildfire Suppression4. Communications5. Organisation and Chain of Command6. Map Reading7. Driving8. Handtools9. Hydrants and Hoses10. Introduction to Structural Firefighting11. Fire Extinguishers12. Ropes, Lines and Ladders
Equivalent to‘Introduction to Structural Firefighting’
Firefighter Modules 1. Safety and Survival2. Wildfire Behaviour3. Wildfire Suppression4. Communications5. Organisation and Chain of Command6. Map Reading7. Driving8. Handtools9. Hydrants and Hoses10. Introduction to Structural Firefighting11. Fire Extinguishers
Equivalent to‘Introduction to Firefighting’ and ‘Bush Fire Firefighting’
Firefighter Modules 1. Safety and Survival2. Wildfire Behaviour3. Wildfire Suppression4. Communications5. Organisation and Chain of Command6. Map Reading7. Driving8. Handtools9. Hydrants and Hoses
Equivalent toVFTP ‘Advanced Bush Fire Firefighting
2.28 ‘Wildfire Behaviour 2’and 2.29 ‘Wildfire Suppression 2’
Modules 1–12 are no longer available to be delivered. The replacement programs are VFTP ‘Induction’, ‘Introduction to Firefighting’and ‘Structural Firefighting’.
NOTE:
50 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information
Annex AVolunteer Firefighter Training Program (VFTP)
Transitional Pathway for existing Bush Fire Brigade Volunteers
Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information 51
Introduction to Firefighting(VTEC)
Record of Completion‘Introduction to Bush Fire Firefighting’
Record of Completion‘Introduction to Firefighting’ and ‘Bush Fire Firefighting’
• Introduction to Firefighting
Introduction to Firefighting(VTEC)
• Introduction to Firefighting• Wildfire Behaviour and Suppression
Firefighting Operations(VTEC)
• Firefighting Operations
and must have completed:
• Introduction to Firefighting• Wildfire Behaviour and Suppression
Complete training for:
• Bush Fire Safety Awareness• Bush Fire Behaviour• Bush Fire Suppression• Incident Command & Control**
Complete training for:
• Incident Command & Control** • Map Reading• Incident Command & Control• Radio Communications• Map Reading
Complete training for:Complete training for:
If a person has completed any of the following training courses, they meet the requirements for Incident Command and Control:
**NOTE: VTEC ‘Introduction to Firefighting’ and ‘Wildfire Behaviour and Suppression’ are no longer available to be delivered. The replacement programs are VFTP ‘Induction’, ‘Introduction to Firefighting’and ‘Structural Firefighting’.
NOTE:
• ‘Introduction to ICS’ or ‘AIIMS Awareness’• ‘Fire and Incident Operations (3.04)’• ‘ICS (4.04)’ or ‘Introduction to AIIMS’• VTEC ‘Incident Command and Leadership’
VTEC ‘Introduction to Firefighting’ VTEC ‘Introduction to Firefighting’PLUS
VTEC ‘Firefighting Operations’
Equivalent toVFTP ‘Structural Firefighting’
(FESA 0404E)
VTEC ‘Vehicle Rescue’
Equivalent toVFTP ‘Road Crash Rescue’
VTEC ‘Breathing Apparatus’
Equivalent toVFTP ‘Breathing Apparatus’
and VFTP ‘Entry Control Officer’
Complete training for:• Incident Command and Control• Radio Communications(part of the VFTP ‘Introduction to Firefighting’ courses)
Complete ‘gap’ training for:• VFTP ‘Structural Firefighting’ (FESA 0413)
Record of CompletionVFTP ‘Introduction to
Firefighting’
Record of CompletionVFTP ‘Structural Firefighting’
(FESA 0404D)
VTEC ‘Hazmat’
Equivalent toVFTP ‘Hazmat’
Annex A1Volunteer Firefighter Training Program (VFTP)
Transitional Pathway for existing Fire and Rescue Service Volunteers
Notes
52 Volunteer Firefighter Training Program — Course Information