Training and development
Firefighters must be well-trained, skilled, and knowledgeable if they are to work safely and effectively in the wide range of operational incidents they are called upon to attend.
Full training is provided and on-call firefighters are trained to deal with the same situations and incidents as full time firefighters. This includes how to use the latest equipment and techniques to undertake a wide range of duties from firefighting to animal rescues and from floods to road traffic collisions.
Initial training gives new on-call firefighters the necessary basic core competencies to enable them to safely attend incidents. Training is delivered in a number of modules spread out over the first three years of service – although some on-call firefighters are able to complete the programme more quickly than this.
The main modules undertaken are:
- On-call firefighter initial
- Breathing apparatus initial
- Fire behaviour and tactical firefighting development
- Tactical ventilation (PPV) initial
- Road traffic collision (RTC) development
- Hazardous materials and environmental protection
- Safe working at height, level 1
- Water rescue
- Manual handling
- Radio communication
After successfully passing your two-week induction, you will become a development on-call firefighter.
Ongoing training involves on-call firefighters attending their station for a two-hour drill (training) period once a week during the evening. After successfully completing on-call development programme, on-call firefighters have the opportunity to undertake courses, both internally and externally, to broaden their existing knowledge of firefighting and rescue.
Development Opportunities
Within WFRS there is a clear career progression route, as follows:
- Trainee Firefighter
- Development Firefighter (after successful completion of Induction course)
- Competent Firefighter (after three years of service)
- Crew Manager
- Watch Manager